Metal Mouth Message Board

Most of these threads it seems like it's all women here. I just turned 19, got my braces on when I was 17. Got about 6 more months to go.

On another note, it sucks being in COLLEGE with braces.

It's not terrible, I'm just saying that I feel somewhat alienated because I seriously think I am the ONLY student at my college with braces.

I'm graduating from my bachelor's this year, and I've had my braces for the last 1.5 years. I didn't find having braces while in college any different from if I didn't have them. In fact, people were asking me what it was like to have them cause they were considering it for themselves.

So what if you were, in fact, the only one at your school with braces? I don't see how that warrants being alienated. Anyway, isn't being unique and different a good thing?

Seriously, I've had members of the faculty at my college come up and ask me about my braces and how they've considered getting braces. Some of them are worried about getting their kids in braces and think they can't afford it for themselves. They ask questions about what kind of payment plans ortho offices have. I've gotten on the good sides of many profs simply by smiling.

I'm a 31-year-old first-year male medical student, hopefully getting braces soon. I'll be the only one in my med school class with braces. There's one guy I know of in the graduating class who has braces.

Lots of us guys here. Hey I'm in high school with braces...as a teacher and coach. no big deal. We get them when the need, determination, and financing all mesh correctly...kinda like our bites after we're done! Like I said before elsewhere on this board..."It's my turn now." (after the kids)

btw, there are other college students here as well as young adults in various professions. You are not alone.

I'm a 27 year old guy with braces. It can't be THAT bad being in college with braces.....hell, even if I had to wear headgear, I'd give anything to live those years again!!!

You're not the only guy here. There are a bunch of us here.

At least at 19 your future wife will only know you with the wonderful smile you're going to have. I met my fiance last year and she has the not so wonderful memory of what my teeth looked like. I sometimes consider myself lucky that she actually still talked to me with the way my teeth were and her perceptions about image.

Next year I'll be 39, getting married, and have braces still probably.

- Bill

I'm not a guy, but just wanted to let you know that I just graduated college and still have my braces! I got them on a week after I turned 21 - instead of being excited to get into bars, I was getting questioned by bouncers no matter where I went. I went from 21 to 12 overnight!

No big deal though - you should be glad you got braces now. Its never a good time to have braces after the age of 13... but from the point of view of a female, I'd rather you have braces than have crooked teeth.

FYI - the quarterback at my college has braces and is very good looking! No worries : )

I had the opportunity to get braces when I was 19 while I was in college...decided not to because I was worried about the way I'd look (My front teeth are perfectly straight...it's the back teeth that are a mess).BIG MISTAKE!
I am now 31 years old and have been having MAJOR problems with my teeth these past few years. My back bottom teeth have all tipped and tilted, I've got 2 twisted pre-molars, and I had huge gaps on front bottom teeth (they are gone now thanks to braces). I also started grinding and clenching when I was 29. All this could've been prevented when I was 19 and it would've only taken a year to fix my teeth. It's going to take between 2 1/2 years-3 years to fix the mess now!!
So I applaud you for taking the plunge and getting braces while you're young. And don't worry about what people think. If they don't like you because you have braces then they aren't worthy of being your friends/girlfriends.
Besides I think boys with braces are really cute.


Jessica

i'm here at 50 retainerjoe

errr... no, you are not alone, we are just a minority. I'm male, 46 and the only one in my office, no, in the whole office building with braces. It sucks. Point is, it sucks at every age and in every situation. There is never the right time for braces, but there is a right thing to do, so hang in!

DireWire

LMAO I graduate next year from college and I had braces and now in upper and lower hawley retainers... I have seen a "HUGE" number of people at my college with braces...

Oh by the way I'm a guy, I'm 22 years old and I work with the FireDepartment

I agree with DireWire. There is no "right" time for braces. And let me tell you one thing more. It does not necessarily become easier to undergo orthodontic treatment while you are in your 30ies or 40ies. A lot of people think that people at the age of 30+ automatically care less about the braced appearance than younger people. Sometimes it is so, but sometimes middle-aged folks obsess more about their looks than teenagers!?
So there is no doubt in my mind. You are doing the right thing in regards to braces. It may suck at times as you may (or may not) feel handicapped (in particular in romantic relations etc). However, as soon as treatment is over you will be happy that you decided to have your teeth sorted out when still young.

Enjoy the remaining short time in braces

Danish (36-year-old guy in braces)

Hi
I'm male too. Not sure of the male/female ratio but sure are a few males on this board.

Can't say that you should feel like it sucks being in college with braces. I work as a teacther in high school and of course have a lot of students with braces. We share stories sometimes. I haven't had a single problem being an adult with braces. A lot of people ask about them but in a very polite way and out of curiosity. Most people don't even mention that I have braces. People just don't care.

Wear your braces with pride. I do. I only regret not doing this earlier in life.

//Wired.