Braces and Chickening out!?

[mapleleafman888]

Hello, well if you can't tell by my topic title I am really having a tough time mentally accepting the fact that I will need 18 months of braces to fix my issues. If you have read my other posts you'd know I am a 25 year old guy who has wanted to get his teeth fixed for a long time! (over 5 years).

I has a second consultation with an ortho the other day, and perhaps it's just my own withdrawl about getting braces but I felt as if he would do a good job and I liked the office but when I got home and read the paperwork I totally just shut down and lost my mojo! One reason was cost(not totally bad but still a few thousand to move teeth is alot!) , and another reason was I am facing the 'fear' of seeing co-workers reactions to my decision of wearing braces for 18 months...

Ah, why? lol, please this is tough so share some stories or encouragement because I really feel akward going ahead with this but I know it may be worth it.

[Ciara]

It is not near as bad as we imagine beforehand. I was having nightmares for weeks before I got them. I got them on, and it was not bad at all. In fact, the office manager only noticed I had them in Feb. I got them in November! There are so many more adults now with braces that it is not something strange or weird.

Yes, they are expensive but you are only 25. Having teeth that are easy to keep clean will save you so much time, money and pain later on. If you do it now, you will have a lifetime of good teeth, better health and a great smile There are many of us on here who wish we had this done when we were younger. Hang in there. It really isn't that bad.

[chichi]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

I don't have words of wisdom. My teeth have bothered me as long as I can remember and I'll admit that the first few days I was wondering, "What the heck did I just get myself into?!" But that initial shock was gone within a week and now I'm just dealing with eating and cleaning the braces and the occasional pain/clicky tooth. I've got a long way to go and I'm still hiding my mouth (it'll get better with time....it has to), but I'm feeling positive about it all now. None of my coworkers knew I was getting braces and no one has mentioned them.

You're not dying your hair purple or getting a tattoo on your face (assuming you don't already have those things)... you're getting braces, which is something that many others have gone through at some point in their lives and it may spark a conversation you wouldn't otherwise have.

[ajs604]

Hi, like everyone else says just go for it! I considered it for years I am 30 now and really wonder what all the fuss was about. Even on here a week or so before I got braced I considered backing out but am so glad I didnt. Just think if you do not do it you will always wonder 'what if'. This board is a great support mechanism and I am positive I would of never of done it without all that advice.

If you are worried about ascetics of braces why not consider clear cermaic, if it gives you that extra bosst why not. I work in a health setting and wear clear braces none of clients have ever noticed and when I tell people they really have to look twice. And sure the cost thing can be steep but its well worth it!

Best of luck and may the force be with you

[safetysquirrel]

Hey there! I'm a 25 year old female, and had/have the same concerns as you!

The best advice I can give you though is to jump into it. I'm four months into a 17 month sentence and I'm so glad I did it!

[veginess]

I totally understand why you're afraid, but I'm telling you right now that you don't need to be! I am probably the most vain person alive and I was extremely anxious about getting braces. Like you, it was something I'd wanted for a long time, but the thought of what people would think of me while I had them made me extremely nervous. When I got them on, I was still pretty nervous but after like 2 weeks of wearing them I really didn't care anymore! Not a single person made a big deal out of them, no one laughed at me or thought it was strange, and a few people told me they admired me and wished they had the time/money/courage to do the same thing! And here I am now, 17 months later and about to get my braces off! The time has absolutely flown by and I can't believe I'm already at the end. I strongly encourage you to man up and get 'er done! Those 18 months are gonna go by whether or not you have braces. If you get braces, at least you'll have straight teeth at the end of those 18 months! Wouldn't that be amazing?! I can tell you that it definitely is amazing.

[ca214]

33 yr old guy here.. I know exactly how you're feeling, as I had gone through the motions (consultations etc) at age 22, then 26, and then finally just sucked it up and got braces at age 32. it's not that bad, and as others have said, most people really do not notice braces. I'm now about 13 months into an 18 month stint, and it's flown by. My only regret at this point is not getting them done at 22.

C

[SunshineRay]

I agree with the others. Im only 4 weeks in and still avoid people because Im not used to the braces but I look at it as people can always look at your 'bad' teeth or they can look at your braced teeth for 12-18mos. (my est time) Thats whats getting me through this.

[Hanka01]

I agree with everyone else. The fear and anxiety of thinking about it is worse than the actual braces. Just do it and you will be glad you did.

[djspeece]

I agree with everyone else. The fear and anxiety of thinking about it is worse than the actual braces. Just do it and you will be glad you did.

Agree with this. Most people could care less. And you're young enough where it could be considered an extension of adolescence. I've tried that at my age (62) but it is a no-go .

Be bold!

[AdultGettingBraces]

I'm 27, just do it! You will soon realise that people don't really care at all. I've had no negativity. I think I've even gained some confidence knowing I'm doing something.

[MaryLiz75]

Same story as everyone else on here....I chickened out at 24, actually in the chair to have them put on, and walked out. I wish I had done it then, but now that I have, it isn't a big deal. I mean, I don't love them, and won't want to keep them after my supposed 6-9 month treatment time, but it hasn't been as bad as I anticipated.

Good luck!

[Tqz]

If you figure out how to get over the fear, please let me know.

Your story sounds like mine.


Sad part is, someone who I work with who is older than me, just got braces, and I saw for myself that no one made fun of him. I work with a rough crowd, so I was more amazed at that. Then became jealous because he was able to do it, and here I am just still sitting here thinking about it.

[chichi]

If you figure out how to get over the fear, please let me know.

Your story sounds like mine.


Sad part is, someone who I work with who is older than me, just got braces, and I saw for myself that no one made fun of him. I work with a rough crowd, so I was more amazed at that. Then became jealous because he was able to do it, and here I am just still sitting here thinking about it.

I chickened out for 8 years. I eventually decided I needed to do it for myself and not worry about what others will say. I still worry about others seeing them and making comments, but I'm learning that other people either don't notice or they just don't care. I'll admit it takes a certain state of mind to move forward, but sometimes all you need to do is tell yourself you're doing it and you can't back out. Be a little tough on yourself and step out of your comfort zone... you'll be happy you did

[isthistaken]

I was dying to get braces since I was young but never had any encouragement or suggestions from anyone (aka dentists) so I just sadly assumed I wasn't a candidate for orthodontics. For like 50 years. Now that more adults are getting braces, I got the courage to stand up and speak up for myself and my current dentist and ortho and my family have been hugely supportive. We can give others the courage to do this by being examples. Sometimes that is all someone needs for encouragement is to know that something is possible.

I am already a happier person just having gone through with this. To really smile unreservedly for the first time in my life was an amazing feeling, and my braces aren't even close to being off yet.