stickyrice

Since the beginning of high school, I've been pretty self conscious about a lot of things about myself. I always used to be a little paranoid about my looks until recently but I still do have something I think about constantly.

I'm 22 now and the one thing that still stands out in the back of my mind is my teeth. My girlfriend says I have a nice smile and she has a phenomenally beautiful set of teeth (along with many other excellent features ) I don't have really bad teeth but I'm really self conscious when it comes to it. Everything from talking to someone from getting my picture taken makes me feel uncomfortable. I've been seriously thinking about getting a set of braces (just a phone call away literally) to help straighten them out and I guess help me feel better about it.

I feel bad because when I get my picture taken, usually I won't smile or will have the closed mouth smirk going. If the picture is up close, then I for sure won't smile. I'm getting professional pictures taken this weekend with my gf and I know I want them to look good but always seeing my teeth staring back at me in the picture is something that always bothers me.

I guess I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion is on this topic. Anyone share this feeling at all or have any advice? Thanks for reading.

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

evilbeefchan

Well, I think the easiest way to look at it is "Will your life be better if you get it done?" Is it worth spending the $$, or will you be just as happy without them? Most of my friends have all said it was worth it, but then again they weren't the ones paying for it.
You should definetly get the opinions of all your close relatives and friends, since they will be seeing you the most. But the only person that can truly decide is the person looking back at you in the mirror.
But it sounds like you already made up your mind. =)

I went throught the procedure to correct an underbite, and I have noticed that I smile a lot more. The hardest part about it was trying to stay away from eating Jolly Ranchers, BBQ Ribs, and anything else that could break them. But flossing was a total b*tch!

stickyrice

how long did you have your braces for? they said I would have to have mine for 2 years at least.

no bbq ribs? dammit!

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

bermuDa

if you feel uncomfortable about your smile then that's more important than what other people think. There are some decent, unobtrusive looking braces out there. If you've got dental coverage, see what your options are. I've never had them but I hear they can be painful (especially at first), and I think 2 years is average.

__________________
I am the very model of a moderator gentleman.

skysooner

2 years is pretty normal. I went through 3 years of orthodontics. I still feel it was completely worth it. I wasn't paying for it though.

Candide

I wore braces, and yes, changing the foods you can eat is an issue. If your bite is misaligned it can lead to serious (read life-shortening) medical complications.

There are darn-near invisible braces out there, and I read recently that in some cities, braces are seen as a status symbol - by wearing braces, you are demonstrating you are wealthy enough to pay for dental care. Odd, that.

Be picky about your orthodontist - find one who is patient, explains things to you, and you are comfortable with.

Good luck.

denim

What does your dentist say about your teeth? When was the last time you saw your dentist? You do have a dentist, right? And you're seeing this person every six months, right? And brushing and flossing your teeth? Those are the first things to do, rather than worry about it and do nothing.

water_boy1999

I had braces for 7 years people. Yup, 7 of them. I have a great smile now, but I looked like a young Dracula back in the day. I would rarely smile and never liked being in front of the camera, even as a young kid. I am not self conscious now, but I do remember thwe trauma I went through as a kid. I would definitely invest in the braces. You will only thank yourself in the future.

__________________
Doh!!!!


-Homer Simpson

stickyrice

nah I like to go months on end without brushing or flossing while avoiding the dentist at all costs.

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

ratbastid

I had braces when I was in high school, but only on my top teeth. My top teeth are still just about perfect, but my bottom teeth have developed a little bit of what dentists call "occlusion"--my very front bottom teeth don't line up exactly right.

Braces were a major pain in the ass. Not only are there foods you are forbidden from eating, but there are other foods that are damn HARD to eat. My mom took me from the orthodontist straight to Blimpy's Subs. You try eating a sub when you've just had slabs of metal wrapped around each tooth! I was picking sub out of my braces for hours.

World's King

I got really screwy teeth.


That's why in all the pics I've put up I've never been smiling. They aren't that bad but I don't like 'em so no one else will ever ever get to seem them.

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

bonehed1

I had the same issue sticky but I thought about it and I would rather pay the money for braces (had for 2 years) and have great teeth later on then always having that feeling that my teeth make me look bad.

__________________
Stuff is Good

Rodney

My parents paid for braces when I was a kid because I had a monstrous overbite and probably the misalignment would cause my teeth to stick out later. So I had it done and had perfect teeth -- for about 3 years, when my wisdom teeth came in. Rather than have them pulled, I went with a dentist who told me there was room for them -- just. And there was, but my lower incisors were then out of line again; a couple were double-parked. But the orthodontist told me that my teeth were entirely functional and there was no actual need for more orthodonty. So I was fine with that. I don't have a perfect smile, but I'm pretty sure it didn't make a difference to anybody.

I'd be curious as to why you're self-consicous about your teeth in particular. Did anyone ever tease you about them? Is that the real issue? Think a lot about it before you spend $$$$$.

orange monkeyee

I had an undergrowth of my lower jaw, and I had this stupid prototype device called a Herbst Appliance installed ( this was back in.... 1995) . The thing sucked balls, it shoved my jaw forward, It made me drool, it hurt, fixed my goofey teeth problem though. It also looked wierd as hell, everyone was like " Hey dude, you some cool shocks in your mouth." Oh, and if they get stuck, your mouth gets stuck wide open until you figure out how to get them to not stick anymore.

amonkie

I had braces for three years to correct a missing tooth issue and get space for an implant, and I've noticed that I smile a LOT more with my teeth than I ever did before or during braces. I feel happier that my teeth are representing me well.

