If you’re undergoing braces treatment with Dr. Melissa Farrow or Dr. Jeremy Dewbre, you’ve likely been introduced to rubber bands, also known as elastics. They may seem small, but these tiny bands are critical in helping your orthodontic treatment at Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics be as effective as possible.
Rubber bands work alongside your braces to align your bite and adjust your teeth into the correct position. While wearing them consistently might feel like just another task, they are key to ensuring your treatment moves forward as planned.
The Role of Rubber Bands in Your Braces Treatment
Rubber bands are one of the main components of your braces treatment, even if they seem small. These elastics don’t just sit on the brackets—they help add extra pressure to specific teeth or even the entire bite. This pressure helps move your teeth and jaw into the right positions, guiding them to line up properly with each other.
The main role of rubber bands is to fix alignment issues that braces alone can’t handle. Think of them as the extra push that helps straighten your teeth, not just for appearance but also for how your top and bottom teeth fit together. Rubber bands are especially helpful for issues like overbites, underbites, and crossbites because they connect parts of your braces on the upper and lower teeth, making sure everything moves in harmony.
By wearing your elastics as instructed, you’re helping the braces do their job more effectively. Every hour counts in bringing you closer to a balanced, healthy bite, and the final result will be worth the effort.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Rubber Bands?
The truth is that it depends. Every smile is different, and so is every braces treatment. Dr. Melissa Farrow and Dr. Jeremy Dewbre will give you specific instructions on how long you should wear your rubber bands daily. Typically, most patients need to wear them for most of the day—often 20-22 hours, including while sleeping.
Rubber bands are like that exercise routine you need to stick to if you want to see real progress. If you wear them consistently, you’re much more likely to get the desired results and possibly even finish treatment a little faster. It could slow your progress if you forget or don’t wear them as prescribed. And let’s face it, nobody wants to spend more time in braces than necessary, right?
To help you stay on track, try setting reminders on your phone or leaving notes on your bathroom mirror. It’s all about forming a good habit—and before you know it, wearing rubber bands will become second nature.
How to Clean and Maintain Rubber Bands
Keeping your rubber bands clean is essential—after all, these little guys are going in your mouth. You’ll be switching out your rubber bands daily, so there’s not too much fuss involved. Just make sure to change them as often as Dr. Farrow or Dr. Dewbre recommends. Fresh rubber bands are more effective and cleaner, which means better results and a healthier mouth.
When eating, it’s a good idea to remove your rubber bands so they don’t snap or get food stuck on them. After eating, brushing your teeth and putting in new elastics is the best move. Imagine wearing the same pair of socks every day without washing them—kind of gross, right? The same idea applies to your rubber bands.
How to Handle Broken or Lost Rubber Bands
Broken or lost rubber bands in Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics happen—it’s just part of life with braces. If a rubber band snaps or you misplace it, don’t stress. Just replace it with a new one as soon as possible. Always keep extra rubber bands on hand, no matter where you are. Our Fawrrow & Dewbre Orthodontics team in Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Clinton will make sure you have plenty of extras so you’re never caught without them.
It’s easy to think, “One rubber band won’t make a difference,” but those tiny elastics are actually doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Missing even a few hours of wearing them can affect your progress, so staying on top of replacements is key.
How to Stay Consistent with Rubber Bands During Holidays
Holidays can be a challenging time for keeping up with your braces routine—especially when there’s traveling, special meals, and a lot of distractions. But if you’re heading out of Oklahoma City or Edmond to visit family, it’s a good idea to pack extra rubber bands and keep them in a small travel case. Just like you wouldn’t forget your toothbrush, don’t forget those elastics!
Let’s be honest, nobody wants a holiday photo featuring their braces with the caption, “Still wearing them because I didn’t wear my rubber bands!” Keeping rubber bands in your pocket or purse can make it easier to replace them, even on those busy days. And hey, maybe you can even reward yourself for being consistent—who doesn’t love a little holiday treat when they’re sticking to their goals?
Make Rubber Bands a Part of Your Routine
We get it—rubber bands aren’t exactly the most fun part of braces. But when you stay consistent, you’re setting yourself up for a healthy, beautiful smile that’ll last a lifetime. Dr. Farrow and Dr. Dewbre are here to help you every step of the way, and they’ve seen firsthand how well patients do when they stick with their rubber band routine.
Remember that these little elastics play a big role in your treatment. Got questions about your rubber bands? Don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics—they’re always here to lend a hand (or a rubber band).