Metal Mouth Message Board

I've had braces for about 4 months and I still have 14 more months to go, which sounds like an eternity. But a year and a half in braces isn't that bad compared to some people.

I was never teased by my classmates, but one of my teachers made little comments here and there. He would talk about bad teeth and would point me out or use me as an example, but he was a jerk. He didn't just tease me for my teeth, but he would tease people that were overweight, of other ethnicities...

I think it's mainly the U.S. that finds it important to have straight teeth. I'm originally from Japan and the people there have really bad teeth, but they don't fix them. It's not because of the money, but because they don't find it important to have nice teeth. They actually think it's cute to hav...

I had a chance to get braces when I was about 14, but I was too scared to. My parents were constantly telling me to get braces, but I thought I would never be able to take the pain. Now at 18, I finally got enough courage to get braces and I'm happy I waited. Because I'm more mature, and I'm able to...

I had my first cleaning since I got braced. It went okay. They said I've been brushing my teeth well, but to floss harder. :( I swear these dentists floss like there's no tomorrow. They hurt like crazy and dig in to my gums until it bleeds. :shock: I also found out that I have to go in for a cleanin...

I don't think there's anything you have to worry about. At my last adjustment, my ortho didn't put ligs on some of my brackets. I'm sure two orthos can't make the same mistake. Well, hopefully!

I didn't get any teeth extracted because my ortho thinks that it should be the last resort. She said that if things don't go according to plan, I'll have to extract 4 teeth. I'm happy about that since many Orthos just extracts teeth so there job would be easier. I used to think it was odd since I ha...

I had my second adjustment on Thursday and everything went fine, but they told me that I had to go back in a couple of weeks for a 2 hour appointment. The orthodontists didn't tell me why so I asked the receptionist and she said that I needed to get 4 more bands put in. That sucks. She said that the...

I've always hated taking pictures, but ever since I got braces, it's much worse. If I smile, the braces takes up the whole space and I look hideous and when I don't smile, I look mean and like I have buck teeth. I hate it. I hate having to feel so ugly every day.

I realized that I've been grinding my teeth at night (occasionally) since I got braced. I never used to grind my teeth. Sometimes I wake up and there are ligs missing so I have to put them in. I'm worried that it'll slow my progress. Should I be concerned?

I think when I'm done, I'll be able to smile without covering my mouth, which would be a relief. I know that straight teeth wouldn't be a drastic change to one's life, but it's still a pretty great change. A smile is important in society, especially American society and even though it seems shallow,...

I think I'm the only idiot that still bites her nails. I just can't quit. It definitely hurts my teeth and I can hardly bite, but I still try. :? I can whistle without any problem, I still talk a lot, I snack like nobody's business, and I don't have any speech problems. I talk the same way I did bef...

I thought it would be fun to list celebrities that had braces. The ones I know are:

Drew Barrymore
Tom Cruise
Angelina Jolie
Dakota Fanning
Gwen Stefani

Drew Barrymore's teeth aren't even nice. Perhaps she didn't wear her retainer.

I got braced on Jan 3rd so it's been over a month. I don't think my progress is as great as everyone else, but here are the pictures. Before getting braced: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/discede/DSCF0014.jpg When I got braced: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/discede/DSCF0061.jpg Now afte...

When I look at people with crooked teeth, I immediately think of myself. I've only had braces for about 3 1/2 weeks so they're not completely straight. I don't feel sorry for them unless they're ashamed like I was. I remember when my teacher would talk about crooked teeth and would mention my name. ...