After receiving your metal brackets and wires, you’ve been watching your teeth shift in the right direction. But after a visit with your dentist, you discover you need rubber bands on your braces in Uptown New Orleans. Wondering why you are suddenly required to wear these small elastics, you may ask yourself if they’re entirely necessary. Although rubber bands are not something all patients have to wear, they are beneficial and effective at producing desired results. Read on to let a dentist explains more about these oral appliances and how they can help you see a straighter, more beautiful smile.
What Are Rubber Bands?
If your cosmetic dentist in Uptown New Orleans recommends rubber bands, don’t envision those that are used to keep papers together or tie up your potato chip bag at home. Instead, these are small elastics that help to move your smile accordingly so that your upper and lower teeth as well as your jaw will begin to function normally. If it seems as if your treatment plan is taking a bit longer than originally thought, rubber bands can be used to help align things, minimizing the continued wear and tear on your teeth or problems with your bite.
How Do Rubber Bands Work?
When told you will be required to wear rubber bands, your dentist will apply these tiny appliances that are made of latex. It’s highly unlikely you’ll need them at the start of your treatment but instead, they can be extremely helpful later on if your teeth and jaw don’t seem to be moving into proper alignment quite as quickly as they should.
Your metal brackets will have small hooks that allow for proper attachment when using rubber bands. Depending on your needs, your dentist will show you how best to wear them to ensure maximum results. They can be worn up and down, diagonally, triangularly, or in many other ways. No matter how your dentist recommends that you wear them, you can trust that your teeth will begin to shift closer to their desired location.
Tips to Living with Rubber Bands and Braces
Living with braces can be tricky, however, add in rubber bands, and you may need a few additional tips to make the process a bit easier. Some of these include:
- Be careful when handling and storing your rubber bands, as they are small and can be easily lost. Keep them in a tightly sealed bag in a shallow, zippered area of your bag or purse. This will help you to avoid losing them among everything else you’re carrying around.
- Don’t be afraid to use a mirror to help guide you as you initially place your rubber bands. The more you do it, the easier it will become.
- Make sure to take them out before eating, as you could accidentally ingest one.
- Don’t forget to put in new rubber bands every day. In cases where you notice the elasticity is ineffective after several hours of wear, go ahead and swap them out.
Rubber bands may not be the most exciting addition to your orthodontic treatment but by wearing them as instructed, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying life with a smile you can be confident in.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Camenzuli is a trusted dentist in Uptown New Orleans who decided to pursue dentistry after wearing braces as a teenager. Leading a team of experts at Camenzuli Dental Excellence, he now helps patients of all ages achieve straighter, healthier smiles through the use of orthodontics. No matter if you or your teen need help to eliminate overcrowding, gapped teeth, or bite misalignment, Dr. Camenzuli can employ the right techniques and methods to achieve beautiful, life-changing results. If you’re ready to change the appearance of your smile and ensure a lifetime of better oral health, contact us today or call (504) 895-3400.