This is a great list!
Don't tell me:
"Your teeth are fine, I don't know why you got braces." Usually followed by, "So are they just cosmetic then?" (Wait, you mean the ortho was wrong and my teeth are straight?! Where were you 2 months ago when I paid a load of money to get these things?!)
"Did you get braces?" (No, I've had them for years, you mean you never noticed?)
Do tell me:
"Your braces make you look younger"
"I got mine when I was in my 30's (40's, etc) and I am so glad I did!"
Celiac Mom
Dos and Don'ts for Unbraced People Embracing Braced People
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hahaha... JUST cosmetic? So people don't buy and wear makeup for purely cosmetic reasons? What about clothing? YOu cannot tell me with a straight face that you buy manolo blahnik shoes and that's not purely cosmetic lol. I dont' understand why people seem to believe it's wrong to fix your teeth but it's perfectly normal to purchase and wear clothes and make up. 
I'll go one better than them. I paid an ortho with the money I did not spend on clothes and makeup. hehehehe!
I'll go one better than them. I paid an ortho with the money I did not spend on clothes and makeup. hehehehe!
Don't tell me "I think your orthodontist is trying to rip you off." when my treatment has gone over.
Don't ask me "what happens if the gaps can't be closed?" This is not funny!
Don't stare at my teeth and then tell your kid "You should get braces now because you don't want to end up with them as an adult!" like it's the worst thing that could happen in life.
Please tell me when I have something stuck in my brackets! My husband never seems to notice when we're out eatting.
Do tell me that my teeth will look great.
Don't ask me "what happens if the gaps can't be closed?" This is not funny!
Don't stare at my teeth and then tell your kid "You should get braces now because you don't want to end up with them as an adult!" like it's the worst thing that could happen in life.
Please tell me when I have something stuck in my brackets! My husband never seems to notice when we're out eatting.
Do tell me that my teeth will look great.
This list is brilliant, couldnt agree more with what people are saying!
Dont pretend your interested about my treatment/reasons if you arent. If you dont care, dont ask just because you feel like you should!
Do feel free to ask though if you are interested, i dont mind talking about my treatment and i dont think its something i should try and hide and not discuss.
Do consider the foods i can/cannot eat before inviting me out for a meal/round for dinner, makes such a difference if people are accomodating.
Dont suggest in any way or form that you think im 'wasting my money'.
Finally when you notice someone has just got braces fitted, say something positive! When i met my friends for the first time after my fitting (i didnt tell any of them i was having it done) one of them said "I had them when i was younger and although they arent much fun at the time, they are one of the best things ive had done. Good on you for taking the plunge, it will be one of the best things you have ever done." A little reassurance goes a long way at the start!
Dont pretend your interested about my treatment/reasons if you arent. If you dont care, dont ask just because you feel like you should!
Do feel free to ask though if you are interested, i dont mind talking about my treatment and i dont think its something i should try and hide and not discuss.
Do consider the foods i can/cannot eat before inviting me out for a meal/round for dinner, makes such a difference if people are accomodating.
Dont suggest in any way or form that you think im 'wasting my money'.
Finally when you notice someone has just got braces fitted, say something positive! When i met my friends for the first time after my fitting (i didnt tell any of them i was having it done) one of them said "I had them when i was younger and although they arent much fun at the time, they are one of the best things ive had done. Good on you for taking the plunge, it will be one of the best things you have ever done." A little reassurance goes a long way at the start!
do's and dont's
I love the list so far. I agree with everything! Mine are kind of similar, but...
Don't tell me that my teeth were straight (or looked fine) and that I didn't need braces. People without braces just don't seem to get that braces do so much more than straighten teeth.
After explaining all about serious bite problems and overjets, tmj, gaps, etc., DON'T tell me "Oh, I never noticed any overbite."
DON'T tell me that I'm paying too much money, "just to look perfect."
DO tell me that my metal braces are cute.
DO tell me that getting braces is perfectly normal because so many people get them, even as adults.
Don't tell me that my teeth were straight (or looked fine) and that I didn't need braces. People without braces just don't seem to get that braces do so much more than straighten teeth.
After explaining all about serious bite problems and overjets, tmj, gaps, etc., DON'T tell me "Oh, I never noticed any overbite."
DON'T tell me that I'm paying too much money, "just to look perfect."
DO tell me that my metal braces are cute.
