Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:41 pm
I definitely DID hide my smile - in my senior portraits for my high school year book, I didn't feel that I could smile, and I really hate those photos.
AND, I've had people notice my bad teeth. Three examples:
1. A boss of mine, when I smiled at her, said, "Ugh, aren't you going to do something about those teeth?" (She was a very rude lady, but still - made me think that even though most people are too polite to mention it, they actually do notice.
2. When I was a waitress, a couple of wealthy-looking ladies I was waiting on were rude enough to say, "You know, we were just discussing it, and you would be so pretty if you just fixed those teeth."
3. A classmate at USC said, "You know, I think you're the first person I've met at this school with crooked teeth."
Anyway, I'm just glad that no one will have cause to say that kind of thing to me again.
Of course, now I notice people's bad teeth, and I feel like saying, "Hey, I did it! You should fix them - people of all ages do it, and it's really exciting to watch them all come into place!" Of course, I'd never say that, because I don't want to cause someone the pain that I felt when I realized that, although people rarely said anything, I was being judged for my teeth, and I would be judged for them unless I did something about it.
Getting braces will be one of the best things you ever do for yourself. It's healthy, makes you look and feel better, etc. And, when you love your straight new teeth, I think it will also inspire better oral hygiene - it did for me!
AND, I've had people notice my bad teeth. Three examples:
1. A boss of mine, when I smiled at her, said, "Ugh, aren't you going to do something about those teeth?" (She was a very rude lady, but still - made me think that even though most people are too polite to mention it, they actually do notice.
2. When I was a waitress, a couple of wealthy-looking ladies I was waiting on were rude enough to say, "You know, we were just discussing it, and you would be so pretty if you just fixed those teeth."
3. A classmate at USC said, "You know, I think you're the first person I've met at this school with crooked teeth."
Anyway, I'm just glad that no one will have cause to say that kind of thing to me again.
Of course, now I notice people's bad teeth, and I feel like saying, "Hey, I did it! You should fix them - people of all ages do it, and it's really exciting to watch them all come into place!" Of course, I'd never say that, because I don't want to cause someone the pain that I felt when I realized that, although people rarely said anything, I was being judged for my teeth, and I would be judged for them unless I did something about it.
Getting braces will be one of the best things you ever do for yourself. It's healthy, makes you look and feel better, etc. And, when you love your straight new teeth, I think it will also inspire better oral hygiene - it did for me!