Rubber bands (elastics) for braces
Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by 
Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.
Rubber bands for braces, called elastics, are small bands you hook between brackets to add force that the wire alone can't, most often to correct how your upper and lower jaws meet. You put them on and take them off yourself, change them daily or as often as your orthodontist says, and wear them for weeks or months depending on your treatment.
Key points
- Used to correct overbites, underbites, open bites and crossbites, and to adjust spacing (Healthline)
- Replace them daily or as directed, because they lose elasticity (AAO)
- Never double up: extra bands can harm teeth and jaws and slow treatment (AAO)
What rubber bands do on braces
Elastics are tiny rubber bands that apply extra force to a tooth or teeth in ways braces alone cannot (AAO). They hook onto small hooks on selected brackets, and your orthodontist picks the connection points for the movement needed: from teeth in the upper jaw to the lower jaw, or between teeth in the same jaw (AAO). The AAO calls them essential for correcting bite issues because they pull in a specific direction (AAO).
Healthline lists what they're used for: adjusting a misaligned jaw such as an overbite, underbite, open bite or crossbite, adjusting spacing between teeth, and adjusting a tooth's position, such as straightening one that leans back (Healthline).
Don't confuse them with the tiny colored ties on each bracket. Those are ligatures, or o-rings, which hold the wire and are changed by your orthodontist (AAO). Elastics are the ones you manage yourself (AAO).
How elastics move teeth
Braces move teeth through bone remodeling: steady pressure on a tooth causes bone to be removed on one side of the root and rebuilt on the other (AAO). The key word is steady. Consistent pressure keeps the process going, which is why orthodontists ask you to wear elastics exactly as prescribed and not take them out to ease soreness (AAO) (AAO).
Types of elastics
Healthline sorts orthodontic rubber bands four ways (Healthline):
| By | Options |
|---|---|
| Force | Light, medium and heavy; measured in ounces or grams, and the exact force varies by manufacturer |
| Size | The diameter, usually in fractions of an inch; chosen by how far the band must stretch |
| Material | Latex, which is flexible and cheap, or synthetic, for people with a latex allergy |
| Use | Class I, Class II, Class III, vertical and cross elastics (below) |
Healthline cites a small 2018 study in which latex bands held their force more steadily over 24 hours than synthetic ones (Healthline). If you have a latex allergy, tell your orthodontist; many now offer latex-free elastics (AAO).
Class I, II and III elastics: what each corrects
| Elastic | How it's placed | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Horizontally, linking brackets in one jaw | Closing spaces between teeth |
| Class II | Upper front teeth to lower molars | Excess overjet, commonly called an overbite |
| Class III | Lower front teeth to upper molars | An underbite |
| Vertical | Upper teeth to the teeth directly below | An open bite |
| Cross | Upper to lower, often crossing the front teeth | A crossbite |
When and how long you wear them
Not everyone needs elastics. Some people start after a few adjustments, others near the end of treatment, and some wear them for a few weeks while others need them for months (Healthline). Many people wear them almost all the time; some only at night (Healthline).
How often to change them. Elastics lose elasticity as they age, so replace them daily or as often as your orthodontist recommends (AAO); Healthline says that can mean several times a day (Healthline). They're single-use: if one falls out, use a fresh one rather than rinsing and reusing it (AAO).
Eating and brushing. The AAO says to remove elastics to eat or brush and put fresh ones on afterward (AAO). Check with your orthodontist, because instructions differ by case (Healthline).
Elastics keep treatment on schedule only if you wear them as prescribed (AAO). Skipped wear is one of the things that can stretch a 12- to 24-month treatment (AAO); see how long braces take.
The rules for wearing elastics
- Wash your hands before putting them in or taking them out (AAO).
- Never double up. More elastics than prescribed put excessive force on the teeth, which can harm teeth and jaws or slow movement (AAO).
- Carry spares in case one breaks or gets lost (AAO).
- Don't run out. If you do, get more from the office right away rather than waiting for your next appointment (AAO).
- Store them well: somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, because heat weakens them (AAO).
- Replace a broken band straight away with a new one; you don't need a visit for that (Healthline).
