Self-Consciousness

[Jingle]

Hello, everybody!

I just recently registered to this forum partly because of the fact that I myself have braces, and I like hearing about other people's stories and also because I can relate to a lot of the problems other members are facing.

I have had braces for over 1 1/2 years now, and am due to have them come off in a couple of months. Over this time, I have been having mixed feelings on braces. Having orthodontists, dentists and jaw specialists examine and analyze my teeth and all of their...shortcomings so closely was like dropping a bomb on my already uncertain adolescent feelings about myself. Before considering braces, I really didn't notice them all too much. Sure, one was sticking out a bit more than the others, but it wasn't something I paid attention to. After reading 10 page reports on my many imperfections in that area however, I became so self-concscious that I could barely stand looking in the mirror anymore. I came home and bawled after talking to the orthodontist in the orientation about getting braces.

Despite the fact that after finishing with braces I will have a perfect bite, jaw alignment and straight teeth, I wonder if I'll ever be truly content with the state of my mouth again. Even as it is now, I notice every space, every slight protusion, every curve and gap that isn't how it's supposed to be. My orthodontist has no difficulty telling me of the problems with my bite, but he never once comments on how strong, healthy or white they are.

Braces will certainly improve my teeth, but they destroyed my self-confidence at the same time.

I don't mean to end on such a pessimistic note. I was just wondering if anybody had the same experience as I had, or had any thoughts they wanted to share. I know I will feel immeasurably grateful for them later in life, I guess I'm just having a bit of a low time with them as of currently, well, maybe just a bad week in general.

Ciao.

[jcdamon3]

Well you really don't want totally perfect teeth. It can be very distracting in my opinion. If you think you want perfect teeth, go check out the movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You do not want perfect white teeth, like his. I was totally creeped out after watching that movie. Even Catherine McPhee on American Idol - her teeth were distracting for me because they were totally perfect. I mean you have to wonder when you see teeth like that how they got that way. Are they fake or what? Straight teeth are nice. Totally perfect teeth without a flaw - let's get real!

Try to realize that some of your flaws help you be an individual and can actually be endearing to others. My daughters is in her early teens and she picks on every shortcoming she has (which believe me are few). I think back to those days and I think I was like that too when I was her age. It is such a shame. The young girls don't realize how beautiful they really are and they find a flaw about themselves and obsess over it. Now I look back and think about all that time I wasted feeling bad about myself and I was probably beautiful just like my daughter is now.

Look your best - the best you can -- but don't try to be perfect. Your inner beauty will come through.

[M1k3y]

A lot of it has to be your self-esteem. You've got to come to a point where you will accept yourself and know that your smile is getting better wtih time. This is always what keeps my head up but then again I have always had high self-esteem and self-confidence. I don't think "perfect teeth" is a distraction because it is a beautiful site. Celebrities usually have porcelain veneers over their teeth because it is a quick fix and gives the illusion that they have perfect teeth when in reality it is just covering up their imperfections. We on the other hand will have better teeth because we are not covering up but rather fixing the problem. Once my braces come off I already know where I'm going for my teeth whitening. I can't wait.

[Jingle]

All your comments were very helpful and made me look at things from a different perspective. This is nothing to the trials some people face, and I will hopefully get out of my self-conscious phase soon.

[Chris87]

I am similar, I can't bare to look at people, if I'm talking to someone I look at the floor or ceiling, I have practically locked myself in my room for the last 2 years because I just don't want to see people. I was so happy that my jaw surgery was going to be before I went to university so that I could actually have the convidence to talk to people once I was there but then my surgery was put back 6 months, so I guess I'm going to spend my first term at uni avoiding everybody. Great

[serendipity]

I completely understand where you are coming from - I experienced the same kind of reaction when I first met with my orthodontist - I thought to myself even if I don't get braces I am never going to be able to be happy with my teeth/smile after hearing about everything that is wrong with it. But I realised that orthodontistcs view things from a technical point of view and in reality the things they bring to your attention (technical issues) aren't things that other people generally notice.

Cheer up! Your getting your braces off within the next couple months - I'm so jealous - enjoy your de-banding and remember to post some snaps so we can be jealous over your lovely smile.

~serendipity

[ingyandbert]

I think you need to put things in perspective and not focus so much on your teeth. That's not all there is to you nor to life. It sounds like you've become a bit too preoccupied with it. After you've adjusted to having your braces off I'm sure you'll turn your attention to other things. In the meantime, try not to make it more important than it really is.

[missing_tooth]

A lot of it has to be your self-esteem. You've got to come to a point where you will accept yourself and know that your smile is getting better wtih time. This is always what keeps my head up but then again I have always had high self-esteem and self-confidence.

So very true. What I was considering braces a coworker who had braces ( Had them off before I started working there ) found time to talk to me about it. He said, yeah, people may say it's vainity but really it's about self confidence, self esteam and taking care of yourself. He went on to say, he noticed that when I smile I look down and turn to the side. I then decided I was too young to spend the rest of my life hiding my smile.

- Missing Tooth -