Braces do a lot to fix your smile, but sometimes they need a little help. A misaligned jaw needs more than pressure to put it back in place. That’s when we use rubber bands for braces.
Fergus Orthodontics employs rubber bands for braces to realign your jaws. This reduces tooth wear, jaw pain, speech problems and other issues that can get worse over time. But not everyone needs braces rubber bands during their orthodontic treatment.
Will you need orthodontic rubber bands? How do you wear rubber bands for braces, and for how long? Let’s look at what elastic braces for braces do and how they help improve your oral health.
What Are Braces Rubber Bands?
What do you think of when we talk about rubber bands for braces? Traditional metal braces and clear braces use elastics, but the elastic bands for braces that go around braces brackets are different from the orthodontic elastics that go from your upper jaw to your lower one and realign your bite.
If they don’t move your jaws, then what do elastics on braces do? The small, colored elastics hold the archwire to your braces brackets. This allows the archwire to apply gentle pressure to your teeth, which moves them into place. These orthodontic elastics are very strong and are put on and taken off during your orthodontic office visits.
The orthodontic elastic for braces rubber bands stretches more and can be placed and removed by the patient. Rubber bands apply additional pressure to your jaw, depending on your specific treatment plan.
These bands are nontoxic and safe — even if you accidentally swallow one! The rubber bands should be worn according to how we prescribe. We’ll show you when you first get your new rubber bands.
What Do Rubber Bands Do for Braces?
The braces rubber bands realign your jaws so your teeth line up properly. Shifted teeth do not make contact properly, which means they tend to wear down faster. A misaligned bite can also cause problems chewing and speaking, as well as jaw pain and headaches.
Braces rubber bands pull your jaws pack into alignment, reducing tooth wear and making it easier to bite and chew.
Types of Rubber Bands for Braces
There are three main types of rubber bands, called classes. Each class has a specific task, and the classes usually differ in size and thickness of the rubber band. Here are the three types of braces rubber bands.
- Class I Elastics: Connect the upper first or second molar to the upper canine. They are used to close gaps between teeth.
- Class II Elastics: Connect the upper jaw and lower jaw. They are used to pull the upper teeth back and the lower jaw forward to repair overbites.
- Class III Elastics: Connect the upper teeth to the lower teeth to repair underbites by moving the bottom teeth back and pulling the upper teeth forward.
You may only use one type, or you may use all three. You may not need any rubber bands during your treatment. It depends on how misaligned your bite is, and it is something we will determine during your first visit to Fergus Orthodontics.
How to Wear Rubber Bands for Braces
How do you wear rubber bands for braces? You will have braces brackets with tiny hooks on them. The bands will stretch from one hook to another, depending on the class you’re wearing.
You will need to wear your bands at least 22 hours a day for them to be fully effective. You may remove them for flossing and brushing your teeth and to eat. Be sure to throw them away.
Never put used rubber bands back into your mouth! You could be adding germs to your mouth unnecessarily.
You should have plenty of rubber bands to get you to your next office visit. If not, give us a call. We can always get more for you! Never wait until you run out.
We usually only prescribe rubber bands for a portion of your treatment. Many patients only wear them a few weeks or months within the treatment. Be sure to wear your rubber bands exactly as prescribed. Never double them in an attempt to wear them for a shorter time.
Are Rubber Bands for Braces Safe to Use?
We mentioned that dental rubber bands are safe and nontoxic. However, most of them are made of latex. If you have a latex allergy, let us know right away. There are latex-free versions of these elastics that we can prescribe to you instead.
Are braces rubber bands safe if you swallow them? The answer is yes. They should pass through your system, though they won’t be digested. However, don’t make a habit of swallowing them, or it could lead to a blockage.
If you have any abdominal pain or trouble breathing (from accidentally inhaling a rubber band), you should go to hospital immediately.
Keep in mind, it is incredibly rare for either of these things to occur. Braces rubber bands are made to be safe to use throughout your treatment.
Do Braces Rubber Bands Hurt to Wear?
It’s a common question — do braces rubber bands hurt? You may feel a bit of discomfort once you start wearing them, much like you do when your braces are adjusted during office visits. That discomfort should disappear in a day or two.
You can use an over-the-counter painkiller to reduce any pain. You can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water. If the pain persists for a week or longer, give us a call. We may need to adjust your rubber bands treatment.
Braces Treatment in Jonesboro, AR
Rubber bands are one of many tools we have to help create the perfect smile for you. Whether you need them or the amount of time you will depends on the dental issues we have to fix. We will present your treatment plan to you as part of your first consultation.
Schedule an appointment when you’re ready to see what braces treatment by Fergus Orthodontics can do for you!
