Rubber bands help teeth align faster.
Dr. Ernie R. Banks is an orthodontist located in the Oxon Hill, Maryland, area. He installs braces for children and adults. One of the treatments that Dr. Banks might prescribe for braces is to install rubber bands over the braces to hold them in place. This is an effective way to align teeth quickly. Replacing these rubber bands is a simple process, and something that you must do several times a day to prevent the rubber bands from snapping inside your mouth and to keep the tension between the two sides of the teeth firm.
Instructions
1. Wash your hands before removing and replacing the rubber brands for the braces. Use hand soap and the hottest water you can stand. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to remove all of the dirt and germs.
2. Change the rubber bands after every meal and before bedtime. This is the best way to prevent the rubber bands from snapping inside your mouth with painful results.
3. Remove the old rubber bands before every meal and before putting in new braces. Close your teeth and open your lips. Gently lift the rubber band off of the hooks holding the rubber bands in place. Discard the old rubber bands.
4. Slip the end of a new rubber band over the bottom hook on the bottom braces. Pull the rubber band up toward the top hook. Make sure to hook the rubber band over the correct hook on the top side of the teeth that aligns with the hook on the bottom braces. It is important to hook the correct teeth together for the teeth to align properly. Slip the rubber band over the hook.
5. Attach the rest of the rubber bands in the same way.
