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Author Topic: Are Braces Embarrassing?  (Read 31642 times)

Offline r1r1r12000

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #15 on: 03. October 2016, 16:26:10 PM »
Unexpectedly, yes.

I just got braces on Friday.  I went with full metal and was looking forward to showing them off.  Before my bracketing appointment I wasn't worried about self-consciousness at all.  Over the weekend, I went out on Saturday night, ran errands, and went to church on Sunday, so lots of strangers have seen my braces.  I'm finding it embarrassing to smile and talk normally without trying to hide the braces.  The most embarrassing moment was, ironically, with another adult braces wearer.  I feel like everyone is staring at my braces, but I know its probably all in my head.  At church, though, I was sitting next to a couple in their thirties.  At one point, we were greeting each other.  When I shook the woman's hand, we both smiled, which revealed her full set of ceramic braces.  She definitely noticed my braces, because her eyes widened, she looked directly at my mouth, then nodded her head at me and smiled bigger to make sure I noticed her braces.  On one hand, it was nice, kind of like meeting another member of a secret club.  On the other hand, her braces were so clear and discreet that I was struck, really for the first time, by how obvious and clunky my braces look.

The ortho put on large bite blocks on my back molars that force my jaws apart and cause a noticeable lisp.  No doubt my speech will improve, but right now, people have asked me to repeat myself and my phone's voice commands are confused.  When I tell the phone to "text," which comes out "tesht," the phone runs a google search for "test" instead of bringing up text messages.  Go figure, as much as I've been self-conscious about the appearance of the braces, the inability to speak clearly hasn't been embarrassing at all.  I'm just lisping and spitting my way through it with no shame.  I guess the big metal braces make it obvious to people why I'm having a problem talking, so nobody has mentioned anything.
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Offline cp927

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #16 on: 11. February 2018, 02:00:40 AM »
Quote from: Cassandra on 02. June 2016, 04:02:57 AM
I am starting to think that part of what attracts me so much to braces is the embarrassment factor. Is that something we all have in common?
I think I am like you... I like to imagine the embarrassment of other wearing brace, especially very visible brace like headgear !
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Offline 23BRT

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #17 on: 13. February 2018, 01:21:22 AM »
Embarrassment has zero appeal to me.
Wearing braces with confidence appeals to me.

I like how braces look on adults. I like how I look in braces. Not just in a kinky way. By wearing braces I have no interest in implying that that I have dental issues or I'm an adolescent.  To me it's the braces themselves not their cultural significance or a narrative they invoke.

Somehow, as a kid braces just got baked into my head as what an attractive mouth should have. For the sake of public health I can see why braces should not be jewelry. Still, I can't see my mouth as attractive without them. It's strange.

Anyone else feel this way?
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Update:
I've been thinking about the message braces send. I'm a very shy guy and I hate being in the spotlight. Part of me wishes I could wear braces and be normal. Another part of me wants to wear braces to send a message, and knows that people should start thinking about why people wear braces and why people want straight teeth.

As for public health, if people wear lingual retainers indefinitely why not libel braces? They'd be easier to keep clean.
Orthodontic appliances are objects of medicine and come with deferent expectations of risk than an object of sport. If I crash my bike and knock out a tooth someone might by me a beer at the bar.  If I wreck a tooth with fake braces I'm the crazy guy in an entertaining news item. If I wreck my tooth in pursuit of the 'hollywood smile', well I'm normal. extraction of healthy teeth is normal in esthetic treatments.
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Offline Braceface2015

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #18 on: 13. February 2018, 03:44:35 AM »
I have found that having braces as an adult has a mixed effect on me. I usually have to make myself not hide my braces. My natural reaction is to try to hide my braces even though I am not trying to. From the very start of my treatment I have always had colourful ligatures and powerchains. I enjoy having the metal brackets and coloured elastics. The last few times I have been in for an adjustment, I have told the assistants to surprise me with what colour of chain to put on.

In my opinion, most people don't care about the person having braces as much we do about having them.
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Offline erin_wires

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #19 on: 13. February 2018, 05:44:13 AM »
I dont think they're embarrassing! I get mine this week though so ill find out soon
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Offline rokin

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #20 on: 13. February 2018, 06:14:45 AM »
I am a 43 year old male and have a very public business job in the largest city in the USA. I have metal braces, 8.5 months in. Its not embarrassing at all! I flash them a big old metal smile! Who cares! They are your teeth!
You will soon find out that nobody really cares you have braces...
I have a power chain across the tops now, and 2 TADS in my lower jaw. They string a power chain to those from my front lower canines.
They do this on and off. My braces are the 'sure smile' ones and are working really well.
My girlfriend and I have fun (she has a fake set from this store).
I must say that as annoying as they are, I am enjoying them and the whole experience and my teeth and smile is almost a million bucks!
Grab your balls and embrace your braces! LOL!
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Offline bracessd

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #21 on: 13. February 2018, 17:21:54 PM »
Quote from: 23BRT on 13. February 2018, 01:21:22 AM
Embarrassment has zero appeal to me.
Wearing braces with confidence appeals to me.

I like how braces look on adults. I like how I look in braces. Not just in a kinky way. By wearing braces I have no interest in implying that that I have dental issues or I'm an adolescent.  To me it's the braces themselves not their cultural significance or a narrative they invoke.

Somehow, as a kid braces just got baked into my head as what an attractive mouth should have. For the sake of public health I can see why braces should not be jewelry. Still, I can't see my mouth as attractive without them. It's strange.

Anyone else feel this way?

I completely understand. Growing up and seeing everyone with beautiful, straight teeth with braces has made me attracted to them and makes me relate a beautiful smile to braces.
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Offline ortho218

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #22 on: 13. February 2018, 22:07:34 PM »
I don't know that 'embarrassing' is the right word but I certainly understand how people feel self-conscious wearing braces, and maybe a little nervous about what other people might think/say. But then I've never worn braces myself so not sure if I'd feel embarrassed or not!
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Offline cp927

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #23 on: 13. February 2018, 22:51:37 PM »
As an adult is a choice, you know what is it, why you do that.
As a teenager, is more difficult. You had to have those horrible device, to be beautiful mouth later !

The first day to school with headgear, is probably the worse nightmare ever !!, for me very embarrassing !

sure, a very common fixed brace is not
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Offline erin_wires

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #24 on: 20. February 2018, 02:43:49 AM »
I am still getting used to my new braces but i havent been embarrassed by them yet. Trying to have fun with it!
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Offline mrmajestic723

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #25 on: 20. February 2018, 04:20:04 AM »
6 months in and no embarrassment. But I love them so I am biased against embarrassment. I have even gone with colors. How do yours look Erin? Colors?
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Offline r1r1r12000

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #26 on: 20. February 2018, 16:43:49 PM »
After a year and a half of metal braces, no embarrassment.  I work in a professional job, but I've decided to have fun with colored ligatures and elastics.  I just give my normal smile and nobody seems to care.
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Offline bracessd

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #27 on: 20. February 2018, 16:48:23 PM »
Quote from: erin_wires on 20. February 2018, 02:43:49 AM
I am still getting used to my new braces but i havent been embarrassed by them yet. Trying to have fun with it!

How did it go getting them? What colors did you pick? Are you going to share updates?
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Offline erin_wires

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #28 on: 21. February 2018, 03:14:44 AM »
So far so good, my teeth were sore to begin with but theyre getting better, i went with purple, and i'll probably share some updates every now and then! Thanks for the interest everyone!
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Offline bracessd

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Re: Are Braces Embarrassing?
« Reply #29 on: 21. February 2018, 17:24:10 PM »
Very nice. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
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