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

You’ve been wearing braces for a few months now, and you can’t wait to get them taken off so you can see your newly straightened smile in the mirror. But after a recent checkup with your orthodontist, you were told that you needed to wear elastic bands on your braces. You may be wondering if they’re even necessary. After all, don’t the brackets and wires straighten your teeth well enough on their own? As it turns out, wearing rubber bands on braces near Woodbridge Township, NJ can help you enjoy a more well-aligned smile. Here’s what you need to know about orthodontic rubber bands.

What Are Orthodontic Rubber Bands?

The rubber bands that are worn on braces are much different from the ones you’d find at an office supplies store. These smaller elastics are designed to help your braces shift your teeth and jaws into the ideal positions. If it seems like your treatment is taking longer than originally planned, orthodontic rubber bands can be used to speed things along.

How Do Orthodontic Rubber Bands Work?

Each of the metal brackets that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth has tiny metal hooks that allow rubber bands to be attached and connected to the brackets on other teeth. The bands can be worn vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or even in a triangle shape. Your orthodontist will let you know when and how you need to wear the elastics for maximum effect.

Not every patient with braces needs to wear rubber bands, but they can be a major help if your treatment isn’t progressing as quickly as you would like.

Tips for Wearing Rubber Bands on Braces

Many aspects of daily life with braces are already tricky enough. When you add orthodontic rubber bands into the mix, things can get even more complicated. Here are some tips to make wearing rubber bands on braces easier:

• Be careful when handling your bands since they’re small and can get lost easily. To avoid misplacing them, store them in a tightly sealed plastic bag in a zippered-off section of your purse or bag.
• When you first begin wearing the bands, use a mirror to help you guide them into place. It will get easier with time.
• Remember to take out your bands before eating.
• Make sure to put in a new set of elastics every day. Otherwise, they’ll become too stretched and worn-out to do their job properly.

Wearing rubber bands on your braces might not be the most exciting part of your treatment, but it will all be worth it when you’re able to reveal your beautifully straight smile to the world!

About the Author

Dr. Connie Lai is a Board-Certified orthodontist near Woodbridge Township, NJ who obtained her dental doctorate at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and her Master of Science in Orthodontics and Certificate of Orthodontics at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. With her husband, a general dentist named Dr. Alvin Aquino, Dr. Lai provides comprehensive dental and orthodontic care for families in the Avenel, NJ area at White Oak Dental & Orthodontics. To learn more about wearing rubber bands on braces, contact their team at (732)-582-4224.