There's two ways that you can apply your rubber bands. The first way is to use your fingers: you would attach your rubber band to the lower tooth first and then drag it up to the appropriate upper tooth - this way it is easiest to apply your rubber bands. Try not to open your mouth too wide when you're applying rubber bands - it'll just make it easier for you to attach them this way. When you remove your rubber bands you can use your fingers and you would do the exact opposite: remove the rubber band from the upper tooth first and then the lower tooth alternately. There is an elastic placing tool within each of our rubber band kits that you can utilize if you're not comfortable using your fingers to attach the elastics either method is fine you will find one that works best for you.