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

isis

I've thought about getting those invisalign braces for my teeth, too. I think they're only made for correcting small problems like spaces between your teeth, but I'm sure your dentist could recommend the best thing for you.

And, if it makes you feel better about yourself, why not go for it? You may be a metal-mouth for a few months, but the reward of having beautiful teeth will keep you smiling for years down the road.

RemyLebeau97

I would look into the braces no doubt. If your really that unhappy with your smile you might as well go ahead and get them while your young. They make a clear set of braces thats pretty much invisible if you don't want all the metal showing. I'd just set up an appointment wit your dentist and see what all they have to offer you. Most dentist offices have a finance plan and you can pay like 30-60 bucks a month, thats what I did because I didn't have dental insurance and I paid for them myself. Good Luck. Let us know how it works out.

Corneo

Damn I consider myself lucky because my teeth always came out straight.

diddagirl

Teeth are so important, and such a critical part of a persons appearance. I know that for me personally...... teeth are one of the first things I notice, and to me- a persons teeth either make or break them. Now to clarify, a person does not have to have perfectly straight white teeth, but they cannot be overly crooked with teeth protruding from the gums in places they shouldnt be, yellow teeth are also a no no- but the most important thing is for people to TAKE CARE OF THEIR TEETH!!! Rotting, decayed teeth are absoulty repulsive

__________________
"Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have lived long in the spring, to have loved, to have thought, to have done."
-Matthew Arnold

bish

I had a space between my 2 top front teeth and had perfect bottom teeth. Dentists always told me that braces would fix the problem, but my teeth were fine and I didn't "need" to get it fixed. I lived with it for 25 years and hated to smile in any pictures or if I met anyone. I decided to bite the bullet and get veneers put on and right after that I felt like a new person.

I have a son now who has a small space in his teeth and he will have no choice but to get braces when he is old enough. I do not want him to grow up feeling the same way I did.

denim

Then I guess you don't really care that much. Shall I get out my itty bitty violin, or is that too much trouble?

asterjolly

ugh. braces were quite painful (i only hadthem on the top teeth and i hear they are worse on the bottom.) every time you get them tightened (every 3 weeks or so) your teeth are sore for a day or two, and after you get them on or off or have major corrections or changes they are sore for longer and you are forced to depend on smoothies for your meals.

i wouldnt ever get braces again and i wouldnt have to begin with except the reason i got them was for a tooth that was coming in on top of my front teeth and could have caused major problems (like missing permanent teeth) if it wasnt corrected.

ick.

InTeGrA77

I wouldn't worry about it. I mean, hey, if your girl says that you've got a nice smile, then what have you got to worry about??

I suppose that you could consider getting braces, but thats up to you. Ask her about it too, and see what her opinion is on the idea. The amount of time that they're on can vary greatly. I knew someone who had them on for QUITE a few years! But you could get lucky...you never know.

__________________
28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds...

stickyrice

um... yeah.... you go ahead and do that.

As for everyone else thanks for your input. I've mapped out a monthly plan and by everyone's replies, it seems like the outcome is worth the agony. Thanks to everyone that took the time to give a thoughtful response.

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

denim

If you're not willing to take care of the basics, throwing money at the problem won't help you.

stickyrice

Thanks Confucious

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

denim

That was a straight-forward statement, guy.

gabshu

I had braces for 5 years. Long story short, the roots of my front teeth got reabsorbed and now my teeth look worse than what I started out with and they move and could fall out if I hit them slightly hard.
Very traumatic, I recomend you shop around for dentists before geting it done. Good Luck.

__________________
Go Kool Aid. OH YEAAHH

http://www.retrocrush.com/archive2003/koolaid/

Prince

I think his original response in which he said he avoids the dentist at all costs was sarcasm. That's how I interpreted it, anyway.

In the country I am from, kids hardly ever had braces. The health care and dental care in the country is generally top of the line and among the best in Europe (or so I have read), but braces were not something that were emphasized, for most kids anyway. Now my wife on the other hand, born and raised in America, has informed me that I should have had braces, as some of my teeth don't point straight up, in other words I do not have the Hollywood Smile. Her smile cost her dad a good six to ten grand, but you can tell, she has an awesome smile.

I'm not self-conscious about my smile, though, and I think that is what matters. I believe that the health effects of the overbite issues etc are at least somewhat exaggerated. I don't really think that your life is in danger if your teeth look like those of young David Bowie.

But if this bothers you, and you can afford it, go for the braces. I'd take your girlfriend's word, though, when she says you have a nice smile.

__________________
Who is John Galt?

stickyrice

oh yeah my girlfriend says I have nice smile and no one has ever said anything about my teeth or nothing like that.

they're in good shape and I've been taking care of them but braces are an option to go with right now to straighten them more.

ouch! what exactly happened though? Thanks for the heads up.

__________________
Can't think of anything to say....

floydthebarber

My sister had braces and now she has a great set of teeth. She said it was hell for few days after each tighting, but over all it was no big deal.
I was fotunate enough that my teeth came in straight so I didn't have to worry about it.

__________________
wish you were here

wipeout

good teeth are good to have--but bad teeth are bad

__________________
My memories are of fun and friendship,
Of weakness within the strength of youth...