I'm getting braced in 15 minutes!!!!

[MissLou]

For what it's worth I think Invasalign looks awful. I think people either have bad teeth/lisp or are to insecure to get fixed braces. Having something over your teeth I also think is unhygienic - fixed braces are permanently there but at least water and saliva is renewed.

My thoughts are maybe not on facts but when I see an adult with fixed braces I automatically think they are brave!

I do agree about Invisalign now actually - they don't look great and I was told I wouldn't get a good end result with them either (my case is too complex for aligners).

[MissLou]

Thank you all for the messages. It really helped to read them today as I'm feeling quite down and unattractive because of the braces.

I'm feeling really low as I'm about to start a new job and I'm so anxious about what people will think. When I was interviewed for the job back in May I didn't have the braces and I'm wondering whether they'll wish they haven't employed me when they see me. I'm a newly qualified psychologist and I'm already anxious as it's my first proper job and I will have a lot of face to face contact with new clients, senior psychologists etc. My boyfriend says that it's not noticeable at all when I talk and he says he forgets I have braces. But I feel that other people might notice them more than he does :/

I have to meet with my new supervisor on Monday and I'm dreading it - I don't know whether to just say "I got braces" or say nothing. I don't know her at all (we've only met once before briefly) and so it might be awkward if I say something... Aaargh, I don't even know how noticeable they are! I could be worrying over nothing but it feels like such a big deal.

[Blurple]

you are probably just anxious about the new job, and this isn't helping,

I wish I could offer some practical advice, but I've not got mine yet - I'd be tempted not to say anything, and see what (if anything) gets set.

I've not told anyone that i"m probably getting them as I'm hoping they won't be that obvious and am wanting to see if they notice. I'm not too bothered socially, its work that worries me too, as I spend all my time out onsite visiting different customers.

Hope you feel better soon, and good luck for Monday x

[MissLou]

Thanks Blurple. You are right - I am anxious about the job! Perhaps once the initial meetings with supervisors and the rest of the team are out of the way I will feel more comfortable. I am thinking I probably won't mention the braces as I think it might be awkward if I mention it. Hopefully she won't care that I have braces and of course if she asks then I will be fine talking about it. It seems a bit weird to essentially apologise for my appearance without prompting when I don't have anything to be sorry for. So perhaps I just need to work on my own confidence/self esteem.

[Blurple]

no problem, that sound like the way to go

Plus remember you are doing something that a lot of people wish they had the courage to do, and its not like you are turning up suddenly with a lot of visible tattoos (which shouldn't be discriminated either )

I hope all goes well and good luck x

[SingleJawMelb]

Thank you all for the messages. It really helped to read them today as I'm feeling quite down and unattractive because of the braces.

I'm feeling really low as I'm about to start a new job and I'm so anxious about what people will think. When I was interviewed for the job back in May I didn't have the braces and I'm wondering whether they'll wish they haven't employed me when they see me. I'm a newly qualified psychologist and I'm already anxious as it's my first proper job and I will have a lot of face to face contact with new clients, senior psychologists etc. My boyfriend says that it's not noticeable at all when I talk and he says he forgets I have braces. But I feel that other people might notice them more than he does :/

I have to meet with my new supervisor on Monday and I'm dreading it - I don't know whether to just say "I got braces" or say nothing. I don't know her at all (we've only met once before briefly) and so it might be awkward if I say something... Aaargh, I don't even know how noticeable they are! I could be worrying over nothing but it feels like such a big deal.

Why are you getting teeth - to improve your bite or to improve your smile cosmetically. Having bad teeth is a lot worse than having braces IMO.

You can light heartily bring it up that you've been braced since you've last meet and that will either lead to a "I want/I've had" braces or nothing.

[SingleJawMelb]

You have nothing to fear. You are giving a supportive role to patients, not there to look pretty.

Put yourself in the place of a patient and what skills would you implement.

[MissLou]

You have nothing to fear. You are giving a supportive role to patients, not there to look pretty.

Put yourself in the place of a patient and what skills would you implement.

I don't care about how attractive I seem to patients! Totally not my point/concern at all. I'm concerned about how professional I look or whether something about my appearance (braces) is distracting.

[MissLou]

Thank you all for the messages. It really helped to read them today as I'm feeling quite down and unattractive because of the braces.

I'm feeling really low as I'm about to start a new job and I'm so anxious about what people will think. When I was interviewed for the job back in May I didn't have the braces and I'm wondering whether they'll wish they haven't employed me when they see me. I'm a newly qualified psychologist and I'm already anxious as it's my first proper job and I will have a lot of face to face contact with new clients, senior psychologists etc. My boyfriend says that it's not noticeable at all when I talk and he says he forgets I have braces. But I feel that other people might notice them more than he does :/

I have to meet with my new supervisor on Monday and I'm dreading it - I don't know whether to just say "I got braces" or say nothing. I don't know her at all (we've only met once before briefly) and so it might be awkward if I say something... Aaargh, I don't even know how noticeable they are! I could be worrying over nothing but it feels like such a big deal.

Why are you getting teeth - to improve your bite or to improve your smile cosmetically. Having bad teeth is a lot worse than having braces IMO.

You can light heartily bring it up that you've been braced since you've last meet and that will either lead to a "I want/I've had" braces or nothing.

Thank you - I need to keep that in mind about how bad teeth are potentially more embarrassing than braces! It is totally true - I hated how my teeth looked prior to the braces and at least now I am doing something about it. Hopefully once I am used to people seeing me with them it will get easier.

[SingleJawMelb]

You have nothing to fear. You are giving a supportive role to patients, not there to look pretty.

Put yourself in the place of a patient and what skills would you implement.

I don't care about how attractive I seem to patients! Totally not my point/concern at all. I'm concerned about how professional I look or whether something about my appearance (braces) is distracting.

So really what is the issue? You have braces and it doesn't impact how you do your job. I've been seeing psychologists for years and I don't care what they look like - one guy had an eye patch. As long as you do your job to your highest ability, who really cares that you have braces.

As a psychologist you really need to practice some skills you teach your patients. Braces are really a non issue. my job involves use of my mouth and no customer has ever complained.

[MissLou]

Okay

[MissLou]

no problem, that sound like the way to go

Plus remember you are doing something that a lot of people wish they had the courage to do, and its not like you are turning up suddenly with a lot of visible tattoos (which shouldn't be discriminated either )

I hope all goes well and good luck x

Thank you! Your words have really helped x

[Blurple]

Hope everything went smoothly x

[djspeece]

I wonder if your patients will relate to you more readily now that you have braces -- recognizing an imperfection, and moving forward with a plan. It could be a very good thing for your practice. As many people have commented, very few people actually notice them and I think with time you will come to realize this for yourself. Your patients will appreciate your therapeutic approach, and I think braces may actually enhance it. I'd be curious to hear your reaction over time -- give it a few months at least. Best of luck to you!

[MissLou]

Hope everything went smoothly x

Thanks Blurple - it did! I didn't mention the braces - I realised it would be awkward if I did. She didn't stare at my teeth or anything and I didn't feel too self-conscious, although I think I covered my mouth when I laughed. I think I'm slowly adjusting to this. Now I've seen her I am feeling a bit more confident about starting work there.