Being picked on for having crooked teeth

[leelou905]

I'm not sure where to start but today I went out for a family get together if you like. Now my family are very blunt and will tell you how it is.

None of my family knew that I had braces put on and so today my grandmother decided to stare at my braces and tell me I looked like Dracula. (I'm missing my lateral incisors so having my canines laterlized instead)
I laughed it off and so did she, my grandparents are like that so I know they're being comedians about it.


But really deep down the reason I got braces in the first place was because when I was younger, family members would often make remarks about my teeth. Back then they were gappy crowded and everything but straight.
These comments would later go on even into my teenage years and then I was bullied for it too at school.

Really the comments about my teeth didn't even stop there because they continued into adult hood where people thought it was appropriate to say they had nice teeth and I didnt.

Okay so basically this has turned into a little vent and it's not really to get advice but to see if anyone on here decided to fix their teeth because of issues like this? Am I the only person who was bullied for the way their teeth looked?
The fact my grandma made a comment today about my braces really annoyed me, because I'm finally doing something about it and it made me regret having braces put in
I'm so glad my partner loves me for the way I am.

[TheProfessor]

I'm sorry to hear that your family is like that--I think people forget that comments like that hurt! You should be proud of yourself for getting braces!

I had lots of things to be teased about when I was growing up- thick glasses since 5 years old, too tall (I was 5'10" in 6th grade and ended up being a 6' tall woman), I was too smart and nerdy, etc. I think all the teasing made me a stronger person, but it also made me realize that making comments about things people can't change is just mean and I never do it! Fortunately, my teeth were reasonably ok when I was young so that wasn't a topic for the bullies, but someone (a good friend) made a joke about my teeth at a party about 5 years ago. It really hurt my feelings, but also helped nudge me toward finally getting my smile sorted out. The funny thing is that when she saw me for the first time with braces she said, "But your teeth weren't that bad!!!" At least there were no jokes this time....

[metalliKa]

Leelou, sorry your family's made fun of your teeth. Some do it for comedy while others are just plain insensitive. Remember that you are doing something positive for yourself and that at the end of your journey...they would no longer be cracking jokes because your teeth will be beautiful. Chin up!

And TheProfessor, all these times, I thought you were a man!

[Bracesat57]

I am so sorry that someone said something so insensitive to you about your braces. People (even grandmas) do not realize how words can hurt.

Just don't let it get to you.

Just know that you are taking a pro-active approach to fix your smile and when you are done it is going to be beautiful!

I am still nervous about having braces as an adult. When I see someone staring into my mouth I remember that I have braces on my teeth and they are trying to figure out what is going on inside of my mouth (ha ha).

Just remember that our teeth are getting better every day and we can't wait for the end result.

Good luck and keep your head held high!

[bracefaceekimmie]

That must suck. But you shouldn't let it bother you.! You know you're doing something positive for yourself. And they will have nothing to bully you with as soon as they're off.!

[leelou905]

Thank you everyone I'm feeling much more positive today and its nice to know I'm not alone with the negative comments from people.

I can't believe how horrible some people can be, I get it might be such a small insignificant thing to them, they don't realise how much of a sore subject it could be for the victim.
I will always be mindful about what I'm saying to someone else, I would never say anything hurtful to someone anyway, but I suppose you never know what is sensitive to that person.

[plasticteeth]

I'm sorry, that's a terrible thing for someone to do to you. Picking on a person, particularly for something out of their control, is the lowest of the low. You have the right idea to remain positive!

[plugnickel69]

Some people are extremely insensitive, and even if you know they're idiots, it's hard to ignore or forget their crude comments. My theory is that they're very insecure, and the only way to make themselves feel better is to downgrade or insult others.

I had ceramic braces for 19 months beginning at age 64 and am a professional working in the public. I had a minor bite issue and to the untrained eye it didn't look like I needed braces. That said, hardly anybody even asked me about my braces (less than a handful) and certainly no one made a negative comment, nor did anyone ask me why I got them. Interestingly, I never noticed anyone staring at my mouth.

You could be a smartass if you're quick-witted, but it's hardly worth lowering yourself to their level.

[phasesofbeauty]

Wow, it is a sad day when people that old haven't learned tact yet.

[Snowglobe32]

Most people do not like "something" about themselves, whether it is warranted or not, we all have issues about things we do not like, its all part of being a real person.
I think if someone doesn't like their teeth, that is probably one of the first things they notice on someone else. If you don't like your nose, you probably notice all noses first before anything else. Some people are uncomfortable with their issue so they make comments to someone else. And some people probably aren't aware that things they say, are hurtful, even if they are family. It is all about the words used and the delivery of the message, I really wish people would work on their communication skills!

In two weeks, I will have had my braces off for 2 years. Having braces was the best thing I ever did, not only for appearances, but my headaches are gone, I lost weight and it changed my confidence. So I think it is safe to say that you have spent enough of your life not being happy about you teeth, so it is time to not care what others say or think. You have braces now in order to fix the issues you had with your teeth. Once those braces are off, you will be so much happy, not only because your teeth are perfect but because you did something about it! The only thing you may regret is not doing it sooner. Most people don't do anything to fix their "issue" either because they can't afford to or maybe they are too afraid.

