Brace day tomorrow....

[task]

[quote="isthistaken"][quote="jem"]Congratulations clairelouise,

I am another Brit who was also embarrassed to have a brace fitted. I too had a ceramic upper brace.I have just finished after 18 months and am really pleased. The whole process was much easier than I expected and most people did not even notice the ceramic brace and I never had any negative comments from those who did.

Your teeth may be a little sore tomorrow,so enjoy some anaesthetic at your party tonight and keep smiling!

Jem[/quote]

I'm wondering if there is a cultural component to whether one feels embarassed about having braces. I guess I just like sociology although there are no jobs in it. But back to my question, although I know there are many people in the US who feel this way as well, I wonder if it has anything to do with whether there are national health benefits. Do people look down on those who utilize this benefit, like some here roll their eyes at people using food stamps? I don't do this, and I actually had to use them for a short while to keep my children from starving, but I'm just curious as the whether having braces is thought ostentatious or something.[/quote]

I believe in the UK it's quite difficult to get braces on our NHS (health service) without some major underlying reason, it used to be easier for under 18's but they made that harder recently. I've researched this for both my partner and myself. If I see an adult wearing braces over here I tend to be impressed that they had the courage to do something.