Quick answer: Spacers for braces, also called orthodontic separators, are tiny elastic rings or metal separators placed between certain teeth usually molars to make enough room for an orthodontic band. They are temporary, often staying in place for about a week, although your orthodontist may recommend a different schedule. Pressure or soreness is common during the first few days. Keep brushing, avoid flossing directly between teeth with spacers, skip sticky foods, and contact your orthodontic office if one comes out unexpectedly.
If you have just had spacers fitted, it is natural to wonder why something so small can feel so noticeable. This guide explains what a separator does, how discomfort typically changes, what to eat, and when to call your orthodontist. It does not replace instructions from the clinician treating your teeth.
What Are Spacers for Braces?
A spacer is a small temporary device that gently creates room between neighboring teeth. It is usually fitted in the contact area between back teeth. The space helps your orthodontist slide a metal molar band around a tooth at a subsequent visit. Molar bands are sometimes used to support braces or other appliances.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), separators may be elastic O-rings or small wire loops, and they are commonly placed around a week before the band appointment. Not every person getting braces needs separators; the orthodontist decides based on the planned appliance and the contact between teeth.
Elastic spacers vs. metal separators
| Feature | Elastic spacer | Metal separator |
|---|---|---|
| What it looks like | A tiny flexible ring, often colored | A small spring or wire component |
| Where it goes | Between selected back teeth | Between selected teeth when clinically appropriate |
| Purpose | Temporarily create room for a band | Temporarily create room for a band |
| Best option? | There is no universally best type. The orthodontic team selects the type and placement for your case. | |
These are not the same as a palatal expander, a clear aligner, a retainer, or the tiny elastic ties sometimes seen around conventional braces brackets. A separator prepares space; it does not by itself provide a complete orthodontic treatment.
Why Do Orthodontists Put Spacers Between Teeth?
Back teeth can touch tightly. A metal orthodontic band needs a small amount of clearance to pass through that contact and fit around a molar. Forcing a band into a very tight contact could make the fitting uncomfortable or impractical. A spacer supplies gentle temporary separation before the next appointment.
The University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry describes placing separators at one appointment and then fitting molar bands at a later appointment, approximately a week afterward. Your schedule may differ if your orthodontist uses a different appliance or treatment protocol.
Do Spacers for Braces Hurt?
They can. Many patients describe pressure between the molars, sensitivity when chewing, or the sensation of food caught between the teeth. The feeling usually comes from gradual tooth movement and the pressure near the contact area not from the spacer cutting into the tooth. Everyone experiences discomfort differently.
A small clinical study published in 2016 followed 30 female adolescent patients receiving elastic or spring separators. Pain increased during the first few days after placement. Because the sample was small and limited to one study population, it cannot predict exactly how much pain any individual will have.
Spacer pain: What the first week may feel like
| Time after placement | What you may notice | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| First several hours | A foreign-body feeling or mild pressure between teeth | Avoid touching the separator; choose easy-to-chew foods |
| Day 1–3 | For some people, soreness becomes more noticeable while chewing | Soft meals, gentle brushing, and approved pain relief if needed |
| Later in the week | Many patients notice the pressure settling, although some tenderness may remain | Continue the care plan and keep your band-fitting appointment |
| Any time | Severe, worsening pain, marked swelling, or a spacer appearing embedded in gum tissue is not a routine adjustment symptom | Call the orthodontic office promptly for advice |
This is a general pattern, not a promise that discomfort will stop on a particular day. If you cannot eat or sleep normally because of pain, or symptoms are getting worse rather than better, contact your clinician.
How to Ease Spacer Soreness Safely
- Choose soft foods: Scrambled eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, soft pasta, mashed potatoes, soups, and tender fish usually require less chewing pressure.
- Try cool, nonsticky options: Cool water or smooth yogurt may feel soothing. Avoid chewing ice.
- Keep up gentle oral hygiene: Brush the visible tooth surfaces and gumline with care; do not aggressively poke the contact where the separator sits.
- Ask before taking medication: Your orthodontist or pharmacist can advise whether an over-the-counter pain reliever is appropriate for your age, health conditions, and other medicines. Follow the label or professional instructions; do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Leave the separator alone: Repeatedly pushing it with your tongue, fingernails, or a toothpick can loosen or displace it.
Children’s Wisconsin recommends soft or cool food and drinks and gives patients guidance on managing ordinary separator soreness. The treating team’s individualized instructions should take priority.
What Can You Eat With Spacers for Braces?
Unlike a long-term braces diet, the separator period is usually short. Still, sticky foods can pull a spacer out, and very hard foods can make a tender area hurt more. Think soft, easy to chew, and unlikely to tug on the spacer.
| Usually easier choices | Best to avoid while wearing spacers |
|---|---|
| Yogurt, oatmeal, pudding, smooth applesauce | Chewing gum, taffy, caramel |
| Scrambled eggs, pasta, mashed potatoes | Sticky or gummy candy |
| Soft cooked vegetables, tender fish, soft rice | Foods that repeatedly catch or pull between the back teeth |
| Soups at a comfortable temperature, softer fruit | Very hard snacks if chewing increases pain |
You do not need to stop eating balanced meals. Cut foods into manageable pieces and favor the less tender side of your mouth if that helps. For the longer-term changes that may be needed after brackets are fitted, read Dentovex’s braces food guide.
Can You Brush and Floss With Spacers?
Brush as usual, gently. Continue cleaning all accessible tooth and gum surfaces twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, unless your own dental team gives different instructions.