DO tell me that getting braces is perfectly normal because so many people get them, even as adults.
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ninamcg123
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:47 am
Don't: tell me my teeth are already straight, then ask me why I still have my braces on. Yes, the front teeth are straight but the cross bite you can't see still needs work! Duhhh!!
Don't: tell me your horror stories from when you had them as a kid/teenager in trying to relate to me. It's not the same.
Don't: ask me if they hurt. No, they don't hurt at all. These things glued to my teeth with metal wires connecting them to pull my teeth around my mouth doesn't hurt at all. (ok so it's only really bad at the beginning, but still!)
Don't: ask me if I set off airport THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR.!
Don't: tell me your horror stories from when you had them as a kid/teenager in trying to relate to me. It's not the same.
Don't: ask me if they hurt. No, they don't hurt at all. These things glued to my teeth with metal wires connecting them to pull my teeth around my mouth doesn't hurt at all. (ok so it's only really bad at the beginning, but still!)
Don't: ask me if I set off airport THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR.!
I've had braces for two months and have been asked that question three times. I can't help but laugh in their faces even when they are dead serious.ninamcg123 wrote:
Don't: ask me if I set off airport THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR.!
Do ask me about my experience
Don't Assume I'm embarrassed of them
Don't talk to others behind my back when I'll find out.
Radiance clear uppers and metal lowers
1st of 3 consultations = 3/11/10
Records & Such = 4/21/10
Upper Brace Day = 5/11/10
Lower Brace Day = 7/01/10
1st of 3 consultations = 3/11/10
Records & Such = 4/21/10
Upper Brace Day = 5/11/10
Lower Brace Day = 7/01/10
Don't ask me how expensive they were and if I give you a ball park figure, please DON'T look at me in shock like I've wasted my money.. Newsflash, Linguals cost thousands, to me this is an investment and I worked hard to pay for it.
Don't discount me as a potential partner because you learn I have braces. Relax, they are not permanent, and I am not my braces.
Don't assume I got braces to have a perfect Hollywood smile, or that I am a perfectionist, am vain or really insecure. There is a lot behind a need for orthodontic work that doesn't involve physical perfection, sometimes it's about correcting a painful bite and annoying headaches.
Do have some understanding on days I may not be able to choose to eat the same things as you when we go for lunch.
Do comment on my progress but only if you geniunely mean it.
Don't discount me as a potential partner because you learn I have braces. Relax, they are not permanent, and I am not my braces.
Don't assume I got braces to have a perfect Hollywood smile, or that I am a perfectionist, am vain or really insecure. There is a lot behind a need for orthodontic work that doesn't involve physical perfection, sometimes it's about correcting a painful bite and annoying headaches.
Do have some understanding on days I may not be able to choose to eat the same things as you when we go for lunch.
Do comment on my progress but only if you geniunely mean it.
Do tell me that the ligutures really do match my eyes
Don't ring my phone and then go "Are you ok? Where are you? I thought the scrapman had run off with you"
Don't ring my phone and then go "Are you ok? Where are you? I thought the scrapman had run off with you"
11/11/10 - Got Braces (Top and Bottom) - Green Ligs
21/12/10 - First Adjustment - Bright Pink Ligs
01/02/11 - Second Adjustment - New Wire - Bright Blue Ligs
15/03/11 - Got Elastics 6.4mm to twist twice on both sides
10/05/11 - Got Power Chains and elastics both sides
21/06/11 - Power Chains on bottom, elastics on right hand side
Don't ask/tell me:
- 'why don't you just get veneers instead?' [like, veneers are a benign thing to do to a full mouth of perfectly healthy teeth? What planet are they from?]
- (another vote here for:) 'there's nothing wrong with your teeth!'
- 'so what if you can't bite through a sandwich/lettuce/open a pack of something with your teeth?' [i have an anterior open bite - they should trying to eat when your incisors don't incise!]
- 'there are plenty of other things you can do about your appearance before you stretch to straightening your teeth' [I beg your pardon? I may be fat but you are ugly and I can diet! Actually I am not really fat, just wanted to be brave enough to say that to someone once!]
- 'did the orthodontist tell you that you will need lifetime retainers/there is an increased risk of periodontal disease/you might get root resorption/you will lose precious enamel if they do IPR/your treatment might take more than 2 years/adult ortho is not stable/you won't be able to eat for 2 years...' [you get the drift. All this from someone who had the benefit of successful childhood ortho who calls me vain for wanting to do this, but still wears HIS retainers at night!]
