How have braces made a difference to your life?

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#31 Post by **Nevertoolate** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:13 pm

I am 52 years old, and with braces, I no longer tell myself to cover my mouth when I laugh, or to smile a certain way so my teeth don't look so bad, and on and on...My whole life I have done this. I feel better about the way I look with my braces ON, I can only imagine how I will feel once they are off, and I get my teeth whitened. WOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!

#32 Post by **MissAshley** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:46 pm

They have made a huge difference...the increase in my self esteem is astounding

I love being able to smile& not worry about how people see my teeth from the side& how they can just see -me- & not crooked teeth.

#33 Post by **jzaboo** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:53 pm

I think everyone is reading way to much into the original post as well. Lighten up, already, flower children!

I believe that anyone who has their smile improved will simply smile more. The more you smile, the happier you become (weird but true), and it give you a better general outlook. My teeth aren't too bad (slight twisting of bottom two), and I never purposely tried to hide my teeth or anything before. Now that I have my braces on, I smile more, maybe because I'm more conscience of my teeth. By doing so, people react to me more positively, and that makes me feel good. I would assume when these get off in 16 months, that will be even more true. So did I get these to look better? Damn right I did! Did I think I was pretty good to begin with? Ego bigger than Texas! Did I expect it to change my life? Never thought about it. Has it already? Yeah, somewhat. So to increase one's "self confidence" or whatever you wish to call it doesn't mean you didn't have any to begin with. I don't think true_jaat was fishing for responses only from people with "self esteem issues".
I'd like to applaud all of you that are totally content and beautiful with a nice balanced chi. Have another bong hit, jump onto your rainbow, and peace out, man!

#34 Post by **jzaboo** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:13 pm

Did anyone ever suggest that a clinically depressed person would feel better by getting braces? No, no one did. You guys are just too much. I've heard nothing as fake as the self rightous drivel I've read on this post.

Gosh, gotta go, must jump off a curb now because I'm not as blissfully well-adjusted as the some of the loonies here.

Or maybe I'll just get a tatoo. I'm doing plenty of laughing.

#35 Post by **SueFromNJ** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:00 pm

Not sure if I entirely caught what was going on here

but ...

I just got my braces off, and honestly, yes! My self esteem and confidence are much, much greater. Nothing has magically improved in my life (like finding Mr. Right or getting promoted at a job) but that's OK - but I do feel that having a normal smile will make things more possible now! I really do believe that humans are somehow "pre-programmed" to respond positively to an attractive smile and negatively to a crooked one, and I am thrilled to finally have the asset of a nice smile to show the world.

I woudn't have ever called myself clinically depressed, but I wasn't too happy with my life and my poor appearance. Now that I got my teeth fixed and see the end result, well yes - I am much happier! In my case, fixing a physical problem really did make me feel far better!

#36 Post by **true_jaat** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:42 am

Some people on this forum continuously 'hijack' this post to prove a point about something. I agree with jzaboo when he says -

Have another bong hit, jump onto your rainbow, and peace out, man!

The discussion has just gone haywire - let me just requote my original post:

Generally how has your social/personal life changed?

All views about how braces have made a difference to ur life are welcome. (all other views about how to cure depression are not welcome)

#37 Post by **jcdamon3** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:36 pm

Have another bong hit, jump onto your rainbow, and peace out, man!

I think this is kind of funny! I don't do drugs. I think it is kind of funny! Take if for the manner in which it was intended. It means "Chill out dude!!"

Maybe you have to be from California coast to get it.

#38 Post by **jcdamon3** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:37 am

Smiling does make you happier!

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/200 ... smile.html

I am not saying it will bring you out of clinical depression...

Sorry about saying the "Peace Out" comment was funny - I guess the original post was deleted so I took it out of context.

I think what we need to realize here folks is that 90% of the people on this board are doing braces for cosmetic reasons (not me actually) and expect AT LEAST to feel less self conscious about their smiles. When you tell them that ALL their self worth should come from within it is just a little unrealisitc. I mean when I reach the highest level on the maslows hierarchy of needs you will be the first to know, I guess, since you are there already! So while the rest of us are still groveling our way up - give us a little break okay! And be careful what you say because you really are putting folks down.

ie:

who are being willfully ignorant

#39 Post by **jcdamon3** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:47 am

Here is another one:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Smile---6-Top ... n&id=92570

I happen to be quite happy but still want to look my best. And I try to encourage others to do their best to look good. I try to dress in style, wear makeup, get my hair done. And I do *feel* better when I look better and I want to smile more when I know I look good.

