Elastics
Elastics, or rubber bands, are an important part of orthodontic treatment. They supply the pressure needed to move teeth and jaws into their correct position. Therefore, you must carefully follow the instructions you receive regarding their placement and use. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make you treatment take longer.
Please wear your elastics 24 hours a day. Remove them when brushing your teeth or during meals (if necessary) then put them back on immediately. Always carry a few elastics with you so that if one should break, you can re¬place it right away.
New elastics should be used each day, as the old elastics tend to lose their elasticity with time. It is not necessary to change the elastics more than once a day.
There is often some initial discomfort when elastics are first worn, but this discomfort disappears after one to three days.