Got rubber bands today

[CountessDeSangre]

They stretch from my lower molars to a small bend in the archwire by my upper canines. I'm to wear them 24/7 minus the time that I am eating, and change them every day.

And dear god they hurt. I cant open my mouth more than a centimeter with these things on. Speaking is difficult, eating is out of the question (can't even get a small plastic soup of soup in my mouth), and licking my lips is impossible. Chapstick is now my new best friend.

Generally how long does this thing last? What's it for?

With every new contraption my orthodontist throws at me, I feel like it is the worst. I love her to pieces, she's a wonderful lady, and I know I enlisted her assistance of my own free will but dear god these things are painful.

[Mauvaise]

I (literally) feel your pain. I got elastics last week, same configuration as you.

Good news: they hurt much less than they did the first two days; however, after I eat or brush and put new ones in, they hurt again until they 'loosen' up a bit. But that's better than 24/7. You will eventually be able to lick your lips (I had the same lament when they first put on these torture devices). Don't even try to eat with them in - use meal times as blessings from heaven to take them off for a little bit.

Bad news: my jaw aches a lot, even still. Plus I find I am clenching my teeth more than ever at night with these in (and I was *never* a clencher before getting braces). That might be what actually makes my jaw still ache even after getting more accustomed to the bands.

More bad news: once you're more comfortable and can talk better, speaking really causes them to rub the hell out of your cheek and wax can't help. I've actually got blisters (not canker sores) from it.


I was told it's to 1) start moving my upper teeth back to start reducing my overjet.

[CountessDeSangre]

Oh gosh, well you made it through so I'm sure I can too.

I find meals are extra enjoyable now when I'm able to take them off. But I'm not so motivated when it comes to my snacks. So I just cut out my snacks entirely. And regret it all the time.

I have noticed that after wearing them overnight, while they appear slightly looser, my jaw does hurt more. Maybe I'm clenching in my sleep, I don't know.

And oh man, I am NOT looking forward to blisters.....

Thanks so much for your input though!

[CountessDeSangre]

I wonder though, my orthodontist never said. After meals, am I supposed to put on NEW bands? Cuz for the past two days I've just been using one pair per day and putting the same ones on post meals.

[BBQ Grill]

New one every time u take it out....no need to be frugal, they're free LOL

[CountessDeSangre]

Oh man, they kinda stretch out when it's time to put them back on. But I guess them stretching out does defeat the purpose lol

[Mauvaise]

My ortho said I should be switching them out 3-4 times a day, so definitely use a fresh pair every time you eat or brush your teeth.

[Mazly007]

I get brackets moved around in 2 weeks and then am getting introduced to the joy of rubber bands.

Now you all have me really excited...or not.

[CountessDeSangre]

I get brackets moved around in 2 weeks and then am getting introduced to the joy of rubber bands.

Now you all have me really excited...or not.

It's my 5th day in them. It's really not that bad anymore. Occasional soreness but not as intense as it was before.