"But your teeth are fine! Why waste money?"

[Felina Grimm]

Have any of you had people ask why you wasted money on braces if your teeth were fine and/or tried to convince you not to get them?

[MrsCharisma]

Yeah. I know people mean well but...it's annoying. I didn't wake up and decide to get braces today.

[mmkay]

I haven't had a huge problem with this...people have tended to say they didn't notice I needed braces, which is really quite different from claiming I don't need them.

"Thanks, but I take my medical advice from professionals" is my preferred answer for your quotation or indeed any other similar health related pearls of wisdom. If that doesn't do the trick the first time, just repeat it ad nauseum.

[Bracesat57]

I sort of had the same experience.

Before getting braces I asked so many close friends their honest opinion of my teeth and if I needed braces. They all answered that they never noticed they were crooked. Now, my front teeth are pretty straight (almost) they are all amazed at how good they are looking so fast.

Well, if you notice how straight they are now, how could you not notice they were crooked before???

It really comes down to how the individual feels about their own teeth.

[Felina Grimm]

My immediate family knew, but they did know that mine were crowded. My other family members questioned my decision and that they weren't that bad or that they were fine. They are moderately crowded but major problem is the back teeth, where the molars stick out and don't meet together. I've always had issues biting anything or chewing. Besides aesthetics, I had issues keeping them clean, due to crowding. It's hard to explain these things to people that don't know about braces. It's not just about straightening teeth.

[jaime]

I got this quite a bit last year when I was going for my consultations. One person was actually kind of rude about it. Now that the braces are on, people make fewer comments. I have told people about my upcoming jaw surgery and they are baffled because I "look fine." I just shrug and say, "I didn't think I needed surgery either, but I've always had problems with my jaw and never realized it."

[plugnickel69]

Before I got my braces my massage therapist, who had some minor overlapping of her incisors, talked to me about getting veneers, or possibly braces. She started the conversation by saying to me, "Your teeth are virtually perfect."

Had to laugh, as I was thinking about getting braces as I was wearing away my lower canines due to bite issues. Every canine was twisted and my second bicuspids were all tipped forward.(I didn't realize how bad until I went for my consults.) Very minor crowding on the bottom but teeth basically in line. Pretty much no one other than an ortho would have any idea that there were any problems that needed correction -- even my dentist didn't believe there were any problems until I brought it up. His first proposal was to grind down my lower canines so they wouldn't hit the upper. No thanks.

Interestingly, no one ever asked me why I got braces, nor did they ever much comment about them -- even when I got them off. No one else really cares.

Don't know what happened with my massage therapist as she moved out of the area shortly after our conversation.

[nickd503]

When I first showed my mom my braces the other day her first words were "but your crooked teeth gave you character!"

Some people don't seem to understand the insecurities that come along with having a jacked smile!!

[Uglybetty1]

[quote="nickd503"]When I first showed my mom my braces the other day her first words were "but your crooked teeth gave you character!"

Some people don't seem to understand the insecurities that come along with having a jacked smile!![/quote]

I know that feeling, my mum said I don't need braces, my gaps are cute! No no no, gaps are NOT cute on a 26 year old! A few people said they never thought there was anything wrong with my teeth, but most people are really supportive because I have such visually big gaps.

[jaime]

When I first showed my mom my braces the other day her first words were "but your crooked teeth gave you character!"

Some people don't seem to understand the insecurities that come along with having a jacked smile!!

I actually liked a little bit of tooth crookedness on people before I got braces. Now I can't stand the sight of even a little bit of crookedness on other people, I think it looks awful. Funny how things can change so much.

[djspeece]

I haven't heard any of those sorts of comments, partially because my friends and coworkers know I have a low tolerance for stupid. I think parents may make those kind of comments because they sense that what they "gave" you should be good enough, or that your decision to get braces indicates that you are unhappy with them as parents. Or something. They love you and want the best for you (as you know!)

[Felina Grimm]

My parents were supportive and actually suggested them to me. My parents and siblings all have nice teeth and I wasn't so lucky.

[Azul]

Have any of you had people ask why you wasted money on braces if your teeth were fine and/or tried to convince you not to get them?

Thats the reason for me not telling anyone that I was going to get braces, I dont like to hear other peoples opinion about it.....

[Felina Grimm]

"Thats the reason for me not telling anyone that I was going to get braces, I dont like to hear other peoples opinion about it....."

I didn't tell anyone either. They just happened to notice because they're all metal. I don't care if people can see them. It's the comments that can get annoying. They don't understand how much easier it is for me to brush and floss even with the braces on, now that my teeth are aligning.

[Bracesat57]

I didn't tell anyone either until after they were on. I did not want any negative comments or someone trying to talk me out of a decision that took several years to make.