Any teachers out there?

[Xenbuf]

Hi, I have only had my braces for 4 days. I am a fourth grade teacher and am a bit nervous about going back to work tomorrow. My students know that I got braces....we even did a unit on them in Science. I have a large group of friends at work who also know and are very supportive. I thought I wouldn't be self-conscience but I am a little, mostly because the way I talk has changed more than I thought it would.

So I was wondering if there are any teachers who have dealt with this. Any advice would be appreciated! I am also wondering how talking all day will affect my cheeks and tongue. Thanks!

[Ciara]

I can't answer your question since I don't have braces yet but I am also a teacher. I teach mostly undergraduate ESL classes, but a few graduate, at a local university. I'm worried how braces will influence my pronunciation and ability to speak clearly.

I have my first appointment on Thursday and am a bit worried.

I'll be following this thread to see what others have to say. Thank you for asking this.

Ciara

[gemini4]

I'm not a teacher, nor does my job involve much face-to-face time with other people (I work from home as a graphic designer). That said, I have noticed that I need to drink water more than ever before when I'm in situations where I do a lot of talking -- I find that my mouth gets dry pretty quickly now that I have braces. Is it possible for you to have a water bottle handy during class? That -- and applying lip balm frequently -- would be my only advice that might be helpful to you.

[hazybubbles]

I'm a secondary teacher, just got mine off yesterday. To be honest the kids really didn't care, they were more interested than anything as lots of them either had braces or knew they were getting them. Tips I suggest are make sure you take plenty of wax to school especially after adjustments. Something that is a minor annoyance can cause real pain after a whole day of talking. I also found my mouth got dried out more quickly so bottle of water is good too.

[denSMSgt]

You'll be amazed really that it won't take super long to get accustomed to your braces. About the only thing I have much of an issue with now is whistling. I just have to work a bit harder at it to compensate for the brackets.

This isn't my first rodeo in braces, but it was really odd when I got them again that it took a week-ish or more to get used to them. I remembered back to them being no problem, and was actually shocked when I got braces again a decade-ish later and my mouth was all torn up from not being used to the brackets rubbing. Of course now, I'm back to hardly thinking about the braces being there except for clearing food, and now that I have elastics.

I often speak and give briefings, it's really no big deal. On the other hand, it was tougher to get accustomed to speaking last time with a palate expander and then with a hawley retainer.

Y'all will totally be fine, just give it a bit of time, and again, it's usually not very long.

SMILE!

[Xenbuf]

Well, I made I through the day and it wasn't bad. My mouth hurts a little but thank God for wax. My speech was a bit off. I have a hard time with the S sound, but my students had no problem understanding me. It helps that my classroom is wired with surround sound and I have a microphone. I never used it until today. The kids just had a lot of questions about how they feel and all that. Most coworkers didn't even notice if they weren't told before hand.

Thanks for the chap stick and water bottle advice. Those helped so much as did wax. I think I am more critical of my speech than anyone else is.

[CJP]

I'm a college professor. I've found that my college students tend to be about as observant as 4th graders. I now have metal uppers and lowers. Last week, I also gained this enormous spring (along with an upper powerchain across the entire arch), etc.

Other than me stopping to have a drink of water (and who doesn't do that in lectures than range from 2-4 hours long) they don't seem to notice - or care.

I wondered the same as you at first. But quickly got over it. They do not care or mind. In fact, I imagine you'll be a good role model and source of information for your students - it's a good thing!!

You go be beautiful and live to your best!

[starfish88]

I'm a teaching assistant at a pre-school and often the kids there want to know about my braces and if they are going to get them. Amazingly a lot of them said they really want 'bracelets' on their teeth! My only issue with one child is that his mum has told him that if he doesn't brush his teeth and eats lots of sweets his teeth will end up like mine! I was like It made me feel really self concious, not to mention its not true. I also thought 'way to give him a fear of the dentist...I wouldn't have braces now if I hadn't been to scared to get them as a teen'. And he has made some comments like 'your teeth are really ugly' which really hurt but i just had to get on with it, afterall I can't be bullied by a pre-schooler!

I did find braces made my teeth tired and I thought I was lisping more but the children don't seem to notice (and at that age they would let me know!). Its really hard when i'm teaching them letter sounds though because I have to make such an effort to make sure i'm pronouncing stuff right that it sounds all 'wrong' and 'forced'.

[N'awlinsRach]

I teach and have been in metal uppers and lowers for nearly two and a half years. My kids usually tease me because they have gotten theirs off already. It is good if you are able to laugh at yourself. I spit a lot when I talk now, and sometimes have quite a lisp.

[Duncan5]

Teaching assistant for age 10-11. The upper braces were OK (made me very thirsty as they tasted salty) but the lowers + turbos were interesting the following day, lisp city. Took about three weeks to get back to normal and still occasionally stumble over complex sequences. Just have to talk more deliberately, which is probably not such a bad thing.

Kids have been fine about it, some exclamations of "You're wearing braces!" and then just accept them and get on with work. There are a couple who are expecting to be in the dentist's chair soon and so I've answered questions in a non-playground rumour way.