Elastics vs ties vs power chains
| Feature | What it does | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Ligature (o-ring, tie) | Holds the wire in one bracket; changed at each adjustment (AAO) | Orthodontist |
| Power chain | Linked rings across several brackets that pull teeth together (AAO) | Orthodontist |
| Elastics | Stretch between hooks to move teeth or the bite (AAO) | You, every day (AAO) |
If you lose or run out of elastics
Go to your orthodontist's office for more right away; don't wait until your next appointment (AAO). Consistent wear keeps tooth movement efficient and your timeline on course (AAO). If the office is closed, call: the AAO says your orthodontist can help you plan how to get more (AAO).
Do rubber bands hurt?
Some discomfort is normal when you first start, and it should fade as your mouth gets used to them (AAO) (AAO). The AAO asks patients not to take elastics off to relieve soreness, even briefly, because consistent wear matters (AAO). Healthline says over-the-counter pain relievers can help (Healthline); ask your orthodontist which. If pain doesn't improve after a few days, call the office (AAO). See do braces hurt?
Keeping teeth clean with elastics
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush after every meal, floss with a threader, and avoid sticky, hard and crunchy foods that can damage braces (Healthline). Pack spare elastics with your toothbrush, interproximal brush, floss and toothpaste for school or work (AAO). Our list of foods to avoid with braces covers the details.
Never use rubber bands on teeth yourself
Videos online show people putting rubber bands on their teeth to close gaps. Healthline warns this can seriously damage teeth and gums, and cites case reports in which unsupervised rubber bands led to tooth loss and to oral surgery (Healthline). Orthodontic treatment should only happen under an orthodontist's supervision (Healthline). To close a gap safely, see how to close a gap in your teeth.
Alternatives to elastics
Depending on your case, your orthodontist may use other tools instead (Healthline):
- Power chains: linked elastic rings in place of single ties, to close or even out spaces.
- Headgear: applies force from outside the mouth, often worn at night.
- Temporary anchorage devices: tiny screws placed in the jawbone to anchor the braces, removed at the end of treatment.
- Fixed appliances such as Forsus, PowerScope and Herbst, and springs.
Clear aligner plans can use elastics too (AAO). When you compare quotes, ask whether elastics and any extra visits are included.
Questions people ask
What do rubber bands do on braces?
They add force in a specific direction, most often to correct how the upper and lower jaws meet, such as an overbite, underbite, open bite or crossbite (AAO, Healthline).
How often should I change my braces rubber bands?
Daily, or as often as your orthodontist recommends, because they lose elasticity. Healthline says that can mean several times a day.
Can I eat with rubber bands on?
The AAO says to remove elastics to eat and brush, then put fresh ones on. Follow your orthodontist's instructions.
What happens if I don't wear my rubber bands?
Treatment can fall behind schedule. Consistent wear is key to moving teeth efficiently (AAO).
Can I wear two rubber bands to speed things up?
No. Doubling up won't speed treatment and can cause discomfort and harm your teeth and jaws (AAO).
How long do you wear rubber bands with braces?
From a few weeks to several months, depending on your treatment plan (Healthline).
Do braces rubber bands hurt?
Some soreness is normal when you start wearing them and fades as your mouth adjusts. Don't take them out to relieve it, because consistent wear matters (AAO).
Are braces rubber bands made of latex?
Many are, but synthetic latex-free elastics are available. Tell your orthodontist if you have a latex allergy (AAO, Healthline).
When do you start wearing rubber bands with braces?
It depends on your plan: some people start after a few adjustments, others near the end of treatment, and some never need them (Healthline).
Can rubber bands fix an overbite?
Class II elastics, which run from the upper front teeth to the lower molars, are used to correct excess overjet, commonly called an overbite (Healthline).
Are rubber bands used with Invisalign?
Sometimes. The AAO says some aligner plans combine aligners with elastics or other appliances to get the result needed.
Sources
- Orthodontic elastics: your pathway to perfect alignment. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- What purpose do elastics (rubber bands) have for braces?. Healthline, medically reviewed by Rooz Khosravi, DMD, PhD, MSD. February 5, 2021.
- How braces work: parts and their functions. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Glossary of orthodontic terms. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- What to expect during orthodontic treatment: timeline, pain, and what's normal. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Oral hygiene tips during orthodontic treatment. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 13, 2026.
Figures are national averages or ranges from these sources. Estimates from our calculator are a model, explained on how we get our numbers.