question about elastics...

[clearlybracedmomma23]

ive had my elastics on for my overbite for a month now. i wear them rigorously as instructed i want to make the most of my treatment and not slow any progress. my teeth were sore from them the first few days as expected and then it went away...suddenly yesterday my teeth started to feel awfully sore again and I'm so confused as to why? is it normal for them to hurt again so suddenly with constant wear? the one tooth that is particularly the most sore/irritated is my upper right canine ( it was severely rotated at the beginning of treatment and nearing being completely de-rotated not quite but getting extremely close) and my elastics are on my top canines to my bottom second to last molars...could the irritation/soreness in the canine mean its experiencing lots of movement right now?

[djspeece]

I've been in elastics for over 18 months and they do cause discomfort if worn as instructed, at least in my case. I would not call it pain, but it is there. If I am not uncomfortable then I must not be doing it correctly. The great irony of orthodontics.

[clearlybracedmomma23]

I've been in elastics for over 18 months and they do cause discomfort if worn as instructed, at least in my case. I would not call it pain, but it is there. If I am not uncomfortable then I must not be doing it correctly. The great irony of orthodontics.

thanks for the reply dan! I'm glad its all relative to the process...being so early on into my treatment still I'm getting the hang of the constant changing of my bite and the here and there discomforts that come along with those changes. my elastics have made some very noticeable changes in my bite the last five weeks I've had them and also become easier to deal with as i get more and more used to them so the discomfort here and there is absolutely worth it! my next appointment is this friday and I'm hoping my rotated canine has finally de-rotated enough for my second activation to be done its been put off my last three appointments just waiting on the one tooth and of course I'm anxious to see more changes in my smile! hopefully my ortho is pleased with the progress with the elastics as well!

[TheKT]

Something to note: I had elastics from day one and all throughout up until like my 6 or 7 month I experienced a lot of discomfort such as rubbing , internal soft tissue abrasions, etc that were at many times down right debilitating the majority of the 6-7 months. I always chalked the pain and uncomfortableness up to the new braces and rubber bands until it got so bad after one adjustment at like the 7 mo mark that I was diagnosed with a latex allergy. At that time my rubber bands were changed to non latex but remained the Same size and from that point on I have had absolutely no problems at all and not even a minor irritation. For those first 6-7 mos I struggled and suffered thinking it was part of the routine and that I had or suck it up. Just switching to non latex elastics made a world of difference and now I am 100% free for the irritation and pain.