Did braces change your personality?

[Angel269]

Hi. I am 24 year old married woman and am looking to start ortho treatment within the next month or so. I was hoping to have Clearstep aligners but after a combination of trouble with my dental practice and estimated treatment time of 18 months verses clear fixed for around half the time (9 months), I probably plan to go with the clear fixed (upper arch only).

Did you find that you were generally alot more confident, happier etc after you had your braces off (or even possibly during)?

I have a large (ish) gap between my top two front teeth, which are slightly twisted and look quite prominent due to this. The reason I ask is I am a very self conscious and shy person, when I meet people. I don't like meeting people and talking to them because I know they are staring at my teeth (I assume they think why hasn't she had her teeth fixed). I ask because I am very self conscious and because I don't like meeting people and talking to people I am worried people assume I am either very rude/stuck up or grumpy because I just won't really ever talk to people when I am out. I have found it very hard, especially since I have a 10 month old son and am struggling to meet other parents at baby groups.

I am very nervous about the idea of getting braces as I am worried that people will stare and ask questions like "why didn't you get your teeth fixed as a teenager" (especially as I am in UK and would have had it done free on the NHS around 12 years ago or so) but at the same time I need to do something to get out of this depressing viscious cycle which I feel I am stuck in and have been for years.

[auco99]

Just do it. I have clear uppers and most people don't even know I have them. Plus, your mouth with braces will look better than your mouth with a gap. 9 months is nothing. I'd kill if I could be done with this in 9 months. You'd be crazy not to go for it.

And to answer your question, braces made me a little more confident. Well, my clear uppers did, not so much these metal lowers that can be seen from space and make me lisp like a 5 year old.

[Acklay]

If anything getting braces (metal braces for 2 years+ in my case) has made me more confident. My teeth we never terrible, but they do need work, and I feel like having braces just shows that I care enough about my looks and my health to do something positive. In the month I've had braces, very few people even mention them. Of the few that do, all of their comments have been positive.

I used to be an extremely shy person, but if you want my advice just relax. I know it's easier said than done, and I still have trouble with this at times, but people want you to be comfortable around them and they are not going to judge you for being yourself. Braces are something that will benefit you in the long run, and frankly, to not get braces would not be fair to yourself. Looks may not be the most important thing, but if having a better smile will make you more confident, then you owe it to yourself to have this done.

Also, nine months is a very short time to have braces. The time will fly by, and before you know it this will all be over with.

[Angel269]

Thank you for your comments-I have found them very comforting. The reason I didn't have treatment was 3 years ago I overcame a serious dental phobia, which prevented me from going anywhere near a dental practice for 7 years.

As a child and pre teen I saw a very rude and impatient NHS dentist that had no time for children. Fortunately I never needed any fillings or anything but I remember when braces being mentioned to me about the age of 10 I was mortified and freaked out big time and knowing that the thought of having them loomed over me I thnk that was the main trigger of my dental phobia.

For a couple of years (and possible further back) I have thought if I could just do this but the thought of having them made me unable to do something and go for it. I have now come to the conclusion it is now or never. I don't want to pick my son up from nursery or school when he is older and people remember me with the description of the one with teh bad teeth. I also want to have photos with me and my son (as there aren't many) and I would love to redo my wedding photos with me smiling properly, as relatives have said "I wish you would smile in your photos" as I have a closed smile.

I am determained to do this but as you all know, it's just the worry of the looks and questions :-(

[OldBikerBag]

I am rude, stuck up and grumpy. It's my nature. I don't think having the braces installed changed that, nor do I think for a second it will be any different when they are removed.

(Note: This post was written with tongue firmly in cheek...or as firmly as possible with all the hardware...)

[AM21]

My braces have helped me a lot! I was in the same situation as you before braces. Very shy, always looking down when I spoke. Afraid to speak to anyone because I felt like they were just staring at my teeth the whole time.

As my teeth have straightened out. My confidence has shot through the roof. I look directly at people when I speak to them. I no longer cover my teeth whenever I smile or laugh. For the first time, I feel comfortable in my own skin.

So if you want to get braces, go for it! Not only does it improve your health but also your confidence.

Good Luck!

[xanidu2012]

This is my 2nd go round with braces. I've always had a friendly outgoing, fun personality. I used to always have a smile on my face and a laugh in my voice until a few years ago. I started staying in the house more and more because I was self-conscious of my teeth. The person who was in the pictures now became the person taking the pictures. My mom who by the way is 88 said its time for braces. She started me on my 2nd go round and she goes with me to each appointment just like when I was 10 with my first set of braces. Thank God for mothers

[Angel269]

That's lovely that your mother is so supportive. I too am the one taking pictures and refuse to be in any-at least I should shed aload of weight as well and then feel confident about having photos with my son (something that my smile has held me back from doing).

I mentioned to one close friend and vaguely to my mother in law that I was going to get Clearstep but now that I'm 99% sure I'm going for clear fixed nobody except my husband knows.

I do feel very alone generally an feel thy the braves would make me feel a bit more isolated as I don't know of anyone else with them (except hubby's 17 yr old niece who we see once in a while as she lives far from us). I am hoping that the isolation may pass as I would gain some confidence and as I see more and more positive changes as my teeth improve.

