To fix DS's teeth in spite of DP's objections ...

[UsedtobeFeckless]

Just back from the dentist with DS2 and it's crunch time, so to speak ...

DS is 13 and has an inherited wossname that means his front teeth are squwiff. DP's teeth are exactly the same. The dentist has been chuntering gently about straightening them up for ages but now all DS's milk teeth have bailed out it's time to get down to business. This means a permenant brace for 18 months or so. Trouble is, DP is dead against the idea. He says his crooked teeth are part of who he is and the same goes for DS. I think he's being a bit ridiculous - if DS has the work done now it's totally free and has a much better chance of sucess than if he waits and has it done as an adult.

DS doesn't know what he wants to do but I think it's DP's opposition that's making him hesitate ...

What would you lot suggest? I don't want to steamroller DS into a year and a half of brace-wearing if he really wants to keep his asymetric gnashers but I don't want him to be tearing his hair at 19 wishing he'd got them fixed when he had the chance!

Do it. 18 months is nothing for beautiful teeth for life!

I'm another one in the do it camp. I wore braces for years as a child because I had a cross bite that stopped my teeth coming together properly. I dread to think what problems I would now have decades later if it hadn't been corrected. I think I would have had TMJ problems and issues around uneven wear and decay. If they are offering free treatment then its not about vanity but about preventing future probems.

My ds was the same We left it to him and he kept his crooked smile and at 20 has no regrets and he looks lovely as he is.

Great news from your DP and so lovely that he just had a chat with DS.

I had train track braces top and bottom from about 13-16. I had 13 teeth removed, some baby, some adult to make room. It was a bit painful after having the wire tightened (mum used to give me some paracetamol before leaving home to give it time to work) and I'd have something easier to eat for tea that day. However the next day it was fine.

You can get little pointy toothbrushes to help clean around the wires and little bits of wax to put on any bits that rub on your cheeks. Obviously you can't eat toffees or chewing gum (apples and corn on the cob can be tricky too!). I also used bonjela to help with any sore bits too.

I also ended up with little elastic bands holding both sets of braces together too. It was a long slog but I'm so glad I had it done, my teeth are loads better and I'm really happy to smile. My DDad didn't even know I had a bottom brace on my teeth! TBF my parents were divorced so he didn't see me clean them, but just by looking at me, he didn't know.

Probably don't want to think about it at 13yo, but by 15/16, I had a boyfriend and it was fine, no embarrassing kissing incidents