How to tell people

Message

#1 Post by **kvs2800** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:55 pm

I searched but didn't find an exact posting on this so here goes.

I've gone about the process of getting braces fairly alone. Initially I had told my mom and 2 friends that I was considering going for a consultation and then later that I had committed to them and would have my uppers braced on January 15. Since then I've naturally encountered a whole host of people and an equal amount of reactions.

I recently went to a party and several of my good friends saw my braces and rather than speak to me about them privately they've talked to others and say, "I can tell she didn't want us to see so I didn't say anything." Sounds a little jr. high but some people are still stuck in that mindset. I got ceramics on top (self-litigating so they're a bit more metal than I realized) but moreso because I didn't want my braces to be a distraction to my daily life, not to hide them. The way my braces were applied seems really low on my teeth and my upper lip seems to naturally rest on them but it's not a concious move. I think a few of them are hurt that I didn't consult this with them prior to my brace date.

I don't regret my decision to get braced and am very excited to see the results but it makes things a little awkward socially. I'm just not comfortable walking into a room full of people saying, "look at my $4k investment." But even on a one-on-one level people still seem to act different (maybe it's in my head) but don't mention it. I try to work it into conversation with people I know I'll see on a regular basis just to get it out in the air.

Long story short, how did everyone go about telling people?

#2 Post by **Rachael27** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:59 pm

i haven't really told to many people. i figured they would figure it out when they see me after feb. 3rd. a few know most don't. i'm already having doubts so i don't really want to say anything to to many people because i don't want them to change my mind. i worry how people at the dentist office i work at will react. course it may me less of a reaction there. but i'm curious to see how people will react. good luck with your journay.
Rachael

#3 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:37 am

I told three people, two girlfriends and a co-worker. It's nobodys business and you are doing this for you! I definitely got alot of...why did you do this since your teeth are already straight. My kids were shocked, but think they're cool. I work in sales and I definitely got reactions from customers, but all positive. More people were shocked that I was a second timer as well.

Don't let anyones comments influence you to change your mind. Honestly hardly anyone notices my braces anymore unless I meet another adult who wore them and will ask me how much longer I'll be wearing them or if they're interested in treatment.

B

#4 Post by **changes09** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:28 am

I told everyone and thier mom that I was getting braces. I was just so excited I couldn't contain myself. I did not care what anyone else thought. Plus it wasnt the braces that people where shocked about most. it was the surgery. But still I do not care.

#5 Post by **acd** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:43 am

My wife, her parents and sister and a few of my wife's friends (one of them had braces at the time) were the only people who knew I was getting braces. I didn't even tell my parents--they found out when they came to visit and I picked them up at the airport 8 months after getting them--and they didn't even notice until we were half way home.

#6 Post by **kvs2800** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:29 pm

Update time.

I emailed two of the "friends" that I know were gossiping about my braces just to clear the air and let them know that yes, I got braced and why (because I wanted to!) ha. I always feel like the truth is the best defense to gossip. These friends live on chit-chatting with others and speculating so if I give them all the facts up front, they'll just have to find a new topic of discussion.

At work it's been a fairly smooth transition. The one person I had told said they're much more discrete than she imagined they'd be and others have enjoyed comparing the similarities and differences from my treatment to their own or their childrens'.

Perhaps the best reaction has come from my best friend (no surprise there) who has told me numerous times just how proud of me she is 1.) for going ahead with something that will ultimately make me much happier and healthier and 2.) she's amazed that at 23 I'm responsible enough to take on the financial cost of braces all on my own (minus insurance).

Thanks for your ideas and input! I just wish I would have thought to ask before I got them on. This forum is a life-saver.

#7 Post by **Tommm** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:37 am

Yep be proud of what you've accomplished! It's great that you have so much support from your loved ones. We have your back here too. Keep smiling!

ps. I was shocked to hear that your clear self-ligating braces cost you 4k. I paid 6.5 for mine. Hope I didn't get ripped off lol...

#8 Post by **kvs2800** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:59 am

I hear the price varies GREATLY depending on where you live. I live in Ohio so our prices are probably a little cheaper than either of the coasts or large metro areas. All total it was $5900 but my insurance luckily covers $2k.

#9 Post by **Tommm** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:40 pm

Ah cool. I thought the 4k was the price before insurance. I can live with the $600 differential since everything is a little bit more expensive here in LA...

#10 Post by **ClareBear** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:10 pm

I told a couple of people at work that I was getting braces the next day. Of course, I told my family and a couple of friends. All were very supportive and happy for me. The reaction of people who did not know I was getting them and see them for the first time has been positive. Others probably don't notice, or do notice and don't say anything. One person I work with asked me yesterday if I have always had braces, or if I just got them! Now that I have them, I really don't care what people think.

#11 Post by **Ellie2009** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:26 am

That's what I can't decide. If I should pre-warn ppl to avoid the inevitable "Oh u got braces" or am I over thinking things?

So far my family and 2 colleagues know.. They're all very supportive and say "Go ahead - glad your getting them for the right reasons" etc.

Just today I joked if we could have have a Braces theme party when I get them on

#12 Post by ***tap*** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:03 am

be happy ... thats the first and upmost important, there just braces wats the worst people are gna think "look he/shes got braces" dont worry about it your getting your teeth straightened think what there gna think then wow shes got lovely straight teeth. gota be worth it right!
my first day at work was a little like omg is everyone looking but after a few days i relaxed and it really was in my head!

#13 Post by **sdawdy** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:12 pm

i have been brace for over 2 years now and i just had someone at work come up to me and say oh you got braces...when did you do that....and i told them 2 years ago, and their jaw dropped to the floor....basically, most people either dont notice them or will not say anything about it....

It has become a contest at my office on what color ligs I will come in with...I figured if i have them i must make them fun!!!!

#14 Post by **Airchie** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:07 am

At the moment only my wife knows I'm definitely getting them but a friend knows I've been considering it - she had braces 5yrs ago and I've been chatting through the pros/cons with her.

I'll probably jpre-warn one or two close friends and family and then let everyone else discover them when they're on

I just look on it as being something I've wanted to do for years and I'm happy to have finally done something about it.

Now I'm just looking forward to getting started!

#15 Post by **Jenn S** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:12 pm

I added a little blurb on my Facebook to prepare family & friends so they would understand why I was getting them. It made it a LOT easier to not have to explain my situation a hundred times!!
For work, when I run into someone who has not seen me braced I still make a big point of saying, hey have you seen my new Grills???
And they all say either
That is so cool
Good for you
You are so brave
or
My Dentist is trying to talk me into getting them.