Dos and Don'ts for Unbraced People Embracing Braced People

[djspeece]

"So I will have the nicest smile in the cemetary."

Are you sure that our teeth stop moving after we die, even if we don't wear retainers? Is there a research to back it up?

I was planning to go with the retainer in place, of course. I am a very compliant patient. I mean just because I'm dead doesn't mean that I stop following the ortho's instructions.

[arciedee]

Love the responses here! I think we can all relate to the: "But I never noticed your teeth were [crooked, buck-teeth, out of line, whatever]." For one thing, it's a bunch of bull and for another, I'm not doing it for you. So ha!

Honestly most people have been very supportive.

Do say, "Oh, you'll be so glad you did it."

Or, "I know so-and-so who had braces as an adult and she doesn't regret a thing!"

Or, "Wow, you'll be even more beautiful after!" (seriously, you can't go wrong by complimenting me!)

If, however, you are a parent in the ortho office, do NOT look at me suspiciously when I get called back. I have no idea why my own desire for orthodontia would be offensive, but apparently some view it as such. Weird.

And, if you work at the ortho office, DO check my birthdate before calling to confirm my appointment. If I was born in the '70s there's a good chance that my mommy is no longer in charge of my calendar. To be fair, the woman happened to be the one who checked me out the next day and remembered the faux pas and apologized profusely, but then said something about, "I mean, especially these days there are a lot of adults getting braces." Um... I'm not doing this to be trendy, you know. Also, I knew a fair number of adults who had braces back when I was a kid, so it's not really all THAT uncommon!

[OldBikerBag]

DON'T tell me, "Well, So-And-So (famous entertainer) has (misalignment) and he/she doesn't seem to be affected by it." as an excuse for why I shouldn't spend the money.

I don't CARE what So-And-So did or didn't do about his or her teeth. His or her teeth probably aren't trying to extract themselves!

Oddly enough, most of the Hollywood/Nashville So-And-Sos brought into conversation are now ....wearing braces!