BAD ABOUT WEARING ELASTICS!!

[xanidu2012]

I know I'm supposed to wear them all the time but they make my jaws/cheekbones hurt. It seems Im constantly eating all the time so I take them out to eat but forget to out them back in. Does this happen to anyone? Am I the only one with this problem? I don't want to go past my treatment plan. Any one have any suggestions.? Do I or can I eat with elastics in place?. Help! Anyone.

[Candyland]

I have had elastics just over a week now. I totally feel your pain! I have not taken them out for anything other than brushing and puting new ones on. I eat with mine on all the time. I haven't broken any, but they do get in the way sometimes. My advice is just to take some pain meds and get through the discomfort. My ortho told me the more you take them out, the longer it will take you to get used to them. They hardly bother me at all now. Good luck!

[arciedee]

My ortho told me to try to wear mine (class II) while eating and to only take them out for brushing, but I'd check with your ortho about his/her recommendations. There seem to be different schools of thought on whether elastics should be worn while eating and I think some of it depends on what the elastics are being worn to correct.

They are definitely not much fun, but as tempting as it is to take them out, the pain will actually go away faster if you wear them consistently. After the first few days with mine they became far less noticeable and the pain dropped off quite a bit.

[bmueller]

Elastics are AWEFUL! I never complained a day of my treatment including jaw surgery, until I had orthodontic elastics.

The key is to wear them religiously until your teeth and jaws get used to them. They will hurt for about a week and then will stop once your teeth start moving. Your jaw muscles will probably always hurt until you stop wearing elastics. It sucks. I know.

I take them out to eat because based on my configuration, I would never be able to get food in my mouth. I also take them out to brush my teeth.

It is a huge pain to take them out and put them in all the time and I tend to avoid snacking. It has meant that I often feel hungry (which can also put me in a bad mood). I'm sure if you take them in and out more than just for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you'd be fine.

I am actually wearing 6 Super Heavy elastics at a given time. It's a lot to do and undo.

I try to keep my spirits up since this is only temporary (for a few months) but I totally understand what you're going through!

[xanidu2012]

Thanks ya'll for the suggestions. I know my ortho gonna be a tad bit upset with me. . He can look and tell whether patients are following his orders. I've been being very conscious today about wearing the elastics. My next appointment is July 1st. I don't have any type of configurations just wear one elastic each side from molars to hook on top but strength of elastic makes me . Once again thanks everybody. If ya'll can do this I can and will too.

[djspeece]

I think you may have some difficult decisions to make. I know that you understand that we patients must do our part in order to achieve the results we are seeking in a reasonable amount of time. Perhaps you might want to consider cutting down on your snacking, and select snacks that boost your blood sugar for a longer period of time. That may be the main issue. I don't know about you, I found that putting the elastics on took practice to do it smoothly (and let's face it we all want to be smooth ). Do you any issues with that? I have also found that I need to keep elastics in to proper relearn how to speak with minimal lisping.
It may be apocryphal, but I have heard that if you do something for 21 days it is basically a habit. Maybe some short term plans might help you reach your goal. Elastics aren't natural by any means, and I am not crazy about mine, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! You'll get there. Best of luck to you.

[bmueller]

The orthodontist can definitely tell if you're wearing them as prescribed or not. Even my orthodontist commented to me that I was a great patient in terms of wearing the elastics and that it made my teeth move quickly.

I can believe that after doing something for 21 days it becomes a habit, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you suddenly feel good about wearing elastics. In the 7 months I've worn them, I have times when I feel more frustrated than others but I know the only one I'm cheating by not wearing them would be myself. Every day I don't wear them correctly will add days to my total treatment time. I certainly don't want that!

I hope you can find a routine that works for you.

[DrJasonKTam]

With consistent elastic wear, they won't hurt and bother you. If you're using them inconsistently, do expect a lot of awkwardness and discomfort, since you won't be used to using them, and because you're effectively giving yourself something similar to an adjustment every time you replace them.

The teeth need constant, light forces to move, and this can only be achieved with proper wear. Good luck!

[xanidu2012]

Thanks for all the replies especially you Dr. Tam. I went for adjustment and lig change yesterday (7/1/13) and yes I confessed I had not been wearing elastics regularly. My ortho was very understanding. We talked and I've got a plan I'm going to implement. Going to eat a good breakfast; get some healthy snacks to keep blood sugar higher; good lunch/dinner and healthy snack before bed. I've also put brushing/flossing/elastic reminder alarms on my smartphone; I've also put packages of elastics in glove compartments of each one of my vehicles and in each handbag I use. Now there is no excuse on my part for not wearing them. Thanks again for support and suggestions from each and every one of you.

[bmueller]

glad to hear you've got a plan! Having available baggies of elastics definitely help. I make sure I'm never somewhere without extras.

Keep us updated on your progress.

[xanidu2012]

Ok. My plan is working. Been wearing elastics like I'm supposed to all day. Getting ready to take out now so I can eat . Thanks bmueller. I will.

[djspeece]

Congratulations! Keep up the good work.

[TMJJill]

I find the conversation you had with your Orthodontist interesting. My Orthodontist has been very big on nutrition the entire 3 years I've been seeing him. When I have things that slow down, he frequently gives me reminders on the nutrition piece.

Glad you have a plan in place now.

[MagneticMouth]

I remember getting elastics, I hated them. After eating I would always forget to put them back in. It was so uncomfortable wearing them like I was exercising my mouth.