Adult braces on this week – am I doomed to look 15?

[ladybee28]

Two more days until my braces go on... for the next 2 years.

I'm 32.

How do I style this out?!

Any tips or advice?

Just go with it! People will notice but I found they confided about their own teeth worries and were curious about getting them themselves. I had them from 24 - 28 and the change is amazing!

Get in plenty of wax and if you have an oral b toothbrush there are orthodontic heads on amazon that are brilliant!

My boyfriend had his off last week, he had traditional train tracks and he’s 27. You didn’t really notice them a huge deal, obviously you see them, but it isn’t something that stands out hugely.

I had mine put on last August (same age as you - 32 at the time) so have had them just over a year now. I'm hoping they'll come off in the next six months but it could be 2 years total.

Mine have clear brackets which makes them a bit less noticeable than 'train track' style but the wire is still pretty obvious. As for styling it out, you just have to try to act normal and forget about it! The thing I felt was most noticeable is that you have to kind of re-learn how to speak with the braces on - some words in particular I really struggled with and found it helped to practice over and over in front of a mirror! Once people you know have seen you with braces on it just becomes part of what you look like, and nobody has ever mentioned mine unless I've said something about it first. Maybe they're being polite

One thing you'll need to be prepared for is that it hurts each time you have the wires changed and you might not be able to chew properly for a few days afterwards. Your ortho will tell you to use normal painkillers like ibuprofen which does help a lot. As Watermelon says, carry around lots of wax for when the brackets rub.

Please don't let any of that put you off! I had to have 4 teeth out beforehand and even with that it's totally been worth it so far.

Hi OP. I got mine on middle of March this year. Have clear brackets and tooth coloured wire. Most people don't even notice I have them. Was told it would be 18 months when I got them on but at last appointment said it would more likely be 12. So I'm half way there. The time has flown really.

I'm 39 btw

I'm jealous, my teeth look like shit and I've always wanted them fixed.

Thanks so much everyone!

I got them on last night and honestly had a tiny cry in the car before I drove home – I look like a sweet-16 who ate too much spinach at prom...

I think it's because they're metal self-ligating ones, so they look dark on my teeth – when I catch sight of myself in the mirror my instinct is that they've suddenly gone black and rotten!

But I can feel the little buggers moving already... it's unreal. I tried to floss this morning and couldn't even get the thread in some places!

I am really glad I'm doing it –it's a real gift and act of heavy-duty self-care for me – it's just feeling like a bit of a shock at the moment....

Side note: does anyone else's braces RIP THE BRISTLES OUT OF YOUR TOOTHBRUSH? I couldn't believe it last night; I ended up with hairy teeth

I am in my last couple of months of wearing metal 'train tracks' style braces - yes, its satisfying seeing how quickly your teeth are moving and the comments I've had are curiosity/envy.

No regrets at all although I'm looking forward to being able to eat and drink what I fancy.

You mol get used to them quite quickly. It is mad how fast the teeth move.

I was told to use age 3 to 5 toothbrushes. Never had an issue with bristles getting stuck.

I know a few people who've got braces recently, it's become quite a common thing now for adults. I think once someone you know gets them it sets off a little chain of others who've always wanted to who then get inspired to do their own. Don't be surprised if you get lots of questions about where you got it done and how much it was.

7 months in at 48!! Off in a few months. No regrets.
I saw movement in 2 weeks!
When they hurt a square of chocolate fits nicely in the roof of your mouth.....

Ooh, watching with interest. I’m really wanting to get my stupid teeth straightened.

I got mine at 26 while I was in a professional job. At first they do look terrible because the really show the crookedness of your teeth. But once the teeth straightened out a bit I didn't mind them, I was actually more confident than before even with them on.
I also interviewed and got another professional job while wearing them.
My advice is it makes it easier the more people you tell before they go on as it lessens the surprise for them.

I am going with my own dentist. Paid £400 deposit and as /when I have appointments. Balance total £1500.

I looked for advice on how to style them when I got them at 29 but there's none really. Personally I wore bright lipstick to provide a bit of contrast with the white ceramics i had - bold lips (red, pink, purple) work well and make you look like you're leaning into it but go for the matte or "superstay" stuff because lippy on train tracks is a visual nightmare. Alternatively just go with nude or bare lips.

When you get them on you can find that you have more lip because they push your lips out, and I liked the plumping effect.

If you're wearing elastics I'd say just really go for it with the bright pink and neon blues etc. Never EVER get clear elastics unless they make you, food yellows them really quickly and the effect is gross. If wearing ceramics stay away from curry.

You'll see movement really quickly too.

I'm so envious!

@FabalaTheGreenGirl - yes to the lip plump! My DP's first words when I walked into the house after I got them on were: "The Terminator and Melanie Griffiths had a BABY!"

I have the metal Damon braces, so no elastics and no ceramics to think about. I considered the ceramic ones but I figured – even the white ones aren't invisible; you can still see someone's wearing braces, and I was worried about them staining over time. Figured I'd just 'lean in' to the 'I got braces' look! It's definitely going to take some getting used to though...

They've only put the top ones on for now - they need my top teeth to move before they can put the bottom ones on (in about 3 months' time) and they say it'll be 2 years' treatment in total. I'm paying €114 / month (I'm an expat in Europe), which feels manageable.

I woke up this morning feeling super smug about how painless it all was... and now, 24 hours after getting them on... holy moly they are SORE! I tried to eat some overcooked (super-soft) pasta for lunch and any kind of chewing is seriously painful.

But again, I can feel them moving still! There's definitely less space for my tongue up top than there used to be... I can't believe it!

@Scarletoharaseyebrows if this is something you want, I'd definitely recommend looking into it. I didn't do it for a long time because of the travel involved in my lifestyle, but then even after that I assumed it would be more expensive / time consuming than it's turned out to be...