Does it matter if you lost your rubber bands for your braces and you use a different size?

Question

I cant find my package of rubber bands, and my sister just got her braces off, so she has a spare bag of rubber bands. Is it ok if i use those for a reminder of like 3 weeks until my next appointment. The rubber bands are smaller than my normal ones. How will it effect me? Should i just wear them, or go into my orthodontist office and get another package?

Answer 1

yes it does make a difference if the sizes arent the same. you should probably go to your orthodontist and pick up another pack. your sister's smaller bands will not only be painful, but can damage your teeth if they make them move too fast.

Answer 2

You should go to your orthodontist's office and get another package.  The size and resistance of the bands you were given were probably chosen based on what you need.  Small ones are stronger, so they're supposed to move your teeth more--they would also be more painful and could cause the problem of over-correction.  And you don't want to wait three weeks; you might not care now, but I know from experience that when you're about to get your braces off and find out you're not done, you regret every second you didn't listen to your orthodontist's instructions!  (No moralizing here...I was just really frustrated at the time!)

Answer 3

Just go pick up another bag. Maybe pick up another one as a spare. I don't think you should be using the wrong size.