Online dating and braces...

[braceface2b]

I'm in my mid 30s and dating. When I make a date with someone I've met "in the real world" I figure they've seen my braces and they're ok with them, but what about online dating? I've started giving that a try, and I'm debating whether I should mention it in my profile, or not and just surprise them.

Has anyone else been there?

[bbsadmin]

One drawback of mentioning it in your profile is that someone may want to date you because they have a braces fetish. Something to think about...

[Olivia]

Hi!

My two cents: I wouldn't mind braces on my online date at all... I don't know if you are male or female, but as a woman, also in her thirties and single and dating, I would say I'm looking for something more then appearance, and I like to see people taking care of themself and of their health!

I second the administrators post though..I wouldn't mention it in my profile...its no big deal...your date should feel the same way...

Hope this helps!

[bedazzlemouth]

i used to do the on-line dating thing (Ive put that on hold for now) and can tell you that those who do the on-line thing should know to factor in a small amount of surprise when they first meet someone. I had several interesting surprises while doing this but usually if it's something you can't deal with you can just walk away. Importannt thing to keep in mind is that although it is an easy avenue to meet people, it is often the case that alot of time and energy gets put into getting to know someone (minimally) before they decide to meet, so just don't prolong that. I agree that the mentioning the braces in your profile is a bad idea, but after you begin to chat with a potential date you should mention that you are currently working on improving yourself and that this does include braces for the next 2 years.

[tsmurfenator]

The dating web sites ask you for your eye color, age, height, weight, race, hair color, but not whether or not you have braces or not.

The presence of braces probably does speak volumes more about what you are actually like as a person than any of those other factors which the web sites do ask, and implies many qualities which almost universally increase one's dateability: wealth, hygience/cleanliness, general health, self-confidence, ability to commit, self-esteem, patience, vanity/perfectionism, etc. Also, let's face it, people who put braces are also generally more attractive, more fit, more stylish, to begin with than those who don't, and who have bigger things to worry about than details like the alignment of their teeth. So all other things being equal, without any further information to go on, I'll choose the one with braces any day of the week.

So, I can think of a million worse ways to choose partner than just if they have braces or not. Am I supposed to apologize if my braces (which I paid for and chose to do on my own) catch their attention before my beautiful blue eyes (an accident of DNA)? I'm not searching right now, but part of me would want to emphasize the braces strongly in my profile (because they are part of who I am), another part of me would not mention it at all (in rebellion of the notion than braces are an abnormal feature which should even be noted). In any case, even if you don't put it in your profile, you could still communicate it to people privately before meeting if it makes you feel more comfortable. 99% of folks, of course, truly won't care.

[tnstafl]

I've done online dating with braces, and I never mention it, and it's never been a problem. Of course, I have lingual uppers and ceramic lowers, so no one ever notices it anyway. I dated someone for over a month and they hadn't noticed my braces at all before I told them voluntarily. With respect to more noticeable types, I probably wouldn't mention it in a profile, but I might include a flattering picture that shows your smile with your braces, just so there won't be any surprises.

[lunadali]

I don't think it should matter, and it seems like you are making it a big deal if you actually mention it. Be casual and cool.

[Gladimeir15]

Having braces will not matter to me. What matter most is the desire and intention to meet new friends if it is genuine or for fun only. In fact having braces is a quite cool!!!!!

[Lisamichelle18]

I met a guy online once and he never mentioned he had braces. I was surprised for all of 2 secs and quickly forgot about it.

I am actually online dating right now and have mentioned it in my profile. All the messages I have gotten have been really positive ... I just haven't met anyone in person yet since I've been braced.

[ajs604]

I can relate to this as I did online dating whilst I had braces and met a really nice girl. We have now been together 8 months. I mentioned it to her after we had chatted for a a few days and she had no issues with it. I think most people are not superficial and value the fact that you are trying to better yourself. If they dont then it shows they are shallow minded and best avoided.

My two cents would be not to reveal that you wear braces on your profile. I mean 99.9% of people from my experience really don’t care. I never had a negative experience when dating with braces. Dont let wearing braces stop you from doing anything, its only temporary and in the long run will improve your confidence.

Good luck with the online dtaing!

[Ziggy]

Think about this: You meet someone and the first thing thing you notice is they always hold their hand over their mouth and talk with their lips closed. You're going to wonder what's wrong. Now, you meet someone and they flash a big smile with braces reflecting the sun and almost blinding you. Along with the braces, their personality shines through and you are probably attracted to them immediately.

[poetgirl115]

I'm still stuck on "braces fetish." That's seriously a thing? Really? Metal in the mouth? I am overwhelmingly disturbed right now. lol

[djspeece]

I'm still stuck on "braces fetish." That's seriously a thing? Really? Metal in the mouth? I am overwhelmingly disturbed right now. lol

Oh yeah. The amount of craziness in people is boundless. However I admit that when I first got my braces I was wondering if I would meet some super-hot woman with a braces fetish. Never happened.

[RachF]

I am single at the moment, if I venture into OLD I will post a picture of me with braces, just a natural smiling picture. That way if anyone is put off by it then they don't need to make it an issue, they can see it and just not interact with me in the first place.