Whether it's in middle school, high school, or maybe college, braces are a main accessory for many people. I thought it was the worst thing getting braces. My smile wasn't mine, and it made me look even younger than I already do. Not cool. There are several people out there who don't have to go through this annoying process, so for those of you who don't really know what we go through, maybe this will give you a bit of a better idea:
1. Pain, pain, and more pain
The one thing they don't tell you, is that you'll be sore. After getting new wires, after getting them on, anything; the heads up is not given. Well, sometimes, but lets be real. The day after getting them off had to have been the worst pain, just because I wasn't used to it.
2. Food choices are slim
The first thing they tell you when you get your braces on are the foods you can and cannot eat. From popcorn to sugar free gum, the list is like a novel. Me personally, I followed the rules every now and then, but there is always the craving for popcorn while I'm watching a movie with my friends. Good thing I don't like caramel!
3. Food gets stuck in the nooks and crannies
If you don't have enough already to worry about while having braces, making sure there isn't any food stuck in the brackets or wires is an everyday struggle. Whether it's bread from your PBJ or lettuce from your chef salad, something always gets stuck. The one good invention in the braces world is the water pick. That becomes your best friend.
4. The struggle of Wax
People who don't experience braces don't understand the use of wax. It can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Trying to get it to stick to pointy wires or annoying brackets has to be the longest process. I know for me I always lost the small containers the wax came in, so I was in a lot of pain.
5. Sores, Sores, and more Sores
So this has to be the worst thing about braces; the sores. Whether it's from the first appointment after getting them on, or just the wire starting to poke at your gum, sores are bound to happen. Everyone who has had braces, or has them now, knows the pain! That's when you become really good friends with your wax.
6. How much longer?
Now, everyone has braces for different periods of times. Some for four years, some for one, it all depends on your mouth! I was asking myself this question since the day I got them on. Not knowing how much longer you'll have railroad tracks on can get irritating.
7. Advil, you are a savior
To help with the pain, other than ice cream (which was my favorite solution), Advil becomes similar to candy. Well, know that taking too much isn't good for your stomach, but you get what I mean. I always used to take at least one a half hour before my appointments, so when I got a new wire put on, the tightness and pressure wouldn't be so bad. Best decision I ever made.
8. I thought rubber bands were office supplies?
Who knew that rubber bands were a part of the braces process. When I heard I would have to be putting them in my mouth, I was so confused. They are as big as an M&M, maybe smaller, that go around a top bracket and go down to a lower bracket. People with braces know the struggle of them snapping and giving you fat lips. Fat lips become a new accessory.
9. Molds do NOT taste good
Before you get your braces put on, and before you get your retainers, you have to get molds done to match your jaw and teeth. The nasty substance that they use for the mold had to have been the worst taste I've ever experienced, other than some vegetables. I mean come on, at least give us some flavors to choose from!
10. THE LAST APPOINTMENT!!
There it is, the finish line. Getting to the last appointment to schedule your braces to come off is the best feeling. Knowing all the pain, sores, and struggles are pretty much over just makes you want to cry. Literally, I teared up a little.
The time with braces seems like it goes on forever, and maybe it does for some people. But when we complain about the pain, or our wires, give us some sympathy! Through the wire changes, or fat lips from the rubber bands, beauty hurts, and in the long run, a perfect smile is totally worth it.
