Embarrassed

[Des]

Hi everyone,

I've been in braces for two weeks now. Although I've known that I need them, now that I do I'm so embarrassed that sometimes I feel like smiling even less than before !

I'm from South Africa and I've yet to see an adult in braces, I feel like the only one in this country. Most people don't understand and make comments like "I didn't even notice your teeth" etc, and that makes me wonder if I should have bothered to go through all this

Is there anyone out there that feels like this? And are there any other South Africans on this forum?

Just need a little bit of encouragement, thanks

[Arbywhopper]

At first I felt the same way, but after I started seeing movement I knew it was all worth it. I'm only a month and a couple of days into my treatment and there is so much movement!!! Just hang in there and you will see that it is all worth it.

-Arby

[CuriosityAndTheFeline]

Deleted.

[sauerkraut]

I'm from South Africa and I've yet to see an adult in braces, I feel like the only one in this country.

Well I'm not from South Africa but I can definitely identify with the second bit (no adult brace wearers where I live, either!)

I bet the people who say they didn't notice your teeth think they're being polite. I'm sure they think that's kinder than saying, "Oh goodness, yes, your teeth were terrible, what a good thing you're doing something about it at last!"

Presumably since the anomolies weren't very noticeable to others you've got braces for your health/bite rather than appearance. Either way, you're doing something to improve yourself and it's nothing to be ashamed of

It's early days yet and you've got a lot to get used to. Don't worry, before too long you and everyone else will probably hardly notice you've got braces. And think how worth it it will be in the end .

[CactusZAF]

Hi there Des,
I'm also from South Africa. I'm 33 years old and on top of that am male (in my opinion men in braces are a minority worldwide) making me even more of an oddity.
You're definitely not the only one in the country going through this, in fact I went to a function on saturday night and found that I was not the only attending adult wearing braces as the gust of honors girlfriend also has braces. Also I met a lady of 62 at my orthodontists office about a month ago. I know of at least another five people (adults) either in braces or who had them recently.
Be strong, you will get used to it and become more comfortable with the whole braces thing, it took me a good three months to adapt and I've always been a really private (even shy) person, if anything this experience has helped bring me out of my shell.
Hang in there, after the shock of it all wears off things do get better .