Did braces change your personality?

[scully]

I don't think braces have fundamentally changed my personality. Before braces I was pretty confidant and outgoing, and with braces I am the same way. The only thing it has changed it how people treat me, because I now look so young. I get carded even more than I did before; even for R-rated movies. I'm 23.

[Cassandra]

Hi Angel269

I can understand your worries. I have always had issues with the way I look which causes me to be shy, I sometimes don't even leave the house for fear of people judging me for the way I look. My issues are my teeth and my large nose. I have already had one rhinoplasty 12 years ago but I have been left with several deformities from that. I wish I had the internet back then, I could have researched and gone to a better surgeon instead of just going to the closest one to where I lived! So I'm looking at braces and a rhinoplasty revision as soon as I have enough money. I'm 34, I'm not married and have no children. All my friends are married with kids and this makes me feel like I have failed somewhat. Although I shouldn't be so harsh on myself, it's really more because I've not met the right person yet

Because my issues are right there - smack bang in the middle of my face - I hate meeting new people! I watch their eyes go from my nose to my teeth... back to my nose...

I'm not braced yet, but I just see it as part of the self-improvement process - if people don't like it it's tough. I know that in 2 years I'll have more confidence than ever before and 2 years is nothing. My friends say I look 24 and people usually guess my age at 24-26. I reckon braces will make me look younger and I'm excited about that I think you just need to keep focused. If you are unhappy about your weight, how about starting a new healthy eating regime the same time as getting braces? There are soft food cook books you can buy (or just blend your meals to start with) or join Weightwatchers just after you get braces.

I think it's amazing to have the courage to begin this journey of self- improvement. Imagine the new person you will be coming out the other side of this, and stay focussed on that.

[Angel269]

I'm not overly unhappy with my weight (not fully shifted since having my son 11 months ago), will just know that eating will become more of a challenge and will be an added bonus to having a nice smile.

I am having impressions done for fixed braces on Friday morning (after having Clearstep and finding out will not fully deal with my dental concerns).

Once I have them taken off and I have lost weight as part of it all, I inted to change my hair and be the new "me" as it were-like a mini Extreme Makeover. More importantly though I inted to have photos with my son and am considering my wedding photos being retaken

[margarets]

I wouldn't say my personality has changed since getting braces. Then again, I'm only 6 weeks in, and I'm 44, so I think my personality is pretty much set (for better or worse!).

However, I'm aware that some people are GREATLY influenced by physical appearance. So somebody might have a problem with my braces. But whatever, those people are stupid and I have no time for them.

To all the brace-faces: get down with your bad selves!

[xanidu2012]

Yay for us.

[OldBikerBag]

I wouldn't say my personality has changed since getting braces. Then again, I'm only 6 weeks in, and I'm 44, so I think my personality is pretty much set (for better or worse!).

However, I'm aware that some people are GREATLY influenced by physical appearance. So somebody might have a problem with my braces. But whatever, those people are stupid and I have no time for them.

To all the brace-faces: get down with your bad selves!

Eggs-act-lee.

[SlimZippy]

I'm definitely more outgoing and confident. My personality was always there, I just used to hide it because I was self-conscious of my appearance. As soon as I was braced I felt better. People say I'm always smiling now.

[OldBikerBag]

I'm not only a biker, but a trucker as well. In both cases, our standards of decorum are not quite as stringent as much of "society."

Well, this morning, in the truck stop café, I was having some French toast and scrambled eggs. I poked my finger in my mouth (behind a napkin for discretion) to dislodge a bit of egg from between my brackets and gum line. Some tourist type lady gasped and elbowed her tablemate, indicating my terrible manners. Heh....

Yeah....like I'm going to let that fly....

All I said was, "At least I'm doing something so I won't have to fish my teeth out of a glass of water every morning like you. Might consider minding your own business." Yeah, I admit it...I am the shy wallflower type..heh...

I don't understand why her face turned so red and she was in such a big hurry to leave....

[denSMSgt]

I'm not sure which comment I loved more,

"At least I'm doing something so I won't have to fish my teeth out of a glass of water every morning like you. Might consider minding your own business."

OR

"So somebody might have a problem with my braces. But whatever, those people are stupid and I have no time for them."

Good stuff y'all, stay feisty and of course SMILE!

den

[pocketlint]

I am a pretty shy person in general, wasn't much for smiling because of the condition my teeth were in...had a huge gap and they were just all jumbled in my mouth. I find I am smiling a LOT more now since the braces. I have a mouth full of metal, elastics and a bright teal powerchain that you can't miss, and I'm quite proud of it!

I have also gotten a lot of comments from people that they think I am a good 10 years younger than I am, when it used to be 5 or 6. Being 36 that is also a huge bonus in my book! Is it that braces denote youth? All the smiling? Confidence boost? Whatever it is, I like it.

[DorkieDiva]

I think having braces has made me talk to strangers more b/c I stare at teeth so much I notice just how many adults have braces or invisalign (yes, I'm looking that hard ) I used to LOVE taking pictures, now I hate it b/c I don't like all the metal. I'm happy I got my braces, but I'm tired of them. The excitement of having braces has passed. I'm ready for them to be off so that I can enjoy taking pictures again.

[Marktee]

I'm thinking of the invislign ones so hopefully there wont be much of a difference.

Just gotta keep thinking about the end game I guess if you're having a bad confidence day!

[1of7]

i've only been braced for a week and i'm already smiling in all my pictures. i have ceramics and its a nice blend.