Teal braces rubber bands
Teal rubber bands are elastic ligatures that secure an orthodontic archwire to brackets; the shade is cosmetic and does not set treatment force.
The short answer
The ligature fits around bracket wings. The archwire and orthodontic plan create controlled force through the periodontal ligament and supporting bone.
Why do ligatures and wires need careful cleaning?
Clean around brackets and beneath the wire, avoid hard sticky foods, and contact the office if a ligature falls off or the wire causes a wound.
What should you do if a ligature breaks or rubs?
Contact the orthodontist for a loose bracket, persistent cheek injury, or a band that repeatedly breaks.
When does a loose ligature need orthodontic care?
Ask when ligatures are replaced, which shades resist staining, and whether a loose ring affects your next adjustment.
What should you ask about ligature changes and staining?
Ligatures hold the archwire.
Frequently asked questions
The archwire moves teeth.
Plaque control protects enamel.
What if one band falls off?
Contact the orthodontic office for advice and replacement timing.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.