- (from a sibling:) 'you getting braces is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of! there is nothing wrong with your teeth, and it is silly and vain to get them straightened. Oh, and by the way I am thinking of getting my boobs done after breastfeeding the kids' [my response: I fully support you in any decision you want to make with your own health and happiness]
- 'why don't you just get veneers instead?' [like, veneers are a benign thing to do to a full mouth of perfectly healthy teeth? What planet are they from?]
- (another vote here for:) 'there's nothing wrong with your teeth!'
- 'so what if you can't bite through a sandwich/lettuce/open a pack of something with your teeth?' [i have an anterior open bite - they should trying to eat when your incisors don't incise!]
- 'there are plenty of other things you can do about your appearance before you stretch to straightening your teeth' [I beg your pardon? I may be fat but you are ugly and I can diet! Actually I am not really fat, just wanted to be brave enough to say that to someone once!]
- 'did the orthodontist tell you that you will need lifetime retainers/there is an increased risk of periodontal disease/you might get root resorption/you will lose precious enamel if they do IPR/your treatment might take more than 2 years/adult ortho is not stable/you won't be able to eat for 2 years...' [you get the drift. All this from someone who had the benefit of successful childhood ortho who calls me vain for wanting to do this, but still wears HIS retainers at night!]
- (from a sibling:) 'you getting braces is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of! there is nothing wrong with your teeth, and it is silly and vain to get them straightened. Oh, and by the way I am thinking of getting my boobs done after breastfeeding the kids' [my response: I fully support you in any decision you want to make with your own health and happiness]
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jensceana73
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:11 pm
- Location: cow country
- Contact:
DON'T....DO NOT....
Kock your head, curl your lip and scrunch your eyes and say to me...."sooo, your husband allowed you to do this???" WHA? HUH? Are you kidding me? Are...you...kidding me?
Ya, you caught me. I snuck out late at night to get these braces because my "master" was sleeping and forgot to lock me in the dungon. PA....LEASE. It's 2010....I, own him.
Kock your head, curl your lip and scrunch your eyes and say to me...."sooo, your husband allowed you to do this???" WHA? HUH? Are you kidding me? Are...you...kidding me?
Ya, you caught me. I snuck out late at night to get these braces because my "master" was sleeping and forgot to lock me in the dungon. PA....LEASE. It's 2010....I, own him.
If God wanted me to have straight teeth, he would have made my parents rich..or so I was told....
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to view my SAGA-
NervousNewbie
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:03 pm
- Contact:
These have been mentioned in some fashion or another, but they are the things that really irk me ---
Don't ask me how much they cost. That's so rude. Did I ask you how much anything you're currently wearing costs? What would you do if I did? If you had some sort of medical treatment, what would your reaction be if I asked to see the bill? That's what I thought.
Don't say that you can tell I am having trouble talking, or adjusting my mouth, or eating. I sit next to a girl at work for eight hours a day who always makes the most ignorant comments - "Oh, that looks painful..." "I can tell you're having trouble chewing that!" "Your lips always get stuck on your braces when you talk; you have trouble speaking all the time."
Also, please try to remember not to offer me things that I told you I'd rather not eat because either I can't chew it or it's going to be painful for me to try to chew. We've gone over this a million times already. I hate the, "Oh, yeah, that's right. You can't."
Don't ask me how much they cost. That's so rude. Did I ask you how much anything you're currently wearing costs? What would you do if I did? If you had some sort of medical treatment, what would your reaction be if I asked to see the bill? That's what I thought.
Don't say that you can tell I am having trouble talking, or adjusting my mouth, or eating. I sit next to a girl at work for eight hours a day who always makes the most ignorant comments - "Oh, that looks painful..." "I can tell you're having trouble chewing that!" "Your lips always get stuck on your braces when you talk; you have trouble speaking all the time."
Also, please try to remember not to offer me things that I told you I'd rather not eat because either I can't chew it or it's going to be painful for me to try to chew. We've gone over this a million times already. I hate the, "Oh, yeah, that's right. You can't."
Braced September 23, 2010
Debraced February 20, 2014
Estimated Treatment Time: 24 months
Actual Treatment Time: 41 months
My Journey