So, I hope you don't let the comments get to you. If someone says something to you like " you have Dracula teeth", then say, "Well, I can't wait to see what my teeth will look like when the braces are off, they are going to look amazing!" When someone throws a jab at you, just turn it into a positive and leave them dumbfounded.

And really, why anyone would say something negative about having braces is beyond me....there must be something deeper going on if you can't recognize the work in progress.

Good luck and keep smiling!

[Tyrantblade]

With me I didn't get picked on much even though ive had an off smile in more ways than one since I was like 12 or 13

Only remarks ive ever gotten were from dentists that of course were gonna say I need braces (ive never had a dentist that didnt), one remark from my grandma (she said it looked like I had been eating rocks or something along those lines); and some minor remarks from 2 of my other family members that seem to believe because there are worse smiles out there that I don't really need braces

I would still say I have significant issues with the worst being a very open bite (I also have an overbite and an open bite I didn't know I had until an orthodontic consultation)

my smile has been one thing I always wished I could improve and as its the worst its ever been since I was 12 or 13 I don't want to back off and do nothing

[leelou905]

Thank you.

Honestly, some people just like to have a laugh at someone else's expense, at least that's what my family are like. Not nice people huh?

I've gotten a lot more positive since I posted this but must admit that I cried after, I think I realised how happy I am that I'm finally fixing something that's tormented me for most of my life.

My smile won't be "perfect" I'm missing my lateral incisors, but they'll be something I will be happy and comfortable with more than I have ever been.

It's nice to hear encouraging words from everyone, I'm glad that I found this site.

Having braces has been a long time coming for me, its such a mix of happiness and sadness and the realisation of how badly my smile has depressed me since I was a child. Cannot believe it has tormented me this much and I didn't even truly realise it.

I have already started smiling in photos, even though my teeth haven't changed much yet, braces has clearly had a profound effect on my confidence already.

[lollypop]

Yep. I've been there. A few moments stick in my mind.

Going for a family dinner as a teenage and my sister asking why my tooth was like that (I had an impacted canine) then everyone sat there awkwardly as my parents never took me to the dentist as a child or teenager.

Waiting to get into a club as a student and a guy calling me ' weird tooth girl '. That one stuck with me. I felt embarrassed and ashamed.

As a child my friend saying 'your teeth are weird. They're off centre'.

As a child my friends mother asking me if my tooth is going to come down.

My auntie telling my dad I should get braces and him nodding but not listening nor intending to do anything about it.

What hurt was not being able to do anything about it as a child. I knew I wanted braces, I asked for them. They're free for children in the UK. But my parents just couldn't be bothered. Hence I was 21 when I first visited the dentist - rather red faced.

This board has helped me so much. I can take pride in knowing that I am in control now and I am paying my hard earned cash to fix something I always wanted to fix. One day I will have a smile I can be proud of.

[leelou905]

Yep. I've been there. A few moments stick in my mind.

Going for a family dinner as a teenage and my sister asking why my tooth was like that (I had an impacted canine) then everyone sat there awkwardly as my parents never took me to the dentist as a child or teenager.

Waiting to get into a club as a student and a guy calling me ' weird tooth girl '. That one stuck with me. I felt embarrassed and ashamed.

As a child my friend saying 'your teeth are weird. They're off centre'.

As a child my friends mother asking me if my tooth is going to come down.

My auntie telling my dad I should get braces and him nodding but not listening nor intending to do anything about it.

What hurt was not being able to do anything about it as a child. I knew I wanted braces, I asked for them. They're free for children in the UK. But my parents just couldn't be bothered. Hence I was 21 when I first visited the dentist - rather red faced.

This board has helped me so much. I can take pride in knowing that I am in control now and I am paying my hard earned cash to fix something I always wanted to fix. One day I will have a smile I can be proud of.

I'm from the UK too and so I know EXACTLY where you're coming from. My dad refused to take me too, and I wanted it done but I also had a phobia.

Everything you've pretty much said I've had similar remarks made at me too, family members friends and especially at school. Such a horrible age because you can really do nothing about it.

I sympathise with you.

[djspeece]

I think Plugnickle and Snowglobe pretty much nailed it. I don't know why some people try to make themselves feel better by putting others down. Sounds like it is a pattern in your family and I'm glad you are breaking that cycle of nastiness. People aren't really trying to be funny as you of course realize. They just don't know any better. Rise above them and their fears and weaknesses. Be the better person.
When I played football there was one older guy who insisted on calling me "mickey mouse" because he thought my ears stuck out (and of course I wore my hair very short back in those days). It really bugged me. I was going to try to kick his a$$ but quickly realized he would pound me into the ground so I just took it. I was a THIS IS SPAM and he was a fullback and he probably outweighed my by 50 pounds. No one else thought they stuck out but this guy had to find something wrong. I have since realized the problem was with him, and not me, and forgave him long ago. But I remember the sting.
Do what you need to do, take charge of your destiny. And best of luck to you.