Metal Mouth Message Board

I tried searching for the answer for this..but it's taking TOO long to read through every post on elastics so here goes....

My ortho gave me elastics to wear today..she said to wear em 24/7..
I could take them out to eat 'heavy' meals, but for the light ,meals keep em in...
my question is..Should I leave the elastics in when I brush my teeth too? Or can I take them out...I know I'll get a MUCH better clean that way...my ortho did say to change them twice for the day (for the MAX)..and I usually brush my teeth after every time eat..snack or lunch...

What do yall do/think?

i take my elastics out almost everytime i eat a bite of food! And you should DEFINITELY take them out to clean your teeth. My elastics have been working perfectly so I know its fine... I have even left them out for an hour or two for an interview or a fancy dinner party. I think 24/7 means more like 23/7... just don't take them out unless necessary!!

I recommend taking them out for meals and brushing teeth. It usually doesn't take long at all to remove and place them on again. I tried brushing my teeth with the elastics on but they ended up breaking on me several times.

I cannot eat anything more than a breath mint without taking mine out because mine go from the backside of my teeth to the front, overlapping my teeth. I have had elastics my full treatment thus far and was told to expect them throughout my entire treatment.

I can't eat with them in and I was told to take them out. If you aren't eating, you still need to change them 3-4 times a day too. They wear out quickly.

I think it's quite acceptable to take your elastics out to brush your teeth.

However, if your ortho would like you to eat with them in situ, then I would do that. I managed to eat with four vertical elastics in place.

your supose to take them out when u brush

I tried the keeping them in while eating, but 9 times out of 10 would end up eating the elastics as well, so now I just take them out to eat.

Thanks for the responses! I more or less thought that 24/7 meant like 23/7.. I know after a while I'll find a routine that I comfy with.

yeah um take them out to eat and brush


keep brushing!

i dont wear elastics

but i guess you HAVE TO take them off to brush your teeth
otherwise, how could yo make a good cleaning

I have had elastics since almost beginning of treatment too and I always take mine out to eat and brush.

Do u know how some people hate the sound of fingers on a chalk board well I hate the sound of a clicking rubber elastic in my mouth! lol - so eating and elastics for me do not mix at all!!