4 Tips for Getting Braces as an Adult

Getting braces can be very daunting. And, it’s even more intimidating if you are getting them as an adult. Not only are they on for a long time, you really have no way of hiding them from others.

I had a roommate in college who never wanted to show his teeth and he did anything he could to hide them. For example, every time he laughed at a joke, he would cover up the bottom half of his face. Or, every time he smiled for a picture, he would do so without opening his mouth. At first I thought it was normal, but then he told me it was because  he was self conscious of his crooked teeth.

The next summer, he decided to get braces, but I still never saw him smile. Only now it was because he thought his braces made him look like a child.

It seemed like he was always finding reasons not to smile, but I soon realized this is a common trend for adults who wear braces. Almost every adult I have encountered that wears braces is scared to show their smile.

If this sounds familiar, I have some news for you. No one cares that much, and you shouldn’t either!

If you have or are considering getting braces, here are 4 tips that can help you out:

Tip #1 – Make It Known From the Beginning

One of the biggest mistakes I think adults with braces make is that they try to hide them when meeting new people.

This doesn’t make any sense to me.

If you plan on having any sort of relationship with someone, they are going to find out about your braces sooner or later. So, it is best just to get it out of the way beforehand and avoid any awkward situations later on.

Tip #2 – Be Confident 

Don’t be shy about your braces. Don’t say how you don’t want to smile or show your teeth for a picture because you have braces on. People find this very unattractive and they will be more likely to focus on your braces. Instead, pretend your braces don’t exist and act as if your smile is perfect. People will notice your confidence.

If you normally don’t smile or show your teeth in pictures, that is fine. But, don’t let your braces stop you from smiling!

Tip #3 – Forget the Haters 

People love to criticize everything. That is not going to change any time soon.

If people make fun of you for your braces, just move on. You have better things to do anyway, so it’s not worth your time to worry about it.

Tip #4 – Remember They Won’t Be There Forever

Whatever struggles you have because of your braces, know that it will all be worth it when you see the end result.

So make sure you take care of your teeth! You spent a lot of money on your braces and you don’t want that to go to waste.

If you have any stories or tips about wearing braces, leave them in the comments!

Dental Secrets is providing this information for informational purposes only. Please consult a dentist or health advisor for questions. These materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete or up to date.