The beginning-normal to be emotional?

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#16 Post by **Laura1985** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:11 am

Hi! I know you have already responded with 'thanks' twice, but I wanted to respond, too!

You are incredibly normal for being emotional!

When I first made my appointment to go to the dentist for the first time, I cried like a baby afterwards because I was so terrified of actually facing my fear! But when I finally went it felt like a huge burden was taken off my back, and I felt proud of myself for finally taking charge.

Of course when I found out about all the extractions I felt sick to my stomach again, and it has been a bit of a roller coaster. It's a morbid way to think of things- but during all the extractions and awkwardness of the whole process, I just thought to myself- people put themselves through chemo week after week- I can handle something like this!

I think the thought process leading up to braces is one of the hardest things- we mull over the thought of the process, and getting them on is a bit of a relief!

Just try to your best to keep your head high. There are plenty of times when I feel self-concious, or when I get really sick of this metal in my mouth. But you'll find that often right when you are really frustrated, a stranger will ask you about your braces experience and say they wish they could have them, too! It will be hard sometimes with your hands on job, but be proud of yourself!

This is a lot of preachy rambling- sorry about that. Overall, don't worry there are ups and downs but eventually you will stop caring as much and they just become a part of you! Good luck!!

#17 Post by **acidcookie** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:56 pm

It's totally normal to feel emotional. For a lot of us, fixing our teeth takes us back to when we were kids and got teased for our appearance. You end up working on every psychological issue from the teasing to even resentment that your parents did nothing to help you fix the problem.

I had originally fought the idea of braces because of my bite (it almost always needs to be fixed with surgery that may or may not be covered by insurance). However, I finally decided to see the orthodontist to hear THEM tell me with their professional opinion if I needed it or not. When he said I didn't and that he could mask my underbite with braces only, I almost cried in the chair.

When I told people I was considering braces, I got some interesting responses. Some were happy and some were totally disbelieving because whenever people asked me when was I going to fix my teeth in the past, I'd be full of defense mechanisms. Now however, everyone's more than positive. My boss even asks me every now and then how my mouth is feeling.

Also, I've gotten to the point I'm really proud of my brace filled smile because now it's like "hey, check me out, I'm fixing my teeth because I want to."

Congrats on finally "taking the plunge" and welcome to the club!

#18 Post by **mwic1985** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:52 am

I am 24, getting braces next week, and I am feeling very depressed / anxious about it. Having 2 teeth out on Tuesday, and then braces on Wednesday! Never had adult teeth out before... so just wanna get it over with!

#19 Post by **jjjmac** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:22 pm

Well, I can't say the braces make me *that* much more self-conscious, but I am certainly not one of those who are proud of them or want to show them off! I hid my smile without the braces, and I hide it with them. *shrug* At least there should be an end point to all of this and I won't have to hide forever! And yes, I would rather have people think "she has braces" than "she needs braces!" That was one of the main reasons I did this.

I was 30 when I had my braces on - about 9 months now, and I'll be 31 next month. It was emotional for me - mostly for the same reasons as you stated. I had pent-up resentment towards my parents about not taking me to the orthodontist when I was younger. You're going to have some of those feelings and (unlike some people on here), I think it's natural and there's nothing wrong it unless you start obsessing about it. I don't hate my parents, but that doesn't mean I can't hate something they did (or didn't do, in this case!). After you have the braces on for a while, you'll think about it all less.

I was told 2 years with braces, but they tell everyone that, and I would be surprised if it's less than 3 for me. I almost cried when they put them all on but I go to a dental school so we're all out in one huge open room and the last thing I wanted was for a bunch of teenagers to see me crying. cripes!

It is a rough road... but it does get easier. Every one here will tell you that - and you won't believe any of us at first! Just hang in there.

#20 Post by **gregpeckfan** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:18 pm

I have a mix of your feelings. I am very confident IN the braces. I'm one of those 'big goofy smile' braces people, with blue rubber bands to accentuate my silver bottom brackets. (white ceramic on top though, I'm a professional at work). I don't have the self consciousness as much. I'm 40 and I am also super excited to have straight teeth - - honestly, I can't imagine it really will be like.

At the same time, I have a lot of grief my parents did not do this for me. It became really acute for me when my daughter's permanent teeth came in. Hers were mild - one tooth turned slightly in front and a slight overbite. Mine are horribly crooked my entire life. I looked at her little face and I thought: How could my parents have a beautiful little girl, and send her out into the world with such terribly crooked teeth?

I think it's just the process of accepting their priorities, which sometimes didn't include my needs. We were also very solidly blue collar, working class. But my parents spent money on many other things (vacations, dad's car restoration hobby, camping boats & trailers, etc). Recently, I spoke with my daughter's teacher -- (beautiful smile on that woman!) and she said her dad was blue collar - he did carpet installation . He went from orthodontist, to orthodontist, until he found someone who needed carpet and worked a trade for his girl, so she would have a beautiful smile.

Anyway, I'm glad you're doing it now and I'm glad I am too. Here's to the next 30 - 40 years with gorgeous smiles!

Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:52 pm

I can't add much else to this conversation because everyone else has made great points. I will tell you, though, to think about the ups and downs you went through to become an optometrist. I'm sure there were a lot of days in which you felt overwhelmed, you wanted to burn your books, and you just got tired of the process. However, you went on an incredible journey to get to where you were. Think of this as such. Everyone's road is different, and I think the emotion you are exhibiting is proof that you really appreciate this and that you too will make that transformation. Some people are in braces for a year or less; one of my colleagues just got debanded after five years, and a classmate I talked to a while back told me she had hers in for seven years. Someone always has it worse than us!

Just think of what this is going to do for you in the long run. I hope you enjoy your journey; I'm 8 months into mine, just a few weeks of turning 27, and I show my metal off as much as I can because this $4,000 investment is one of the greatest ones I've made...and I am forever proud of it! Best wishes to you!