Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi everyone,

Discovered this fabulous forum yesterday and ben reading loads (huge thanks to the webmaster/s for starting it). I've hated my teeth since my mid-teens, fell between all available stools and missed out on braces, then didn't think about it, but in the last couple of years have built up to it.

My dentist first talked about invisalign, but I'm not suitable for them, so I was referred to an orthodontist. He says 18 months with top and bottom braces in white (claims they are barely visible), then a short wire retainer for life glued to the inside of top and bottom 4-6 teeth at the front.

Are there any other teachers who have done this? How did the kids take it (I teach 11-18).

I worry about braces and what people will think, but then logically I think they will see it better than my current wonky teeth. Next step is to make an appt, and start the process, 1 extraction is needed at the bottom.

So should I go for it? Any more questions I need to ask my orthodontist?

Seriously, my fave teacher from high school is now in braces and posting on this board, so you'll get some feed back I'm sure.

But from another perspective. This is the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. No one I deal with on a daily basis cares a wit what I have on my teeth, and those folks who know me are happy that I'm doing something positive for myself and my health.

Go for it!

I think that kids are altogether 'cooler' about braces than adults. A lot of them are going through the same thing themselves and understand the importance of a good bite and they take it in their stride. I can't imagine it being any problem at all.

shaolin,

I am an elementary school teacher and wore braces for 18 months, pretty much two school years. Both my kids and parents I worked with were very positive when I first got them and then pretty much forgot I even wore them. Many kids at my school also wear braces and I have had interesting converstations with them about our shared experience.

I just had them removed last May and am starting my first school year in two years without them and it is really wonderful. The hardest part of teaching and wearing braces was the mouth sores and all around fatigue from spending a whole day talking and coping with discomfort, especially when the elastics came. But, really, you do adapt and get used to them.

Good luck.

Becky

Hi---I am a middle school media specialist, and I have wanted braces since getting my permanent teeth. I finally got the braces last week, and my students have been great about it! They all want to give me advice and pointers...one girl even wanted to bring me some wax when I told her my mouth was sore.
The kids will definitely relate--- and, if you have wanted braces as long as I have - you'll be happy you did it! Good luck!

Hi- I'm a University professor and had braces. I too had the clear ones and they are definately pretty invisible from a distance (they hardly showed in my wedding photos!!!). I can say that University students could have cared less. Fellow faculty members were totally indifferent. In fact, I had them removed this past July, when the new semester started in August not one person noticed I had gotten them off. I guess they truly are invisible or people truly don't care..............go for it

I teach college and started out with ceramics on top. Was a bit disappointed
that I had them on three days and no one said a thing. I drew attention to it and one girl shrugged and said, "I thought you always had them." What comments I've had have been good natured. most of my college kids don't seem to care. A couple of kids at church thought it was totally cool.

Good luck and try to have fun with it!

Mike

I'm a high school teacher, and I got my braces last spring. I have had nothing but positive comments from staff and students. The kids think it's cool- I got school colours for my ligs this past month. We compare progress and admire the results of those who have finished treatment.

The only problem I've noticed is that I tend to slur a bit whenI speak to the entire class. I sound like Sylvester the Cat! The S's are the worst. It seems that projecting my voice is the problem. I do have wires on the inside, top and bottom, and those are causing the spit buildup and lack of clarity, not the outer brackets and wires. I just apologize for the funny sound and explain that I have braces, and it is not an issue at all. Half the class has had braces at one time and they understand. I also thank them for not laughing at me!

Another staff member just got invisalign and she notices the same slurring problem, but nobody can see that she has something on her teeth from a distance, so she figures they are really wondering what is going on with her!

Another friend teaches grade 3 and she has had no comments from students, other than the braces are cool.

When I came back this fall, several staff members commented on how straight my teeth are now- it was a good booster for me!

Go for it- you'll be glad you did, and you'll notice them far more than your students.

BTW, I'm 46, my invisaligned colleague is 53 (I think!) and my friend is 44-ish.

I agree that kids seem to find braces 'cool' no matter the age of the wearer so I wouldn't worry about what you students will think. it may be a good idea to have them fitted on a friday so that you have the weekend to get over the initial discomfort and get some speaking practice before going in front of the classroom.

I'm 42 and for me the braces has realised many emotions. Not every day is a good one and yes there is pain as the teeth move after installation and adjustments and there is pain from the ceramic brackets rubbing on your inner cheeks and there is discomfort as your tongue gets used to the metal also. You miss out on some foods like corn on the cob and ribs and, in the days immediatley post an adjustment, anything that requires hard chewing. My biggest loss is coffee, red wine and curry which I have had to cut back on as I have ceramics and pearl coloured ligs and the ligs stain with the coffee, red wine and curries. For me it is important that the braces remain discrete, hence I have not ventured into colored ligs, nor will I ever during the period of my treatment - a personal decision.

There is also great joy as the teeth begin to move into their correct positions in turn providing for less jaw discomfort ( mine used to almost dislocate from the bite not being proper prior to braces) and the cosmetic enhancement of having straight teeth is a wonderful thing that makes you feel good when you look in the mirror. I also have a big day of coffee, red wine and curry the day prior to an adjustment so that I don't miss out on the good stuff altogether. Where there is a will there is a way!

Besides the health issues of having misaligned teeth, there are the cosmetic side-effects which impact self-esteem.

Only you can know if the discomfort/s of your current situation v's a period of time in the maybe/sometimes/often (everyone is different) discomfort of braces will be worthwhile for you.

I think KK said it best with "be confident with your decision" whichever way you decide to go.

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement everyone, I still haven't lifted the phone and made the appointment yet, think I'll probably talk to some kids at school who have, will have or have had braces.

One thing this has surprised me about is how unsure of it I am. I'm normally pretty confident and straightforwards about making decisions and I know it is the right thing to do, but then again......

I'm soo glad I found this forum though, I really thought this would be a lonely individual thing to do - I'm about 90% of the way there at the moment and the support is helping push me the last 10%.

high school teacher here, 50
Have now had 1 week of classes and not one student has said a thing about my mouth. Several of my teaching colleagues have noticed and asked about it, politely, curiously, sympathetically, interested for themselves, but the kids who certainly can notice, just take it as something quite normal...braces are something you get when the need is there and the situation is right (money, time place whatever.) As for me, it's my turn now. Adjustment has been easy so far

I remember in high school our principal had braces, and the kids thought he was pretty "cool" for having something in common with them!

Just go for it. Trust me, it is one of the best things you can do for yourself. When I first got braces, most people didn't notice or if they did, they ignored it. A few people will notice, or make the brilliant observation: "Hey you got braces!" I got a bit tired of hearing that one after a while.

But really, it is a novelty for a few days and then you forget anout it, everyone else forgets about it, and life goes on. If it's something you want, get the ball rolling. Getting a consultation is a good first step. It will give you more information, and you don't have to commit to anything just yet.