{"id":187,"date":"2025-03-02T17:17:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T17:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthodonticsnh.com\/blog\/?p=187"},"modified":"2025-03-31T17:22:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T17:22:59","slug":"why-would-i-need-to-wear-rubber-bands-with-my-braces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthodonticsnh.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/02\/why-would-i-need-to-wear-rubber-bands-with-my-braces\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Would I Need to Wear Rubber Bands with My Braces?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Braces<\/a> are a tried-and-true orthodontic treatment that has assisted countless generations of patients over the years. They can be used to treat a variety of conditions that impact your teeth and jaw, and when most people picture the treatment, they visualize the straighter, more beautiful smile that can be accomplished by the end. That said, some patients end up needing to wear tiny rubber bands with their braces, which may seem a little odd. Nonetheless, these elastics serve an incredibly important purpose! Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Do Rubber Bands Do for Braces?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rubber bands, sometimes referred to simply as elastics, are used to increase the force that\u2019s applied to a specific area of your mouth during your braces treatment. They connect to the brackets on your braces using small metal hooks, and they can be positioned in several different combinations. Sometimes patients only need to wear one on one side, while others may need to wear multiple on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several things that rubber bands do for braces, but primarily, they\u2019re used to assist with jaw misalignment and bite problems like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. They can also be used to help adjust the spacing between teeth or their positioning; for example, if a tooth is learning far backward, elastics can help straighten it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, the rubber bands will lose their elasticity, meaning that they will exert less and less force on your teeth. Because of this, they need to be changed often, at least daily \u2013 but your orthodontist will let you know the specifics. Some people may only need to use rubber bands for a few weeks, while others end up using them for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Caring for Your Teeth While Wearing Braces with Elastics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your elastics are just as important as any other component of your braces, and you should care for them properly all throughout your treatment. Here are some tips to help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n