Do not floss through the contact containing a spacer unless your orthodontist specifically instructs you to do so. Pulling floss through the spacer can remove it or push it deeper toward the gum. You can generally continue flossing other unaffected contacts. This distinction is explicitly described in patient guidance from Children’s Wisconsin and the University of Toronto.
A helpful habit is to ask the orthodontic assistant to point out every spacer before you leave the office. If your clinician approves, take a photo for your reference. Do not try to move a spacer with a toothpick, interdental brush, or other object.
How Long Do Spacers Stay In Before Braces?
Many separators are placed around one week before an appointment for molar bands. Some practices use a shorter or longer interval; the AAO describes a typical window of roughly one to two weeks for certain spacer uses. The correct duration depends on the appliance, spacing needed, and how your teeth respond.
Keep the scheduled appointment even if the pressure seems to have disappeared. Feeling comfortable does not prove that the required space has been created or that a band will fit. The orthodontic team will check the contacts and remove the separators as part of the next step.
What If a Spacer Falls Out?
A lost separator is fairly common, but you should contact your orthodontic office and tell them when it came out. They may decide that enough space is already present, provide a replacement, or ask you to return for an assessment. The appropriate response depends on how long the spacer has been in and when your next appointment is scheduled.
- Check which tooth contact is affected, without digging at the gums.
- Note when the separator came out and whether you still have the piece.
- Call your orthodontic office for instructions rather than waiting silently until your next visit.
- Only attempt home replacement if your own treating clinic has specifically trained and instructed you to do so. Some clinics teach this with prescribed supplies, while others want to replace separators in the office.
Do not insert a random rubber band or try to force a replacement under the gum. If the separator appears buried in gum tissue, if swelling develops, or if you have significant localized pain, arrange prompt clinical assessment.
When Should You Call Your Orthodontist?
Occasional pressure and mild chewing tenderness are expected for some people. The following symptoms deserve professional advice:
- A spacer falls out, especially if band fitting is several days away.
- A separator seems to be slipping beneath the gum rather than remaining visible between the teeth.
- Pain is severe, progressively worsening, or preventing normal eating or sleep.
- There is unusual swelling, bleeding that does not settle, discharge, fever, or a bad taste associated with the area.
- You are unsure whether a spacer is missing or whether the planned appointment should change.
If you experience difficulty breathing or choking, seek emergency medical care immediately. For other urgent concerns, follow your orthodontic office’s after-hours instructions.
Spacers vs. Braces, Bands, and Bite Turbos
Orthodontic terms can sound confusing because several small parts may be used at different stages of treatment.
| Device | Main job | Usually temporary? |
|---|---|---|
| Separator / spacer | Creates a small space between teeth before fitting certain appliances | Yes, usually days, not months |
| Molar band | Fits around a molar and may support orthodontic hardware | Typically stays during the relevant stage of treatment |
| Brackets and archwire | Apply controlled forces to align and reposition teeth | Remain during active braces treatment |
| Bite turbo / bite block | Temporarily alters tooth contact to protect appliances or help manage bite relationships | Duration varies by treatment plan |
Wondering about bite blocks instead? See our separate guide to bite turbos and orthodontic bite blocks. Preparing for the first visit? You may also find Dentovex’s first orthodontic appointment guide helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are spacers for braces always necessary?
No. Separators are used when the orthodontic plan requires space for a band or certain appliances. Patients receiving bonded brackets or other treatment systems may not need them.
Do spacers hurt more than braces?
There is no universal answer. Some people find the first days with spacers more uncomfortable; others feel more soreness after braces are fitted or adjusted. Pain perception varies, and the two procedures involve different mechanics.
Can I chew gum with orthodontic spacers?
It is usually best not to. Chewing gum and other sticky foods can dislodge separators, so wait until your orthodontic team says they can be removed.
Can I floss my teeth with spacers?
You can generally floss unaffected teeth, but avoid passing floss through a contact where a spacer is sitting unless your treating orthodontist specifically directs otherwise.
Can spacers fall out on their own?
Yes. A separator may become loose, including as contacts change. Do not assume that a lost separator means the job is complete contact the office to confirm what happens next.
Do you get spacers the same day as braces?
Sometimes schedules differ, but spacers are often placed several days to about a week before molar bands are fitted. Your orthodontist can explain how they fit into your own treatment timeline.
What if a separator is stuck in my gums?
Do not dig for it or try to pull it out with sharp tools. Contact your orthodontist promptly for examination, especially if you have increasing pain, bleeding, or swelling.
The Bottom Line
Spacers are small, short-term tools with one practical purpose: create enough room for your orthodontist to fit the next part of an appliance. Mild pressure and temporary soreness are common, but you should be able to understand how to care for them and when to get help. Keep brushing, avoid sticky foods, do not floss directly through the spacer contact unless instructed, and alert your clinic if one disappears.
For advice specific to your teeth, appliance, medications, and upcoming appointment, follow your orthodontist’s treatment plan.
References and Further Reading
- American Association of Orthodontists. Glossary of Orthodontic Terms: Separators and Spacers. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. Orthodontic Bands: Placement of Separators. Published October 6, 2014; accessed October 12, 2026.
- Children’s Wisconsin. Orthodontic Spacer: Patient Teaching Sheet. Revised December 1, 2025; accessed October 12, 2026.
- Al-Balbeesi HO et al. Pain and distress induced by elastomeric and spring separators in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2016;6(6):549–553. PMID: 28032047. Study of 30 female adolescent patients; limited generalizability.
Medical information notice: This article provides general education and is not a diagnosis, individualized treatment plan, or substitute for dental care. Contact your orthodontic team for personal instructions. Treatment choices and medication use should be discussed with a licensed professional.
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