Dos and Don'ts for Unbraced People Embracing Braced People

[rhomboid]

My first and latest lovely comments: I was several days in braces, inpromptu, I see a friend of mine and his wife, see looks at me and goes ewhoo with a sour face and makes no conversation. The latest was several days ago, I see one of wife's good friends from out of town for the first time in a couple of years, she says you look just like you did in college except for a bunch of metal in your mouth. It's ok, I can handle it.

[bbsadmin]

Would anyone like to add anything new to this thread?

[BraceFace2o1o]

I was talking to an old friend on MSN the other day and they asked me why I got braces (like they wanted a proper explanation, not just "because I have crooked teeth"). So I answered them and also told them why I went with traditional braces and not linguals and they replied with "I have nice teeth and jaws, I don't have to worry what different braces are called!". So yeah, just because you have nice teeth, you don't have to remind me that my teeth are crap!

Even my dad can be a bit blunt. The other day he told me that at 25 I was too old for braces and that they wont work as well because of that, lol. Didn't make me feel so great knowing he thinks that and that I'm paying nearly £3000 for them.

This is about the people I know off the internet - I'm sorry to say it, but for me I would prefer it if you DO keep your opinions to yourself. Maybe I'll say it to them soon.

[wiredmouth]

Don't say, "you look...well...'braceful' so to speak"

Don't ask me if I can pick up satellite radio with all my wires and coils.

Don't tell me that I look like Lisa Simpson when she got her braces.

[Plumcore]

For parents...DON'T buy your kid Oreos...T_T my mom got me some last week..she was sweet and all, and meant well..but NO! >.>

Don't gasp when you ask me how much they were and i tell you.
Don't roll your eyes when i say i need to brush my teeth.

Do be understanding if a bad mood occurs because of pain.

[lunadali]

don't tell me that getting braces as an adult is a waste of money because your teeth are likely to move back to where they were before.

[MisAligned]

Please feel free to tell me I don't look like I could possibly be 30. I like to pretend it has nothing to do with the braces...

[noveldevice]

Don't try to persuade me to do things after I've told you they're going to hurt today. I'm not going to eat a sandwich, and I can't have a bite of your food, and I don't plan on eating till I'm home and can make cream of wheat. This also goes for other stuff. I'm looking at you, guys I've dated.

Don't respond to every expression of pain with "OMG ARE YOU BETTER YET????" I am not going to be "better" until December of 2012, and you bugging the crap out of me isn't going to change that.

Don't judge what I eat. I am doing the best I can under trying circumstances where the consequences for making the wrong choice of food are serious pain and then being hungry anyway. If I put three packets of sugar in my whole-milk latte you might ask yourself what else I've eaten today. The answer is likely to be "nothing".

Don't ask me if they're real gold. I don't know, I never asked, and I don't particularly care. (And no, I don't think they are, though I suppose they might be plated.) Because now I think you're a creep who might try to roll me in an alley for my braces.

Don't tell me that you "never noticed my teeth before." I think we both know you're a liar.

But! Not everyone has the social skills of a rabid wolverine!

DO tell me you've noticed movement if you have! I love to hear that, because it means all this isn't in vain!

DO tell me how glad you were to have your own braces, and how happy you are with the results.

DO tell me that you're proud of me for taking this step.

DO tell me that you think I'm beautiful in braces (if you can do it without coming off like someone with a braces fetish, that is.)

DO ask me if you're interested. I am happy to talk about my braces!

DO take my braces into account when making dinner plans with me.

[anxiousgirl]

DONT buy a marsbar and leave it in the fridge. Atleast hide it. ;(

[trossi]

Don't make up mean nicknames behind my back. yes back in high school i had braces the first time and some "friend" enjoyed referring to me as "jaws" because of my braces.

[jensceana73]

Please do not tell me...that at my "age"...(37) I should have done something much "smarter" with my money.

Like what.....get botox....like yourself? (By the way...when I smile...at least you can tell I'm happy)

Dear God..please forgive me for being....SO HONEST.

[nifer237]

[quote]Don't tell me I didn't need braces and that you don't remember my teeth being crooked.[/quote]
OMG, I hear that all the time! Would you like to see my xrays and photos from my ortho? They are crooked and much needed.

[clangjr]

These are too funny. Looking forward to adding some of my own.

[Boira]

Oh my! I've read them all and they're sooo true!

I still haven't my trays (next month yipieeeee ), but as I've wanted braces for years and have been saving money for it, consulting orthos, making plans... there've been some epic comments already:

- Why are you doing this? You don't need it, you look better all natural (coming from a girl with fake boobs, a nose job, dyed hair, fake tan, porcelain nails and colored contacts. Yes, all in the same person)

- Are you going to pay THAT MUCH? (well... how much do you spent per year in tobacco, long drinks, clothing, shoes and many other things that I don't?)

- What for? It's such a waste, you're old, there's no point in doing anything now. (Yes, that was my father)

Not everything is negative of course. In fact, the positive and nice comments outnumber the negatives. Some friends and co-workers have shared their own experiences with braces, others have offered tips on how to clean the trays, or avoid snacking, how to deal with sore teeth... or a simply "Well done!" which is always well received.

[revontuli]

Don't tell me my facial structure has changed and that you liked it better the other way. My niece (who was lucky enough to have braces when she was a teenager) actually said this to me.

Of *course* my facial structure has changed: I have $#&*@! braces on my teeth!!!