Getting used to elastics

[mary.]

I got elastics not long ago. I've had my braces for 1-1/2 years and things have been going pretty well. However, I'm having a difficult time getting used to these elastics. The first week I wore them off and on which just caused me more problems. So my Orthodontist told me to take a two week break and start over. I stretched that break a little as I was away on a course. Now I'm trying to get used to them. Boy, they're akward. I assume that after a few weeks I'll get used to them, I hope One bracket unfortunately is on a tooth that has a crown, which is adding to my worries, but they tell me it should be fine.

[Andromeda]

Yes I know what you mean. I got elastics right around my 1 year with braces which was just last month. I am still getting used to them. They definitely hurt worse than any other part of my treatment so far... I have them in a new configuration now as compared to last month and that took getting used to them all over again, pain wise. I've been very good about wearing them since I know that makes treatment go faster as opposed to not wearing them and I want these braces off pretty badly, and I've already seen loads of progress They are much more comfortable now then to start but still no picnic. Just stick it out and it really will get better. Good luck!

[TumbleDryLow]

I got elastics at about the 14 month mark and they were really, really annoying at first. I heard over and over again that the more you wear them the less weird they are, so I made the commitment to wear them and deal. Now, 6 months later, it feels weird NOT to have them in. In fact, I'm so used to them, I find myself consciously checking that they are still there and that I didn't accidentally eat them. Don't worry, you'll get used to them, and trust me, that will happen faster the more you wear them.

[Cecily]

I know exactly what you mean. I never had much pain before elastics, but I'm in constant pain now, especially when I wake up in the morning. I can't wait until this part is over.

[newsboysgrl777]

I know exactly what you mean. I never had much pain before elastics, but I'm in constant pain now, especially when I wake up in the morning. I can't wait until this part is over.

great... more pain to look forward to.

[Lela]

I found just putting them on and taking them off to be very awkard at first but once I figured out the best method it was just part of the routine.

I've only had the medium weight elastics so far so they have not really casued any pain at all. They have made some major changes to my bite though.

You should be pretty used to them after a few weeks of constant wear

[mary.]

Thank you all so much for your encouragement. You'll all so right, I just need to stick with it and I'll adjust as I have with everything else. I have found my braces journey to be a good one so far and once I get used to these elastics I'll be back on track : )

[LMZ]

Oh I could have written your post. I started wearing elastics on my top teeth at the 7 month mark. That was January and I still find that I am having a difficult time getting use to them. I am finding them to be the most challenging part of this entire journey and they may just cause me to fail as I have yet to complete a full day of wearing them. I have had no complaints about this entire process and the pain has been minimal...until the elastics were introduced. It feels like my jaw is wired shut and I cannot talk properly (this on top of my bracket induced speech impairment).. I have got to step it up or I am never going to progress any further

[newsboysgrl777]

Oh I could have written your post. I started wearing elastics on my top teeth at the 7 month mark. That was January and I still find that I am having a difficult time getting use to them. I am finding them to be the most challenging part of this entire journey and they may just cause me to fail as I have yet to complete a full day of wearing them. I have had no complaints about this entire process and the pain has been minimal...until the elastics were introduced. It feels like my jaw is wired shut and I cannot talk properly (this on top of my bracket induced speech impairment).. I have got to step it up or I am never going to progress any further

Not to come down hard on you, but read the following. Also, from everything I've read, you'll get used to them A LOT faster if you wear them MORE often, than LESS often!!

"Sometimes I wear them..."

Call them what you will: rubber bands, elastics, pain in the mouth, etc. But, in many cases, you are never going to finish your treatment correctly without wearing them like you are instructed. Nothing slows up treatment or brings it to a standstill like not wearing your elastics.

Elastics are worn to correct your bite. In most cases you are wearing them from the upper front to the lower back. That is to correct an excessive overjet. (Your teeth are sticking out too far in relationship to your lower teeth.) In some cases, it is the opposite. You are wearing them from the lower front to the upper back to correct a negative overjet (or underbite). Add to that any number of ways to combine their wear to bring the teeth together in a proper relationship.

It boils down to wearing them. A friend of mine likens it to your mouth and braces being a high performance sports car. (He likes Porsche.) The elastics are the gas for the car. If you don't put the gas (elastics) in the car (mouth), the car doesn't go anywhere. Your super sports car goes nowhere and so does your treatment.

Here's another orthodontic metaphor. You push a car that has no brakes up a hill. Spend all that time and energy getting it almost up the hill and then let go of it. What happens? The car rolls all the way back down the hill. That is pretty much what you are doing by wearing your elastics only part of the time. Your teeth never get to the top of the hill!

Ask any of your friends who have been in braces for over 2 years if they are wearing their elastics like they were told. I'll bet you that the majority will tell you that they "wear them sometimes". No wonder their treatment time is so long! They are wasting time by not following treatment instructions.

I know it is hard to believe but as an orthodontist, I get lied to every day. Gasp! Kids look me straight in the eye and tell me they are wearing their elastics "all the time". Never mind that they can't remember how to put them on or where they go when we ask them. Teeth don't lie. If I don't see any change in the bite and they have supposedly been wearing them for the last 16 months, I know someone is stretching the truth.

Take control of your treatment and the time you spend in braces. If you are to the point of wearing elastics, it is all in your hands. Use them to put your elastics on and keep them on. Your parents, your orthodontist and most importantly, you will be thankful that you did. (http://www.askdrstraight.com/2008/08/so ... -them.html)