Thinking about taking the leap
Moderator: bbsadmin
Thinking about taking the leap
Hi everyone - I'm a newbie to this fantastic site. I'm 31 and I'm seriously considering getting braces to close the large gap between my two front teeth. My parents stongly encouraged me to get braces as a teenager but I chose not to. A year ago I went to the dentist for the first time in over ten years and aside from being terrified of getting my wisdom teeth out, I think I was a little embarrassed of the way my teeth looked so didn't really want to show them to anyone, or even think about them. Now that I have started to confront that and have got my wisdom teeth out I am starting to think more about my teeth and realise that there's really no reason I can't get them fixed. I never smile in photos and I'm embarrassed almost every time I open my mouth, especially when meeting new people and it really gets me down. I am seriously considering asking my dentist for a referral to an orthodontist next time I go (in three weeks time!) but I'm too shy to bring up the subject with my partner and family and friends because I find it to be very personal and very difficult to talk about. Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated - I really hope I'm not alone in finding this so hard to bring up with people. This is a topic I haven't discussed with anyone since discussing it with my parents at around the age of 14, and even that was hard.
Hi AusHayley;
DO IT! Just going for a consultation costs nothing, and the orthodontist will be able to give you a sense of how long you should be in the braces. I personally went to a few orthodontists, and ended up going with the one who my dentist recommended.
Not that we're experts by any means, but if you have any questions search the boards - I've found a lot of good information here.
Good luck, and let us know what they say!
DO IT! Just going for a consultation costs nothing, and the orthodontist will be able to give you a sense of how long you should be in the braces. I personally went to a few orthodontists, and ended up going with the one who my dentist recommended.
Not that we're experts by any means, but if you have any questions search the boards - I've found a lot of good information here.
Good luck, and let us know what they say!
I second what the other posters have said. It sounds like you have some self-esteem issues concerning your teeth. Wouldn't you love to look a new person right in the eye and flash them a beautiful smile when you meet for the first time? Although I'm wearing braces now more for medical reasons than aesthetics, there are a lot of people on this board who got them for the same reasons you are contemplating making the plunge and I'd say the vast majority sound very happy that they made the decision.
You're an adult which means you don't need to get anyone's permission to do this. If you're concerned about your partner's opinion, look at it this way. Do you think that your partner would be the kind of person you want to be with if they said they wouldn't love you in braces or weren't supportive of you doing something that would make you feel good about yourself?
You're an adult which means you don't need to get anyone's permission to do this. If you're concerned about your partner's opinion, look at it this way. Do you think that your partner would be the kind of person you want to be with if they said they wouldn't love you in braces or weren't supportive of you doing something that would make you feel good about yourself?
Thanks for your replies everyone, it's all great advice. BrendaP I just wanted to add that it's not I'm concerned about my partner's opinion, I know he'll support me, I just literally find it hard to talk about, hard to get those words to come out of my mouth. I would probably just send friends an email letting them know, but it's not really something I can do with my partner, that just wouldn't feel right. Maybe I need to have a few wines to loosen the tongue!
-
Snowglobe32
- Posts: 1224
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:05 pm
My advice is to either: tell the people closest to you that you are thinking about getting braces. Maybe they know you are self-conscious about your teeth so they don't bring up the subject. I think once you talk about it, you will find you will get alot of support. As for the others, just let them find out on their own.
I told a few close friends and family ahead of time (I scheduled my brace day a whole month in advance) , my co-workers found out the day before I was getting them and everyone has been nothing but supportive.
As for your partner, why not show him this site? Just say something like, "Hey, I have been thinking about getting braces and look at this awesome website I found!" You can both look over the site, read the many threads, see before and after photos...etc. I think it will help. Plus, he is supportive and like I mentioned before, he probably already knows you have issues about your teeth so I am sure he will be thrilled. Once you get them, you will be much happier which will only bring more happiness.
I have only had my braces for about 4 months. I didn't get them earlier because I was in college, working part time and I didn't want to spend the money. But now, this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Notice I wrote "myself" because in the long run, you are doing this for you and only you. When you turn 80, you may not be in the same relationships you are in now, you may not have any friends, but hey, you will have pretty teeth! Plus, having healthy teeth can prevent possible future medical conditions. I just had my first teeth cleaning appointment and it is amazing how clean your teeth can get when everything is straight.
My teeth moved very quickly, they are as straight as can be (in less than 4 months!) and now we are working on bite issues. But like I said, this is the best thing I have done. Not only has it improved my self-esteem, I have lost about 15-20lbs, the stubborn weight that all the healthy eating and exercising I have been doing for years, was unable to get off. I have always been a happy person, always smiling but a co-woker told me I smile even more now. It really changed my outlook on life in general, for the better.
It really is something you are doing for yourself. I figured out that every month, after paying bills, buying food, clothes here and there (since I am losing weight), the only $ I really spend on myself is for my manicures and my braces! Youmight as well do something good for yourself.
I say, get a few consultations, bring your partner or friend if you want...and see what happens. You will wonder why you didn't do it sooner-I PROMISE!
I told a few close friends and family ahead of time (I scheduled my brace day a whole month in advance) , my co-workers found out the day before I was getting them and everyone has been nothing but supportive.
