Do you have braces? If so, you know that one of the most important things to do is keep your rubber bands in good condition. Rubber bands help straighten your teeth, correct bite issues, and in some cases can even speed up your treatment. Today the team at Shiney Smiles Orthodontics is here to walk through the many benefits of rubber bands for your braces.
The short answer. Rubber bands, also called elastics, connect your upper and lower braces to apply extra force in a specific direction. That added pull moves teeth and lines up your bite in ways the brackets and wire cannot do on their own, which is why they are key to correcting overbites and underbites.
What Are Orthodontic Rubber Bands?
Rubber bands, or ligatures, are elastic bands used to add tension to your braces. They connect one part of your braces to another and help guide your teeth in the right direction. Depending on what Dr. Sheinis has prescribed, you may need different types of rubber bands to keep your treatment progressing on track.
Why Do You Wear Rubber Bands With Braces?
Brackets and wires are excellent at straightening individual teeth, but they cannot fully fix the way your upper and lower jaws come together. That is the job rubber bands do. By stretching between the top and bottom braces, they add targeted force that pulls your bite into the right relationship. This is how we correct issues like overbites and underbites, close gaps, and get your teeth to fit together comfortably when you bite down.
The Different Types of Rubber Bands
At Shiney Smiles we use a range of ligatures to support your appliances and keep them as effective as possible.
Oties
These tiny rubber bands do much more than give you or your kids a colorful smile. Oties attach the brackets to your archwire, which helps apply steady pressure to your teeth. Dr. Sheinis changes these at your appointments so your braces keep enough pressure to keep shifting your teeth into place.
Power Chains
Power chains are several bands connected into one continuous chain. Because they move several teeth at once, they are great for closing gaps or straightening out crowded smiles. They also come in different colors and sizes depending on what you need.
Elastics
Elastics are the larger rubber bands that increase tension on your archwire so it can move your teeth more efficiently. Dr. Sheinis may prescribe these when you need to correct a bite issue or close a gap between teeth. These are the ones you take in and out yourself each day.
The Benefits of Orthodontic Rubber Bands
Working rubber bands into your treatment helps make sure your teeth end up correctly aligned. By creating tension, they guide your teeth into the right position and help maintain proper spacing so everything fits together and looks its best. They are also essential for correcting bite issues like overbites and underbites. And our favorite benefit of all, when worn consistently they can help you see your new smile sooner.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Rubber Bands
Our team wants you to get every bit of value out of your braces and rubber bands, so we always recommend the following.
- Change them frequently. As you move your jaw throughout the day, your rubber bands lose tension. A good rule of thumb is to swap in a fresh pair after every meal.
- Wear them all day. Unless you are eating or brushing, keep your elastics in at all times so your treatment stays on track.
- Follow Dr. Sheinis’s instructions. Every treatment is different, so stick to the wear times and pattern he gives you.
- Be patient. The first few days can leave your mouth and jaw a little sore. That passes. The discomfort is just your teeth getting used to the new tension, and every day you wear them gets you closer to your new smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do rubber bands on braces do?
Rubber bands, also called elastics, connect your upper and lower braces to apply extra force in a specific direction. That added pressure helps move teeth and line up your bite in ways the brackets and wire cannot do on their own. They are a key part of correcting overbites, underbites and crossbites.
Why do orthodontists use rubber bands with braces?
Brackets and wires are great at straightening individual teeth, but they cannot fully fix how your upper and lower jaws meet. Rubber bands add targeted pull between the two arches, which corrects your bite and helps everything fit together properly. Dr. Sheinis prescribes them based on what your bite needs.
How long do you have to wear rubber bands each day?
For most patients the answer is close to all the time. You should wear your elastics 24 hours a day and only take them out to eat, brush and floss. The more consistent you are, the faster your treatment moves, so try not to leave them out for long stretches.
Do rubber bands for braces hurt?
The first few days can feel sore as your mouth adjusts to the new tension, and that is completely normal. The ache usually settles within a few days. Soft foods and an over the counter pain reliever help. If the soreness sticks around longer than a week, give our office a call.
What happens if you don’t wear your rubber bands?
Skipping your elastics is one of the most common reasons treatment slows down. Without that steady pull your bite stops correcting, and stopping and starting can make your teeth sore each time you put them back in. Wearing them consistently is the fastest way to finish on schedule.
Do rubber bands move your teeth or your jaw?
A bit of both. Rubber bands mainly guide the position of your teeth and the way your upper and lower teeth meet. In growing children and teens they can also help influence how the jaws line up. Dr. Sheinis places them in specific patterns depending on the movement you need.
Does everyone with braces need rubber bands?
No. Not every treatment plan calls for elastics. They are added when your bite needs correcting or when certain teeth need extra help moving. If Dr. Sheinis prescribes them, it is because they will get you a better result, so it is worth wearing them exactly as directed.
Can you eat with rubber bands on?
You should take your rubber bands out before meals. Eating with them in can cause them to snap or stretch out, which stops them applying the right pressure. Pop them out to eat, then put a fresh pair in once you have brushed. Carrying spares makes this easy when you are at school or work.
Get Your Smile Shining With Rubber Bands
At Shiney Smiles Orthodontics, we lean on rubber bands to help you get the most out of your treatment. Dr. Sheinis and our team are here to help you enjoy your new smile as soon as possible. If you want to know more about what to expect day to day, take a look at our guide to life with braces and why regular adjustments keep everything on track. Have a question about your braces journey? Contact us today or schedule your free consultation.