You’re sitting in the chair, your cheeks still sore from getting your braces adjusted, when your orthodontist in Ft. Lauderdale hands you a tiny plastic bag filled with rubber bands. “You’ll need to wear these every day,” they say casually.
But now you’re staring at these stretchy little things wondering: What exactly are they supposed to do? And more importantly, what happens if I forget?
Elastics might seem like just another part of the braces process, but they actually play a huge role in how your teeth and jaw come together.
Skip them, and you could extend your treatment by months. Wear them consistently, and you’ll set yourself up for a bite that’s straight, stable, healthy, and functional.
Before we look at what elastic bands do, it helps to understand exactly what they are. In orthodontics, there are two types of rubber bands you might encounter during treatment:
Interarch elastics apply targeted pressure that brackets and wires alone can’t achieve. While braces move teeth into the correct position along the jaw, elastics help bring the upper and lower jaws into better alignment.
That balance is critical for how your teeth look and how your bite functions long-term.
Braces are designed to move teeth into better positions. Elastics help correct how those teeth come together: your bite.
Elastics create continuous pressure that shifts your jaw into a more natural position. This helps improve your bite, which is crucial in chewing, speaking, and preventing uneven wear on your teeth.
Orthodontists use elastics to help correct issues such as:
Bite problems require more than just moving individual teeth; they involve adjusting how the upper and lower arches relate to one another. Elastics provide the gentle but consistent force needed to make those changes.
Without elastics, many bite corrections simply wouldn’t be possible.
The type of elastic your orthodontist recommends will depend on the type of bite correction you need. Not all patients need elastics, but when they’re part of the plan, they serve a very specific purpose.
Here are a few common configurations:
Elastics vary in size and strength, which is why your orthodontist chooses the type that’s right for your treatment. It’s important to use only the elastics provided, as the wrong size or force can interfere with your progress.
Your orthodontist may change the type or configuration of your elastics as your bite improves. This is a normal part of the process and helps ensure the best results in the long run.
Most patients are instructed to wear their elastics about 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for meals, brushing, and flossing. After that, they should be put back in as soon as possible.
That consistency matters. Elastics only work when they’re worn regularly and for long enough each day to maintain steady pressure. Skipping even a day here and there can slow things down or even cause your bite to shift in the wrong direction.
A few helpful habits:
It may take some time to get into the rhythm, but once it becomes routine, most people find they hardly notice they’re wearing them.
Some discomfort is normal when starting elastics or changing to a new set, and it usually fades within a couple of days. In the meantime, warm saltwater rinses or a soft diet can help ease the transition.
Elastics may occasionally snap while you’re talking or eating. It’s harmless, but it can be surprising. Just remove the broken one and replace it with a new band.
The biggest challenge for many patients is remembering to put them back in after eating or brushing. Setting reminders or keeping extra bands nearby can help build the habit.
While these issues are common, they’re usually temporary. The more consistently you wear your elastics, the more quickly your treatment will move forward, and the sooner your braces can come off.
Braces do a lot, but they can’t do it all. If your treatment plan includes elastic bands, it’s because your orthodontist is aiming for a result that’s not just straight teeth, but a well-aligned, healthy bite that lasts.
Wearing your elastics consistently might not be the most exciting part of your day, but it’s one of the most important. Stick with it, push through the soreness, and keep those extra bands handy.
You’ll thank yourself when the braces come off and your smile is exactly what you hoped for.
At TLC Dental, we guide patients through every step of their orthodontic journey, from the first consultation to the day the braces come off (and yes, we’ll help with those rubber bands, too).
If you have questions about elastics, bite correction, or braces in general, our team is here to help. Schedule your appointment today to start your treatment and get a smile that works as great as it looks!
