Did you wear braces?

Have you ever worn braces on your teeth?

Nope.


My niece had to wear them and her teeth weren't in any bad condition, so I have to wonder how many kids actually need them and it's not just their parents' vanity or their only too eagerness to do whatever the good doctor says. I never got them despite my gaps and one crooked tooth because since I wasn't done growing, there was a chance they would straighten themselves out, and I really can't see, except in severe cases, going through that 2 or 3 years of metal mouth hell until the person is grown.

Supernova wrote:so I have to wonder how many kids actually need them and it's not just their parents' vanity or their only too eagerness to do whatever the good doctor says.

I have to agree with that one. When my Mom was in school, in the '50's and '60's, she told me just every once in a while she'd see a kid wear braces, but when I was in school a lot of kids had them. I think it's overdone and unnecessary a lot of the time.

As for me, I had braces for 2-3 years and then after my braces were off I had retainers on both my top and bottom teeth for another nine months or so. Finally, when all that came off, it was nice just to feel my teeth! I had a horrible dentist and I remember when I was 15 or so I said to my Mom "Mom, please, after these braces come off, let me see someone else." She agreed with me whole-heartedly, as she was disgusted with him herself.

Supernova wrote:so I have to wonder how many kids actually need them and it's not just their parents' vanity or their only too eagerness to do whatever the good doctor says.

I have to agree with that one. When my Mom was in school, in the '50's and '60's, she told me just every once in a while she'd see a kid wear braces, but when I was in school a lot of kids had them. I think it's overdone and unnecessary a lot of the time.

As for me, I had braces for 2-3 years and then after my braces were off I had retainers on both my top and bottom teeth for another nine months or so. Finally, when all that came off, it was nice just to feel my teeth! I had a horrible dentist and I remember when I was 15 or so I said to my Mom "Mom, please, after these braces come off, let me see someone else." She agreed with me whole-heartedly, as she was disgusted with him herself.

Some people get on my case when they found out I didn't go to a dentist until I was almost 18, had I gone before he probably would've pushed for braces because my front teeth have gaps and one molar came in crooked and is far out to the side, and they still are, but they don't hurt, they're in tight, and they can chew through everything 'normal' teeth can, so as far as I'm concerned, they're fine without braces.

I had braces from 5th grade until sophomore or junior year of HS. My teeth were so bad my orthodontist almost wrote a paper on my case. That's why I appreciate my beautiful smile (see) to this day and have always taken care of my teeth since.

Supernova wrote:Some people get on my case when they found out I didn't go to a dentist until I was almost 18

Eh, that's people for you - always pushing their opinions on other people, as if we really give a damn. And hey, as long as you're happy with your teeth, that's all that matters. My Mom didn't take me to the dentist till I was about 8 and I was a happy camper those first couple years of grade school.

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:

Supernova wrote:Some people get on my case when they found out I didn't go to a dentist until I was almost 18

Eh, that's people for you - always pushing their opinions on other people, as if we really give a damn. And hey, as long as you're happy with your teeth, that's all that matters. My Mom didn't take me to the dentist till I was about 8 and I was a happy camper those first couple years of grade school.

Well I think the real clencher for them is when I told them that the first time I went, I had a molar extracted that was rotted and as the dentist put it 'completely shot', when he finally got that sucker out it was black in the center and pointed like a hound's tooth. But it wasn't hurting so I didn't go until I knew something was wrong with it, which is still pretty much my attitude; when I know I have a cavity, I go and get it filled, when I got a hole in another molar, I had it taken out, when another one got too long to close my jaws, I went and had it taken out, but I don't go much just for checkups and to have him find new problems, I seem to find plenty of them by myself.

Yes, I had them as an adult in my early 20's.

I wore them from the time I was 13 to about 17. I totally disagree about them being for parents vanity. But why wouldn't a parent want their kids to have straight teeth? Hell why wouldn't a kid want that? I remember they and the upkeep with orthodontist was annoying, but even then I appreciated that the whole thing was for the betterment of my teeth. Crooked teeth run in my family on my fathers side and I had cousins my age whose teeth were a train wreck but their parents weren't in any position to fix them. I appreciated that mine were.

Jason B. wrote: But why wouldn't a parent want their kids to have straight teeth? Hell why wouldn't a kid want that?

For the same reason that even if your child is short, you wouldn't pop for surgery to break their bones and expand them, as one 14 year old girl had to become stewardess height; because they're not done growing yet and their body is not done reshaping itself, including the mouth. My mother always told me that since my mouth was still growing along with the rest of me, the teeth might straighten themselves out, mine never did, but that's not to say others' wouldn't, and until it's permanent I can't see going through a prolonged, painful and expensive process until anything's certain.

Supernova wrote:

Jason B. wrote: But why wouldn't a parent want their kids to have straight teeth? Hell why wouldn't a kid want that?

For the same reason that even if your child is short, you wouldn't pop for surgery to break their bones and expand them, as one 14 year old girl had to become stewardess height; because they're not done growing yet and their body is not done reshaping itself, including the mouth. My mother always told me that since my mouth was still growing along with the rest of me, the teeth might straighten themselves out, mine never did, but that's not to say others' wouldn't, and until it's permanent I can't see going through a prolonged, painful and expensive process until anything's certain.

That was an absurd analogy. Breaking bones to maximize height potential isn't anywhere near akin to having a kid fitted for braces, nor is it a common medically-supported procedure for anyone of any age.

Not to criticize your mother, but she was INCREDIBLY naive to think that your teeth would naturally straighten out. I don't know anyone who that's ever happened to.

I'd put 6 months pay on the odds that a 12 year old with crooked teeth will still have those same crooked teeth by the time they're 20, if it's never taken care of.

I'd put 6 months pay on the odds that a 12 year old with crooked teeth will still have those same crooked teeth by the time they're 20, if it's never taken care of.

That would be a completely safe bet.

The thing with misaligned teeth is that while they can be fully functional, they are harder to keep clean and so therefore, the likelihood of the "crookedness" causing a decay issue is greater.

I had mine on for about 2 1/2 years as a teenager, but only needed them on my bottom teeth. My top row wasn't a problem.

I got braces my freshman year of HS and got them taken off the top my senior year. Still wore them at the bottom for a little while longer, but at least my senior pics has metal-free and straight smile.

Nope, never had them. My brother has them now. And I totally agree that it's ridiculous to let your child have crooked teeth.

Yes. My mom was really big on dental upkeep from as far back as I remember. Brushing after every meal, rinsing, flossing and dental cleanings. My front teeth were fine, but my back teeth were crooked. My braces were put on when I was 13 and I wore them up until I turned 16. And sorry but I can't agree with the notion that a parent shouldn't be proactive about dental health. IMO it's as important as going to the doctor and getting a checkup.

I didn't pay to have my daughter's teeth straightened because of my vanity any more than my parent's payed for my teeth because of their's. I did it for her just as they did it for me.

I wore clear braces when I was in my early 20's because for some reason my parents didn't think enough of me to get my teeth fixed when I was young.