One of the things I was most worried about with getting adult braces with Ferris Orthodontics is the timing. I am constantly meeting new people for business, speaking in front of others for various engagements, and just with life in general there’s never going to be a span of a year where I could hide from public view the entire time. For example, Orlando and I just attended a wedding in August in Toronto for one of his basketball teammates and there I was, meeting a whole wedding’s worth of strangers for the first time in braces as a 32-year-old. I had to figure out how to navigate life as an adult going through orthodontic treatment, and I’ve learned 5 things about how to make it as painless as possible:
1. Be the first to crack a joke about it.
This is a classic defense mechanism, a la Chandler Bing, but if you can laugh at yourself before someone else has a chance to crack a joke about it, it stings less. Oh, and when eating in public situations, laugh it off if you have to be awkwardly making sure you don’t have food in your teeth, or make sure you have a buddy available to give you the once over.
2. Practice your new smile.
It might sound vain, but for photos I wanted to be able to perfect a close-lipped smile when I wasn’t feeling like showing off the braces, and then if the camera was far enough away I could still flash my pearly (if somewhat more metallic) whites. It doesn’t hurt to practice in the mirror since braces add a new dimension to your face and you want to still be confident in your smile when posing for the camera. If you’re really self-conscious you can even practice different expressions like surprise (trying gasping without showing your teeth el. oh. el.) so you know going into any social interactions that you’re still looking good, girl. Just remember confidence is key!
3. Enjoy the instant lip injection.
One of the unexpected side effects of braces I had completely not anticipated was the volume it adds to my lips! I’ve literally had people send messages on Instagram asking if I’ve gotten lip injections, or saying they noticed the extra plumpness. I have a feeling I’m going to want lip injections when the braces are gone, because I’ve been enjoying the voluptuous pout more than I would have ever believed! So remember with braces they are also benefits, no needles required!
4. Be bold elsewhere.
I was telling somebody the other day that oddly enough I think I’ve gotten more daring with my style and acccessories since having braces. It’s almost as if subconsciously I want to distract from the braces, so I figure if I give people something else to look at or pay attention to, they won’t be sitting staring at my metal mouth all day. I’ve actually gained confidence to wear looks that I might otherwise not have, and it’s been fun to see people react to looks that are outside the norm for me! Braces? What braces?
5. Remember nobody cares as much as you do.
I’ve quoted this saying before on the blog, but it’s a good reminder when I’m feeling self-conscious about anything: “In my teens I cared what everyone thought about me. In my 20’s I didn’t care what anyone thought. And in my 30’s I realized no one was ever paying attention.” Something to that effect. The point is, NOBODY is focusing on your areas of insecurity as much as you are. The things we think are sticking out like sore thumbs aren’t even a blip on someone else’s radar. So let. it. go. Seriously! It’s the most freeing and bold thing you can do.
Have you had adult braces? How did you handle it in social situations? Let me know in the comments!
Best,
Aquila
P.S. This post was sponsored by Ferris Orthodontics. Don’t worry though, all opinions are my own.
