Hi I was told that my braces will be coming off in about 3 months...today i went for my regular appt. and they put on this small rubber band that goes around one top tooth and two bottom ones....what is the purpose of this? doctor said i have to wear it for a month 24/7...can i take it off during meals? Thanx for the help
2006-08-21 17:31:55 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
The best thing to do would be to call your orthodontist's office and ask. They'd be more than happy to help you, because in the end, it's better that you do it the way they want you to, so you don't have to do the rubber bands even longer than originally intended.
2006-08-21 17:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by Oh no 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, i was told I'd have braces for 18 months and ended up having them for 4 years. Be wary, don't get your hopes up.
The rubber bands help to move your teeth into the right alignment top-to-bottom, not just the ones adjacent.
Yes, take it off during meals. Unless you like eating rubber.
2006-08-21 17:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by alannabear34 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah you can take it off during meals, but once you're done eating you have to put it back on. The doctor knows what he's doing. He said in "about" 3 months, so he might just be using those rubberbands to do some fine tuning on your teeth. Rubberbands do alot. Trust me.
2006-08-21 17:37:14 · answer #3 · answered by rudolph228 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have these same rubber bands its for your overbite and i haven't been wearing mine like im supposed to cuz i was told to wear them 24/7 with the exception of meals and my overbite hasn't been fixed at all so if you want your overbite to be fixed then wear them all the time with the exception of meals... and make sure you have plenty of rubberbands if you run out u may not get more in time so get more when ur half way down because i ran out one time...
2006-08-21 17:39:10 · answer #4 · answered by flutebandchick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are to correct your bite. When they said "about 3 months" it meant that it would take about 3 months IF you wear the rubber band like you are supposed to, and if your teeth move as quickly as your orthodontist expects them to.
You should take them out to eat and to brush and replace them with new ones once a day.
2006-08-25 15:21:24 · answer #5 · answered by April 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the rubberband is to align your jaw. i had those when i was 15.
they will give you a bag of replacement rubberbands, and yes you have to take them off when you eat, then brush your teeth and put some fresh ones on.
just a word of wrning though, when your braces come off, to you your teeth will look huge for the first couple of days lol.
2006-08-21 17:35:54 · answer #6 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you can take it off during meal times and when you brush your teeth. I have it on right now too. Everyone who is almost takin it off has to wear these rubber bands. I THINK the purpose is to pull your teeth outward...or even it out. I'm not that sure either. Yay, can't wait to take out my braces!
2006-08-21 17:37:16 · answer #7 · answered by ladytez 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK..hold up...what chapeton said...you do need to wear them at all times EXCEPT during meals and brushing afterwards...my ortho let me take them out...that would be very uncomfortable to wear them during meals don't ya think?? that's why they let you take them out during brushing. aren't you psyched to get them off in a few months?? i had mine on for 4 years! but it was so worth it because i have very very nice teeth now!! (ps wear your retainer or some teeth may fall back into there 'normal' position :( i hardly ever wore mine and now one tooth has gotten a little crooked again...oh well at least its on the bottom lol) ok wow i am rambling but good luck with that sweetie!
Breanna
2006-08-21 17:39:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is to get your jaw into position. You have to eat with them in as chewing aids in the moving of your jaw into position. Just a word of warning - you will swallow some of the bands. I used to pray after every meal that my bands were still on! It sucks, but remember that it will all be over with in 3 months!
2006-08-21 17:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the last process everyone gets before braces come off, they create the right amount of pressure to move your teeth in directions braces alone can not go.
2006-08-21 17:43:26 · answer #10 · answered by marta n 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