New rubber bands

Message

#1 Post by **t3knophile** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:57 pm

Hello,

Today my ortho said I need to start wearing rubber bands. It's only on one side though. I am a bit anxious about having to wear them to work though. Wearing braces as an adult to work is bad enough let alone wearing rubber bands.

He said I should leave them in, even when eating? Seems like the bands would get in the way to me, but I haven't tried it yet.

Has anyone else been through this?

-t3k

#2 Post by **CreedAngel81** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:02 pm

I have only been braced for a little over a week and have already started elastics this past Sunday. I had the same thought about them prior to using the elastics but truthfully they really aren't all that bad, even when I eat. I pretty much end up forgeting all about them until I realize its time to change their position (I have to switch them to different upper teeth every eight hours!). I haven't even had any pain or discomfort with them, plus it actually feels weird to have them off.

#3 Post by **t3knophile** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:40 pm

Interesting you started wearing elastics so quickly. I have been braced for about 6 months now and just had to start wearing them as of today. I don't fully understand why I only wear it on one side but the doc knows best. Seems like that would be a pain to have to switch tem to different teeth every eight hours though.) I keep wanting to touch the bands with my tongue

. Guess that's just he feelign of something new in my mouth.

#4 Post by **stargirl** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:21 pm

Hey, I've had elastics now for 2 months and it hasn't been at all bad.
At first I took mine out to eat - but that just became a hassle. Really, after about a week you won't even notice that they're there, and eating will be a breeze!

CreedAngel81, you said that it feels weird having your elastics off... I agree! A couple of times after brushing my teeth I've forgotten to put some back on, and a few minutes later I'd notice something feeling strange. I actually prefer having my elastics in than out... somehow it feels better. Maybe I'm just weird!

#5 Post by **KJM** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:30 pm

I also got elastics at my last appointment. I have them from the top inside to the bottom outside ( to correct a crossbite) and I find myself eating stuff all the time now with them in. I dont even notice them anymore to be honest.

I totally dreaded the "e" word, so when I my ortho mentioned them I was like OH NO! LOL But seriously no one else ever notices them,and they are not an issue for me either. Like stargirl said, It actually feels better with them in.. and yes thats strange. LOL

#6 Post by **cookie** » Thu May 11, 2006 12:10 am

Another one here who's had no problems at all with wearing elastics.

I wear 2 all of the time - I just change them after eating.

No one has said anything about them, and they're not really too noticeable either.

#7 Post by **jennielee81** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:23 am

I've had elastics for about 6 weeks also.

I left my appointment with them in my mouth and went right to work. I figured that if I didn't go right in with them, I would be flakey about wearing them for ever.

About getting used to them? OH YA, the other day I went to put them in and it was then that I noticed I already had them in. That's how "normal" they feel.

#8 Post by **kirst1583** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:28 am

About getting used to them? OH YA, the other day I went to put them in and it was then that I noticed I already had them in. That's how "normal" they feel.

LOL i've had issues like that too. I used to try and brush my teeth with my elastics still in. I'd wonder what I was hitting with the toothbrush and then realise.

Website · #9 Post by **alexa** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:39 am

I've been wearing elastics for over a year now.

They're really no big deal. I wear them at work. No one even notices.

I take them out when I'm going to eat at a restaurant or big meal at home, but I leave them in for little snacking despite my ortho telling me to take them out when eating. Too much effort to take them out.

I've had that thing with forgetting that they're there and starting to brush my teeth.

Really, they're not that bad. You get used to them really fast.

#10 Post by **t3knophile** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:47 am

I appreciate all of your comments. I'm currently on day 2 at work with my elastics on, and they are already beginning to feel pretty normal. I even brushed my teeth this morning with them in which really wasn't that big of a deal.

What do elastics do anyway? I believe it has something to do with my bite since my ortho was asking me to bite down just before he told me to start wearing them.

#11 Post by **T4raegirl** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:35 am

i have been wearing them for the past two monthes...they are that bad at all.