Elastics move the teeth in a direction that can not be accomplished with braces alone.
Your teeth and jaws may be tender the first few days of wearing the elastics. This is normal, and the tenderness should begin to disappear within a week. If your soreness persists longer, please call our office. Rinsing with warm salt water will help take away the tenderness.
Trying on your elastics may seem hard initially, however with a little time and patience, you will be able to accomplish your task easily.
Elastic wear must be constant to be effective – 24 hours a day – 7 days a week, unless otherwise indicated. You may remove the elastics only when eating your meals or brushing your teeth. Be sure to replace the elastics with new ones immediately following mealtime and brushing. Part-time wear does NOT move teeth, but it does cause them to constantly be sore.
Elastics must be changed routinely because they lose their strength. If one elastic breaks, replace both sides. Carry extra elastics with you at all times. If you don’t have enough elastics to last until your next appointment, please stop by our office and pick more up, or call us and we can send more to you. We don’t want you to run out.