As for your partner, why not show him this site? Just say something like, "Hey, I have been thinking about getting braces and look at this awesome website I found!" You can both look over the site, read the many threads, see before and after photos...etc. I think it will help. Plus, he is supportive and like I mentioned before, he probably already knows you have issues about your teeth so I am sure he will be thrilled. Once you get them, you will be much happier which will only bring more happiness.
I have only had my braces for about 4 months. I didn't get them earlier because I was in college, working part time and I didn't want to spend the money. But now, this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Notice I wrote "myself" because in the long run, you are doing this for you and only you. When you turn 80, you may not be in the same relationships you are in now, you may not have any friends, but hey, you will have pretty teeth! Plus, having healthy teeth can prevent possible future medical conditions. I just had my first teeth cleaning appointment and it is amazing how clean your teeth can get when everything is straight.
My teeth moved very quickly, they are as straight as can be (in less than 4 months!) and now we are working on bite issues. But like I said, this is the best thing I have done. Not only has it improved my self-esteem, I have lost about 15-20lbs, the stubborn weight that all the healthy eating and exercising I have been doing for years, was unable to get off. I have always been a happy person, always smiling but a co-woker told me I smile even more now. It really changed my outlook on life in general, for the better.
It really is something you are doing for yourself. I figured out that every month, after paying bills, buying food, clothes here and there (since I am losing weight), the only $ I really spend on myself is for my manicures and my braces! Youmight as well do something good for yourself.
I say, get a few consultations, bring your partner or friend if you want...and see what happens. You will wonder why you didn't do it sooner-I PROMISE!
Take the plunge
I am only on day 3.
I put it off because of money, thinking braces would be a big deal.
So far everyone has been very nice, and a couple of peeps at work asked me about as it's something they wish they would do.
But I have begun now, and now there is an end to me not liking my teeth. Before it was just me not liking my teeth.
It's not as scary as it seems, I started freaking out prior to my brace appointment. It really wasn't that bad. It didn't hurt when they put them on.
Whenever I saw people with braces. I always thought good for them I wish I would do it. I always felt like that's good they are taking care of themselves, and I was jealous.
The fear of getting them was much worse than the actual braces.
My boyfriend says I look cute, so not too bad. One day they will be off:) with nice pretty teeth.
you have to start to finish:)
good luck with your decision.
I put it off because of money, thinking braces would be a big deal.
So far everyone has been very nice, and a couple of peeps at work asked me about as it's something they wish they would do.
But I have begun now, and now there is an end to me not liking my teeth. Before it was just me not liking my teeth.
It's not as scary as it seems, I started freaking out prior to my brace appointment. It really wasn't that bad. It didn't hurt when they put them on.
Whenever I saw people with braces. I always thought good for them I wish I would do it. I always felt like that's good they are taking care of themselves, and I was jealous.
The fear of getting them was much worse than the actual braces.
My boyfriend says I look cute, so not too bad. One day they will be off:) with nice pretty teeth.
you have to start to finish:)
good luck with your decision.
Thanks again everyone for your replies - I have moments where I am determined to do this, and moments where I wonder what I'm thinking and think maybe I can just keep going along the way things are. Then again, I could do something about it and in a couple of years I will have a nice smile. I definitely like that thought... I just have to get the courage to be able to talk about it more openly with people face to face.
Have been reading a lot of posts and journals on here, and that has given me a lot to think about. I get the general impression that whilst there is pain and frustration and inconvenience at times, people's experiences are very positive and that there is a lot of excitement to seeing things happen and that gives me hope. This is such a great site and I hope to post my braces story on here one day, sooner rather than later! I'm fairly sure at this stage I'm at least going to raise it with my dentist and find out some more. I'm also trying to deal with some dental fear and I hope it's not too soon to be thinking about taking this step.
Have been reading a lot of posts and journals on here, and that has given me a lot to think about. I get the general impression that whilst there is pain and frustration and inconvenience at times, people's experiences are very positive and that there is a lot of excitement to seeing things happen and that gives me hope. This is such a great site and I hope to post my braces story on here one day, sooner rather than later! I'm fairly sure at this stage I'm at least going to raise it with my dentist and find out some more. I'm also trying to deal with some dental fear and I hope it's not too soon to be thinking about taking this step.
Hi, AusHayley,
I also had a really big gap between my two front teeth and was very self-conscious of it. I put it off for a long time because I didn't want to go through the time/pain of treatment, and because I was kind of embarrassed--I'm 23 and thought, why didn't my parents make me do this when I was a teenager?! Now that I'm in treatment and my gap is gone (took less than 3 months for me!), I feel silly I didn't do it before. Definitely talk to your friends and family. They will understand, and probably be very supportive. Once it's out in the open, it doesn't feel so scary and dire. Good luck!
I also had a really big gap between my two front teeth and was very self-conscious of it. I put it off for a long time because I didn't want to go through the time/pain of treatment, and because I was kind of embarrassed--I'm 23 and thought, why didn't my parents make me do this when I was a teenager?! Now that I'm in treatment and my gap is gone (took less than 3 months for me!), I feel silly I didn't do it before. Definitely talk to your friends and family. They will understand, and probably be very supportive. Once it's out in the open, it doesn't feel so scary and dire. Good luck!