[xanidu2012]

Thnx Angel269. Im the only 1 in family wearing braces but as I go about my daily routine and running errands I come across young people and adults that are wearing braces and they are actually conversation starters . The feeling of isolation is slowly going away and it will for you too. Im 50 with a 4year old son (yea that's a whole nother story in itself ). But my 4yo always wants to see my braces. He gets a tickle when I change the colors of my ligs so its actually turning into a fun experience

[nogoingback]

I hate my braces and have become quite shy. I don't smile or laugh comfortably any more and find big social things really difficult. I would still get them again despite how I feel now as my teeth were only going to get worse. Maybe when the extraction gaps close I'll feel a bit better but I've got another 6-8 months to go before that happens. I wish I could just get over feeling so miserable especially as it is affecting my relationship with my husband.

[Kirsten2011]

Hi there,
This is my second round at braces, I am 34 years old, female and work in a large corporate within the Sales environment, so a bulk of my job is seeing people either at the office or visiting clients, especially recruiting new sales business. One would think that braces would get in the way, but in fact its just the opposite! I got braced for the second time February 2011 and to date, and its been a blast! In fact, its such a talking point initially, its a great way to get a conversation going. Furthermore, it shows you who in your life (friends, family, strangers) are more concerned with image/stereotype than you as an actual human being! It has in fact raised my confidence, its a great way to 'test' people out there and if you have a positive attitude, it rubs off on those around you
Fair enough, it has its moments. Eating after an adjustment is never easy, getting used to wearing a power-chain (if you get given those!), is not that cool, having the feeling of having your teeth 'loose' in your mouth can be midly disturbing and forget about things like peanut-brittle, muesli, toffee sweets, etc for the duration of your treatment But all in all, you need to remember the main reason you are doing it: to improve your own self-image and being. As I write this I just had an appt this morning with my orthodontist and was wonderfully surprised to hear him say to me that I only need 2 or 3 more appts and then the braces come off!! So best case scenario, I will have Christmas with no wires! Yay!! And all the 22 or so months would have been even more worth the effort and this whole experience just happened so quickly!
Also, more and more adults are being braced these days. Mine are metal uppers and lowers and I have had fun with all the colours too!!
Good luck and well wishes with your braces xx

[scottyc]

I am 23 with ceramic braces (20 months so far) and i'm very shy, socially awkward and struggle to hold a conversation. Could hardly open my mouth when speaking and always closed mouth smile and even then I looked grumpy. I particularly hated going for a haircut and see my teeth in the mirror when talking so I tried to avoid it as much as possible and reinforced the problem when talking to people.

I still have a few months left to go but my teeth are mostly straight and since having them i've felt a little more confident, I can talk better and don't mind if people can see my braces because my teeth are more or less straight and I also started smiling showing teeth on photos. And you can't even see the braces on the photos. Only 1 person has ever mentioned them and she talked about how she had them as well. Really no one cares about them and anyone saying anything negative you would be super super unlucky. People will look, may or may not notice but most won't say anything at all. Don't project how you see others as to how they see you.

I would not say my personality has changed much because i'm shy anyway, it wasn't really my teeth causing problems. However this could all change when I get them off and I may realise that my teeth caused me more confidence issues than I first realised. When I get them off I plan to take action and just smile and make eye contact with everybody.

[nifer237]

Nope, not in the least.

[batwing]

I'm on day 13 of being braced. I have clarity uppers and metal lowers.

I can tell you that I've been relieved by this whole process. I would say it's brought me out of my shell some, which surprised me. Since being braced people have asked with genuine curiosity about the process, often because they considered it themselves.

I also agree with what Kirsten2011 said about meeting new people. It's a great conversation starter. Because mine are clear-ish people don't notice them at first, and when they do they ask what kind they are, how I like them, etc.

My biggest fear in making this decision was someone saying to me, "FINALLY, your teeth are awful" or something along those lines. Nobody has. Nobody has even come close to saying that. I've had nothing but support. It's also made me more comfortable in talking about myself, I can now say, "I'm not happy with this, so I'm doing something about it", when in the past I would rather not talk about my smile at all.

As far as the dental fear, the worst part for me was getting spacers. The appointment wasn't bad at all, but the days following were painful. Getting the braces placed (both top and bottom on the same day) took around two hours and I was given a lot of breaks to go to the bathroom, move my jaw, and rinse my mouth.

When I was first thinking about being braced, I told my dentist what I wanted to do and let him know that I was terrified and preferred an orthodontist who worked with a lot of adults. I met with two different orthos he recommended and my dentist gave me a spot-on recommendation for the guy I wound up going with- I LOVE his office and feel absolutely comfortable there. They're very gentle and his patients are about 30% adults.

[xanidu2012]

I was reading several posts that came after my last post on this topic and I agree my braces are actually a conversation starter. I've been asked the usual questions: do they hurt; when are they coming off and things of that nature. I find that I have a wonderful support relationship from family and this forum. I even found out that my bff in Florida has braces so we always exchange our ortho experiences. My husband thinks they are a kick . When I got braced up and the pain came a few hours later and the tears with pain he talked me thru it, made me soup. Whenever he's out and he sees something that will make this brace journey more bearable. (Waterpik, phos-flur, mint floss) he will purchase. All my kids especially my 4yo thinks the braces are . My 4yo tells me "we need to brush our teeth now" so its even fun for him . I know on 6/19/12 I'll be hurting again and probably in tears again because of the adjustment but I know its only temporary .