Braces. Sometimes you get stuck with them, and sometimes you’re a lucky one and you never have to deal with them. I was one of those unlucky metal-mouthed high schoolers. I got braces my freshman year of high school and didn’t get them off until the middle of my freshman year of college. That means I had braces my entire high school career, so I feel like I’ve got a thing or two to say about living with braces.

1. Getting to skip school once a month to go to the orthodontist.

Nothing was better than getting to schedule your appointments perfectly so you got to skip your least favorite class, or that really important math test that you didn’t quite spend enough time studying for. Plus why not treat yourself to lunch out after your appointment? English class can wait.

2. Having a sore mouth for a solid week after each appointment.

While skipping school to visit the orthodontist was great, the actual appointments were a pain, literally. I mean doesn’t everyone want to spend a solid thirty minutes a month with a stranger’s hands in their mouth? No? Okay.

3. Eating becomes something you actually have to think about.

No apples. No caramel. No celery. No popcorn. Nothing too sticky or hard. Plus, you’d be lucky if you got through one meal without having to pick food out of your braces at least five times.

4. Getting awkwardly called out for not wearing your rubber bands.

I’m sorry! They hurt, okay?

5. When the orthodontist has to take a mold of your teeth and you learn just how sensitive your gag reflex is.

Seriously, though, is there anything more uncomfortable?

6. Constantly living with scrapes and cuts on the inside of your mouth.

Ah, the taste of blood never gets old.

7. Realizing that braces are a lifelong process.

Permanent retainers? Implants? Check up appointments? I had no idea I was signing up for that when I first got my braces.

8. The pure feel of relief when you finally get your braces off.

You’re finally free! And you look pretty good too.