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Braces have many different parts that make them work properly, so it’s only normal that we get tons of questions about them. One of our most asked questions is about rubber bands and their purpose in your orthodontic treatment. At Smiles from the Hart, we love educating our patients so that they can make informed decisions and understand how their treatment works to get them the smile they’ve always wanted.
Understanding How Elastics Work
Let’s start by explaining how these tiny rubber bands work and how they benefit your teeth and your braces. Elastics can play a vital role in your treatment by:
- Improving Treatment Efficiency: Elastics apply gentle, consistent pressure, helping speed up the orthodontic process and potentially reducing the overall time you need to wear braces.
- Aiding Tooth Movement: They assist in moving teeth in ways that braces alone can’t, such as bringing teeth closer together or adjusting their vertical position.
- Correcting Bite Issues: Elastics help realign teeth and jaws by connecting specific brackets or hooks, addressing overbites, underbites, and crossbites to improve your bite alignment.
Tips for Wearing Your Elastics
Dr. Hart and our team have gathered some valuable information to help you stay on track when it comes to wearing your elastics, as they need your active participation to be effective!
- Follow Our Guidance: We’ll give you detailed instructions on precisely where and how to place your elastics, as well as how often they need to be changed out.
- Remove Elastics When Eating: It’s really important to remove your elastics while eating to avoid damage or food getting caught. Replace them with fresh elastics right after meals, and always avoid gum or sticky foods that can dislodge them.
- Replace Elastics Regularly: Since elastics lose their effectiveness over time, make sure to replace them as advised—typically two to four times a day or whenever they break. Keep extras on hand in your orthodontic travel kit for quick replacements.
- Attach Elastics Properly: Wash your hands before placing elastics to avoid introducing bacteria to your mouth. Patients typically use a mirror to guide proper placement by hooking them onto the correct brackets, and if needed, use tweezers or a small hook for better accuracy. Ask us for help if you’re having trouble with this step!
- Know Your Configuration: Elastics can be arranged in various configurations, like triangles or straight lines, depending on what needs correcting (e.g., overbite, underbite). Maintaining the perfect placement is crucial for achieving your desired results.
- Monitor for Problems: If an elastic breaks or you run out, contact our office right away if you can. Don’t skip wearing them for extended periods, as it can significantly delay progress. You also shouldn’t experience significant discomfort, so let us know if any pain is present.
- Wear Them Consistently: Consistency is important to your treatment’s success! Some patients need to wear elastics all day, while others only need them at night, so be sure to follow Dr. Hart’s instructions closely.
Common Questions About Elastics
Finally, here are a few additional questions you might have about using your elastics during your orthodontic treatment.
Q: Can I reuse a previous set of elastics?
- No, elastics lose their strength over time and shouldn’t be reused. Reusing them is also pretty unhygienic!
Q: Can I play sports or exercise while wearing elastics?
- Yes, you can generally continue your physical activities with elastics on. However, if you or your child regularly plays contact sports, it’s wise to remove them while wearing a mouthguard to prevent breakage.
Q: Are elastics the same for everyone?
- No—elastics vary in size, thickness, strength, and color, depending on your individual treatment plan’s needs. We’ll provide the right elastics tailored to you!
Q: Are elastics noticeable?
- They don’t have to be! This really depends on the color and the size. They’ll probably be slightly visible when you speak or smile, but it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Q: What if I’m allergic to latex?
- If you have a latex allergy, our team should be made aware prior to the start of treatment. Our office offers latex-free elastics, so we’ll ensure those are in use.
Q: How will I know when to stop wearing my elastics?
- We’ll let you know when it’s time to stop wearing them; it’s important not to try and make that call on your own, even if your teeth appear aligned.
Putting in the Work
It’s totally natural to have questions about the various components of your braces when you’re starting orthodontic treatment. That’s where we come in! Remember, our Smiles are from the Hart, and we’re here to support you every step of the way at our Murfreesboro office. Want to know exactly why our patients rave about us? Take a look at some of their testimonials before your visit!