If you can be extremely happy while wearing duct tape to keep your socks up - more power to you.

#40 Post by **jcdamon3** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:04 pm

that every single word of a reply is aimed at the poster of the most recent entry to the thread

Exactly.

I wasn't aiming anything at you directly. This is not about you Maryaten.

What bugs me is folks though with a holier than thou attitude that they know that happiness comes from within and the rest of us just don't get it. We have had this discussion over and over again on this board and we get pissed off at each other every time.

This board is about self improvement for most of us! Let us have that, okay? The fact that I am not in braces for cosmetic purposes is mute because if my teeth were really crooked I would have wanted braces for cosmetic purposes. And I *do* think it can boost your confidence. I think if you have confidence other things in your life CAN change! In fact I think lots of things in your life can change.

So let's just agree to disagree. Okay? And just remember, there are alot of people who have been teased about their teeth and they aren't going to just "get over it" cuz you said they should. It simply isn't that easy.

#41 Post by **CLAmom** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:37 pm

Amen, jc. I like how you just put it.

#42 Post by **jcdamon3** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:37 pm

Again, my post was not entirely aimed at you Maryaten.

All I am saying is coming on this board and saying (and this is not a quote) "oh I would never make the mistake of having my confidence be about my looks" is kind of like going on a board for people to quit smoking and saying "oh, I would never smoke". "I am just on this board because I like the smell of cigarettes."

I am exaggerating here but I think you get my point.

It would be fine if you *did* just say "Please be careful not to think that fixing your teeth is going to change your life".

Again I am saying "you" but I am talking in general.

#43 Post by **sjsarre** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:04 am

Obviously I am still in braces and a relative newbie. Initially my quest for braces was cosmetic. But then realising after consultation that it was also required if I didn't want to lose my teeth in later life and end up with lots of fillings etc.

Back to the cosmetic side. Call me shallow, but my brace journey was PURELY cosmetic. Having lacked self esteem from being called bugs bunny to fish face and rubber lips (not so bad words but when you are a teenage girl they do hurt!)when I was at school, I learnt and perfected the art of smiling without showing my teeth. This led me to being called other names but that was OK!! Why such the long face springs to mind!!!

Another issue I had was that i'm a very social creature.. Love to go out and party. Unfortunately once you've had a drink of two you lose your inhibitions and I would often be seen smiling grinning etc. Photo's taken of birthday parties family events with my hideous teeth poking out ended up with me retracting into my shell and running away everytime a camera came by. Hence a rather thin family album...

I became so self consious that I learnt without realising to turn my head away when laughing. To look at the floor. To cover my mouth. OR to look like a complete grump. In the end it was the grumpy moody look that I perfected!

Now with my new hardware in my mouth I have finally found the confidence to smile without covering my mouth (even though the brace looks a bit hideous with springs etc at the moment) people can see i'm having treatment and even if it was only ever me that noticed the issues I don't care anymore. I'm sorting it out.

I DO think and even now I know that fixing my teeth for cosmetic reasons has and is changing my life.....

Adding to this thread and slightly off topic.. I would most definately consider plastic surgery. In fact get me the brochure!

I'm not proud LOL..

#44 Post by **SUGARANGEL** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:06 am

I AGREE with Jcdamon3, KK, and Sjsarre....

You have to understand that many many people wants their teeth fixed is to improve their teeth to make them feel more happier and more comfortable. Reason why I went see my orthodontist is to fix my 4mm overjet/ 70 percents deepbite where people can notice my teeth are off the alignment (that is overjet) when I smile. Few crooked also. I want to have my teeth fixed is to make me feel more self-confidence. This board message is not about depression. It is ABOUT people with braces and how to feel about it with each others. You really are putting folks down.

#45 Post by **SUGARANGEL** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:26 am

This is for Meryaten right above I posted recently.

Metal Mouth Message Board

How have braces made a difference to your life?

No more little voices...

My life has improved!