If your orthodontist has given you rubber bands (elastics) to wear with your braces, you’re in the home stretch of creating a healthy, beautiful smile! While your braces straighten your teeth, rubber bands do something just as important—they help your top and bottom teeth fit together correctly.
What Do Rubber Bands Do?
Orthodontic rubber bands apply gentle, consistent pressure to move your bite into the proper position. This helps correct issues like an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, creating a smile that not only looks great but also functions properly.
Think of rubber bands like shoelaces. When you tighten your shoelaces evenly, they pull both sides of the shoe together for a secure fit. Rubber bands work the same way by gently pulling your upper and lower teeth into the ideal bite—but only if you wear them consistently.
Why Consistency Matters
Rubber bands only work when they’re worn as directed. Taking them out too often or forgetting to wear them allows your teeth to move back toward their original positions, which can slow your progress and extend your treatment time.
For the best results:
- Wear your rubber bands exactly as instructed by your orthodontist.
- Change them as directed to keep the pressure consistent.
- Only remove them when eating, brushing, and flossing (unless instructed otherwise).
A Healthy Bite Means a Healthy Smile
A properly aligned bite does more than improve your smile—it can make chewing easier, reduce unnecessary wear on your teeth, and improve your overall oral health.
At Bortnem Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you achieve a smile that’s both beautiful and functional. Wearing your rubber bands consistently is one of the most important things you can do to stay on track and finish treatment on time.
Every day you wear your rubber bands is one step closer to your best smile!
