A smile is a beautiful thing, no matter what your teeth look like. However, I personally felt conscious of the way my teeth looked, and as someone who loves to smile, it affected me for the longest time from hesitating to laugh with my mouth wide open or talking to others with my teeth showing too much. It’s been 14 months since my braces were put on. Read here for tips on saving money for braces. I’d considered Invisalign a few years ago, however, they are more suitable and effective for mild cases, whereas traditional braces are able to fix even the most tricky situations.
Pros
Straight teeth. This is definitely the best thing about braces because ultimately the end goal is straight teeth.
Confidence booster. It’s a confidence booster because they’re getting straighter each day, and most people don’t even notice or care if you have braces.
Age is no limit. Most people get braces at a young age, however, orthodontists have many patients that are in their late teens or are adults.
Looking younger. Braces can make you seem more youthful, as they are more commonly worn during high school.
Satisfaction of gaps closing. I had 4 teeth extracted, and there’s something so satisfying about seeing them gradually close up as the months go by.
Least expensive of braces types. Metal braces tend to be more affordable than more subtle braces. Plus you can choose colours.
They move your teeth efficiently. Metal braces are made from stainless steel and rubber bands are used to attach the wire.
Cons
Staining and limited brushing. Pre-braces my teeth were fairly white, however, I noticed in the past year, especially in photos that they’ve become slightly yellow.
Costly. This is more of a pro in the sense that you’re making an investment. Braces are costly and can cost thousands of dollars.
Cleaning is time-consuming. I find this is a pro because it’s encouraged me to spend more time on oral hygiene, although it can take longer to clean your teeth with braces.
Elastics falling out. There have been moments where I’ve laughed too hard, and the rubber bands I wear, have snapped! Most of the time, it’s during eating that the elastics will fall out.
Pain. This only happens briefly after getting your braces tightened every 4-6 weeks. The pain is tolerable, and simply a tight feeling, as your teeth are shifting and moving into position.
Food stuck. There’s nothing more attractive than getting lettuce stuck in your braces! It seems after eating a salad, you can’t quite get rid of it all unless you brush your teeth.
What a great article!!
I have braces myself and i’m in my late 20’s and it doesn’t bother at all!!
It did before, so I used Orthocaps (just like the invisalign concept) but seriously there’s no comparison, the result is much quicker and perfect.
For the yellow color u have, I brush my teeth one in a while with activated charcoal powder. And I always get my white teeth back (I have them in pills that i open and put it on my teeth brush, – brush brush brush – rince)
Thank you :) I’ve heard good things about activated charcoal, may have to try it out at some point! Thanks for the tip x
I’ve got my braces on right now – just had them under a year and I love them to bits, yes the food is annoying and embarrassing but my teeth are so straight it’s worth the few months of being awkward.
I will miss them when they’re gone
I agree, seeing them get straighter as each month goes by makes it all worth it! I know what you mean, I can’t remember what it felt like when I didn’t have them on!