Poll: At What Age Did You Get Your Braces?

[SmilinginCO]

I'm 37 and just had my braces put in 4 days ago! I am so happy with my decision! I have not had to much pain, mostly eating is hard and the brackets rubbing the inside of my mouth. I am using a LOT of wax! I actually don't think I look too bad with them and I am getting more comfortable everyday. I am going to smile proudly that I am doing something to improve myself!

My parents couldn't afford braces for me when I was 12. As an adult, the timing, money, and my self esteem weren't really ready until now. And now I'm so exited to see my teeth start to straighten!

[WiredJon]

37.
Back when I was 15 I was taken to an orthodontist, who told me that in order to get my teeth straightened I'd need to have my jaw broken and that was about all the information I received. Of course I said "no way" and pretty much refused to go to the dentist again after that, developing quite a phobia in the process.

I finally built up enough courage to visit a dentist about 2 and a half years ago (it took about two years to be able to do this) and set about getting a load of very long overdue work done. Then about a year ago I figured that as I'd made it so far, I may as well go all the way and see about getting braces too, so my dentist referred me to an orthodontist and a couple of weeks back I got braces fitted (I hadn't actually expected to have it done on that day - I thought my appointment was to discuss the results of a visit to a jaw surgeon!). Anyway, now I'm waiting to find out whether my health insurance will cover the jaw surgery (my upper jaw needs widening).

So far it's not been too big a deal. It was uncomfortable for the first few days, but except for when I eat, I mostly forget about the braces (fully wired, both top and bottom). My biggest problem so far is that the wires have come out of the back bracket a couple of times and end up poking into my cheek :-(

I wish I'd been better informed back when I was a teen and had it done then. I think that may go down as one of my great regrets in life.

[Braced engineer]

I'm 21 and I'll be getting my braces on Friday! Wish I would have done it earlier, but at least they should be off by the time I graduate college.

[katsface]

Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will have mine on at the ripe ol' age of 28. I kind of want to get this over with by the time I'm 30 and have an amazing amount of respect for anyone who decides to do this at any age!

[Ellabelle]

I'm 25 and have 3 consultations lined up in the next two weeks, the first of which is tomorrow. So hopefully, I will get braced at 25! I am extremely excited as this is something I've wanted since I was a pre-teen.

[MissMiataaa]

I'm 19 now, 20 tomorrow! Got my braces about a week ago. Ive wanted braces since middle school so I'm extremely happy to have them now. I have several gaps between each of my teeth (except the molars) and my top and bottom teeth flare out. My assumed time for my braces is about 20 months. They should be coming off by July. Just got over the pain, but I love my braces so far

[Finallybraced27]

27. Just had mine put on yesterday. Lots of sensitivity so far but little pain. Have so far not even needed to use any wax, fingers crossed I continue not to need it.

[Big Tex]

I'll have 1 day as a 40 year old without braces. I got them at age 39, had them on when I turned 40, and one day before I turn 41, I am scheduled to have them taken off (knock on wood, don't want to jinx it).

[kiwibug]

Just turned 20, and got them on yesterday! At 18 I was hesitant about being "too old" to get braces. But as I "matured" I figured what the heck, better sooner than later. Nice teeth and a great smile would definitely help me as I'm pursuing a career in marketing and PR. I was quite excited to finally get them on, and the motivation of having an amazing smile/teeth in 2 years is just great!

I am not mentally prepared for the pain and irritation though. It's been 2 days and I already feel like my head is going to explode.

Anyone also having to get corrective jaw surgery as part of their orthodontic treatment as well?

Yep, I'm in for surgery too. Getting braces put on first week of January and getting more nervous by the day. At first only the surgery worried me, now I'm having second thoughts on the whole idea of starting treatment.

[30withbraces]

30 and now I wish I had them on at 26 like originally planned.

I'm a little surprised to see how many people got braces put on from 30yrs+, it's actually very encouraging!

[ShopGirlBraced]

I am 31, and will be getting my braces on in one week tomorrow :) This site has been amazing for my confidence levels as I can see how many 30+ are getting them ....

[Raleigh]

I'm 26 and just got my braces yesterday! My mouth feels a bit sore but it's nothing I cannot handle. I'm quite nervous and worried to be honest since my job involves a lot of face time with other employees. I signed up here to get some moral support :)

[chimi]

I just got them this week. And Im 24 years old. I've been thinking about them since my 22s, and since a guy told me"

"you're beatiful... until you open your mouth"

Hahahah... So I seriously considered and went to an ortho. Time stemated to be 8 months...

Lets see...

But folks, there's never a good time to do it, just get it over with NOW!!! You will allways ask yourself "Why didnt I do it earlier, it would have been done already"...

[chimi]

[quote="ShopGirlBraced"]I am 31, and will be getting my braces on in one week tomorrow :) This site has been amazing for my confidence levels as I can see how many 30+ are getting them ....[/quote]

I came for the same reason... it's not easy to face people with braces on!!!... They automatically look at your mouth and you don't know what they're thinking, and ofcourse you assume the worst :(...

[Tobilei]

I'm 34. I was never in a financial position to be able to do anything before. With a bit of stretching it was do-able now and my orthodontist said if I left it much more than a year it would be too late to close the gaps properly that needed closing so on they went.