Why Do I Need to Wear Rubber Bands on My Braces?

Wearing braces is not without its bells and whistles. Sometimes, you might need a palatal expander, or headgear to go along with them, while other times you might need to wear some strategically placed rubber bands. The important thing to understand about orthodontics is that much like your smile, your treatment is constantly changing.

If you’ve been prescribed rubber bands by your orthodontist, here are a few ways this addition may help guide your treatment on the right path!

Why Did My Orthodontist Recommend Rubber Bands for my Braces?

Did you know that all traditional braces already have rubber bands on them? The ones that everyone has are called ligatures. These are wrapped around each bracket and help hold the arch wire in place. Occasionally, your orthodontist may recommend interarch rubber bands, which are hooked to your upper and lower jaw to help fix the alignment of your jaw and bite.

Quite the Stretch: Interarch Elastics

If your orthodontist has recommended interarch elastics, you will need to wear one on each side of your mouth. These hook onto four brackets: two on your top canines, and two on your bottom molars.

While you cannot change your own ligatures, you can and should change your interarch elastics. Your orthodontist will supply you with them along with a handy tool to help make taking them on and off easy. You’ll need to do this each time you eat or brush your teeth, or if one snaps or falls off.

Best Practices for Interarch Elastics

The good news about interarch elastics is that they don’t take long to get used to. Here’s how to make the transition as easy as possible:

• While it’s nice to have an attachment tool, it’s still possible to put your interarch elastics on without one. To do this, stand in front of a mirror and use both your index finger and thumb to stretch them over the appropriate brackets.
• Always keep a few extra rubber bands on you, including to school, the gym, work, dinner or anywhere else. If you have an extra attachment too, bring that along, too.
• Be sure to replace both of your rubber bands daily, and at the same time. If you lose or break one, replace them both, as this will ensure that their tension is even.
• Only use the rubber bands provided by your orthodontist, as this will ensure that they are the correct size and tension
• Take your rubber bands off when you eat or brush your teeth and replace them with new ones when you are finished.

Remember, wearing rubber bands on your teeth isn’t always necessary for every patient, but rest assured that if your orthodontist recommends them that they are an important step in your treatment. Thus, be sure to wear them exactly as instructed, and your beautiful smile will be ready before you know it!

About Our Practice

At Serenity Orthodontics, our team is always thinking on their feet about finding ways to make your treatment faster and more effective. That’s why occasionally we may add things like rubber bands to your treatment. After all, why wait longer for the smile of your dreams if you don’t have to!

If you’re ready to improve your bite and showcase your gorgeous grin, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website.