Metal Mouth Message Board

I know elastics snap, it's the nature of the beast. I'm just trying to feel out exactly how often is too often. I'm wearing one, on the right side, at the moment. The darn thing snaps AT LEAST once a day, often twice. Of course, I replace it when it does. I'm supposed to be wearing it as close to 24/7 as possible, and I got the impression they wanted it changed out once a day. If it snaps at, say noon, I try to replace it the next day at the same time, although it's difficult because the new one has usually broken by then.
Anyway, does this sound excessive? Should I call and try to find out if changing it out twice a day would help, maybe? I think they snap when they get a bit stretched out, like after they've been in for a number of hours. I know the differing force is a factor, and they want them changed at different intervals for a reason, but if they never get to that point because they snap, maybe it would be better to change it more often?
Ugh -- good times!

I change my elastics after every time I eat anything, so perhaps 4 to 5 times per day... This sounds like quite a bit but its just not worth hanging onto an old elastic after cleaning and is much nicer to put a fresh one in. Not to mention I also believe they quickly lose their pull after only a couple hours of use even though my orthodontist said they are good for twelve hours. I always ask for extra packs as many of them will invariably end up spilled on bathroom counters and floors.

As far as them snapping every day goes, that just doesn't sound right to me. Only a few of mine have ever snapped in almost two years of use. Elastics come in many sizes and weight strengths so I would tell whoever is doing your treatment that this has been happening.

I change mine out 2-4 times per day. My ortho said to not worry about eating with them in because more than likely they will snap. However I have never had them snap on a daily basis so maybe you should check with your ortho on it?

Mine snap all the time! Every time I yawn, when I am talking, always while I eat, sometimes I wake up and they are broken as well. So once a day does not sound like a big deal. I have been in Japans for 7 months and those suckers sting when they hit my gums.

I just got elastics ^^ Mine are Light weights, so they don't snap very often. I try to eat with them in unless I know it's something I won't be able to eat, like a hamburger or a sub! I've had them snap a few times, but not often. I try to change them several times a day as well, definitely before bed and after waking up. Don't worry about changing them too much, unless you're changing them more than after each meal! You'll just run out of elastics then lol.

I'm wearing Thailand elastics and they never snap. I was wearing Swiss before that and they never snapped either. I change them out 3 or 4 times a day. It must sting when those snap. The Thai elastics are heavy, I'm pretty sure if one of those snapped in my mouth it would hurt.