Rubber band from hell? Not really

[krizzz]

I would like to share my experience with class 2 elastic (rubber band) that my doc has recently added to my treatment (24/7). It connects my top left canine with last left bottom molar. Right after getting in in my mouth it didn't bother me at all. After couple of hours it started to hurt. Before bed I had to take Tylenol as I wouldn't be able to sleep with that pain. I woke up at 2am and was in the worst pain since I had braces installed (9.5 months ago). The canine felt like it was pulling on the bare nerve. Probably it was. I decided to pull out the band as I realized that Tylenol is not gonna help with it. 15 minutes after taking it out the pain subsided to the level where I could fall asleep. After I woke up about 8am I had no pain but the canine and couple of teeth around it were sensitive but not very painful. I've put a new band in. It didn't hurt that much. As the day went on the pain increased to the level where i had to take Tylenol again (just 325mg). I was able to sleep the whole night (woke up a few times when I clenched the teeth and it hurt like crazy but it was not "permanent"). The next day was much better. It still was sensitive and little painful but I survived without Tylenol. Slept the whole night without interruption. It is the 4th day now and I have no pain but quite a bit of sensitivity. Definitely acceptable levels.
I'm writing this just to confirm what the doctors say - that you must brave it through the beginning and not pull it out. Take the acetaminophen (Tylenol) and just wait. It is gonna be a tough few days but it will stabilize. The more you were that thing the faster the pain will go away. Only remove it when you eat or brush. Install the new ones each time or at least every 12 hours. If you feel like you can't and it is too much call your doctor right away.

[Lovespain5]

Good news to learn that you support easily your elastics. Hope they will work well and good luck for the second part of your treatment!

[Ziggy]

When my ortho added elastics to my treatment it was a real pain. Not only some tooth pain but putting them on was a real chore. The tooth pain has subsided and I finally figured out how to get the damn things on. I would talk to your ortho. If he/she says the pain is normal just hang in there. It always gets better.