Which Rubber Bands Are The Best for Braces?

As soon as you have braces put on, you may start noticing the rubber bands that hold your teeth in place starting to yellow or even turn brown. If this has happened to you, you’re probably wondering what the best rubber bands are that will make your braces rubber band colors look their best and last longer, as well as keep your teeth from getting further damaged. For answers to these questions and more, check out this guide to the best rubber bands for braces in 2019!

What kind of rubber bands are used with braces?

If you’re wearing braces, you’ll probably want to ask your orthodontist which rubber bands are best for you. You’ll also need to know how long it takes for them to break in and how often you should change them. There are two different types of elastics used with powerchains braces: .022 medium-stretch and .018 regular-stretch.

Medium-stretch is used when a lot of pressure is needed to move teeth forward; they can be uncomfortable at first but should break in after 10 days or so. Regular-stretch bands (or comfort bands) are used on molars only and provide less pressure than medium-stretch bands, making them more comfortable right away but less effective over time.

They should be changed every 7–10 days. Another factor that comes into play is whether you have wire bonds as part of your braces treatment plan—in that case, you will use metal brackets instead of ceramic ones, along with special rubber bands called hinge locks. These come in three widths: standard (.016 inch), narrow (.014 inch), and extra narrow (.012 inch).

They’re made from high-quality stainless steel and have rounded edges to prevent chewing on wires or brackets. Be sure to check with your orthodontist before switching out any parts of your braces. Even if you have wire bonds, it’s possible to switch out some rubber bands for better ones if you aren’t completely satisfied—just make sure that any substitution makes sense based on what kind of braces and other materials are in place.

To help out there’s an easy system that most orthodontists use called ABCDE: A = upper front bracket band; B = lower front bracket band; C = upper rear bracket band; D = lower rear bracket band (the ‘E’ stands for excess spring.) If an adjustment needs to be made, most experts recommend pulling half as many elastic loops through each tooth with new elastics.

How are they applied?

As with all custom orthodontic appliances, elastic bands require a fitting. Your orthodontist will take an impression of your teeth, and then send it to a lab where molds are made. These molds are later sent back to your orthodontist, who will use them to create impressions that become rubber bands. When you come in to have your braces adjusted, your doctor will fit each wire with a rubber band at each tooth (making sure it is tight enough that you don’t bite down on it but loose enough that you can easily slide food around).

Once everything is in place, he’ll ask you not to touch or move any of your wires for at least 12 hours—so be patient! You’ll wear these rubber bands for several weeks before switching to elastics that have been applied directly to your braces rubber band colors. You may get one of these trainers when you get braces; if so, just hold onto it until your next appointment.

If not, no worries: There are many kinds available online. Just make sure they’re FDA-approved as well as suitable for children under 10 years old (some aren’t intended for children under 12) and order accordingly. Or better yet, talk to your orthodontist about what he recommends before buying some over-the-counter ones.

Why change the color of your rubber bands?

If you have braces, chances are you have a good idea of how important it is to wear your rubber bands. You might also be aware that some braces require rubber bands in specific colors and that wearing these colored rubber bands is even more important than usual.

There are lots of reasons why different color bands may come with your braces; after all, why change something that already works well if there’s no reason to do so? Still, some people who use colored rubber bands wonder about their purpose and aren’t sure whether or not they should be switching them out for another color. Read on to learn why sometimes changing your rubber band color really can make a difference in terms of dental health.

Some braces will come with customized colored bands and others will allow you to pick any color. But know that changing your elastic’s color isn’t just something extra added as a fun extra. It’s an important part of having straight teeth. Which rubber band color should I get?: When braces first came out, most were what we now call hardware or braces rubber band colors. The kind where you attach metal brackets to every tooth using small wires threaded. Through tubes (or ligatures) attached directly to each bracket/tooth pair.

Where can you find non-clear rubber bands for braces?

Your orthodontist will give you rubber bands so you can exercise your jaw muscle when wearing your brackets.  Though they won’t necessarily be in a rainbow of colors, some people find it hard to tell them apart. If you would prefer colored rubber bands over clear ones. Try looking at specialty stores or craft stores instead of drugstores. You might also try asking other orthodontic patients where they get their colored rubber bands. There are several online sites as well, but these tend. To cost more than what can be found in brick-and-mortar shops.

Braces Rubber Band Colors – Payless sells colored elastic braces bands, and they even come with a carrying case! For an investment of $5 (without shipping) you can pick up 2 packs. Containing 15 bracelets each, which is 30 braces rubber bands in total. In addition to colorful choices, there are more subtle shades such as light gray and mint green. The site sells multiple sizes ranging from 4 millimeters wide (for newer braces users) all. The way up to 8 millimeters wide (for older users). Any size between 4 and 8 millimeters will fit any brand of brace.