Adult braces? Here’s five easy tips to making them less miserable
So you decided to make the plunge into the world of adult braces. Nice work. Even though having braces past your teenage years isn’t the most fun, I have tips that will make the process a little bit more bearable. Check it out!
I’m not going to lie, having braces as an adult is no fun. Some people might argue that, “It’s not so bad,” or “I didn’t mind it.” But, I think they’re lying, ha ha! However, after having braces for 18 months at 40 years old, I figured out some tips and tricks to make the experience a little bit more bearable.
Tip #1: Embrace your braces
When I first got my braces, I tried really hard not to smile. I felt like they were so ugly and I did everything in my power to not show them to anyone. Well, that is just depressing.
After months of trying to hide my braces, I finally embraced them. I started smiling more and figured, I don’t really care what other people think anymore. And guess what, I was happier. It’s amazing how when you try not to smile, how unhappy you start to feel. Plus, no one really gives a care if you have braces. You are your own worst critic.
Tip #2: Invest in the essentials
Braces make it so much harder to keep your teeth clean. That’s why you need to invest in some essential products to keep those pearly whites pearly. Trust me, it’s worth the extra dough. Here are some products that I couldn’t live without while I had braces:
- Water flosser – $30
- Electric toothbrush – $50-$100
- Orthodontic floss (with a stiff end) – $8
There are some other products that you might want to consider buying based on your situation. I didn’t buy al of these items below, but you might find them helpful:
- Wax – $20
- Pain medicine (for after each adjustment) – $10
- Mouth wash – $5
- Non-whitening toothpaste – $5
Tip #3: Do everything your orthodontist says
A sure fire way to not get your braces off as soon as humanely possibly is by NOT doing what your orthodontist says. For example, I was supposed to wear rubber bands at night–12-hours per day–for five months straight. I knew that if I didn’t, then I might have to have my braces on longer and I did not want that. I never missed a night and I was SO happy I did. I was able to get my braces off right on schedule.
Tip #4: Carry an orthodontic toothpick at all times
No one wants to see your spinach salad in your teeth. But you’re not always at home when you eat (obviously). I learned to carry an orthodontic toothpick in my purse all the time. That way, you can quickly clean your braces and remove any trace of your last meal.
Tip #5: Get good dental insurance
Dental insurance in the US is pretty pathetic. But there are some insurances that will cover adult braces. I had insurance through MetLife and they covered a lifetime benefit of $1,000 for my braces. So, in the end, after insurance, I paid about $3,000 for my braces. It’s pricey, but with good dental, it softens the sting when you swipe your credit card.
Bonus tip: You can do it!
The day that I got my braces off was the happiest day of my life (aside from my wedding day and the individual births of my five children, of course). As much as I complained about having braces, the end reward was completely worth it.
My friend on the other hand, hated her braces so bad that she got them off about six months early. So, she endured 9 months of torture and still ended up with crooked teeth. Moral of the story is, YOU CAN DO IT! Just envision your beautiful smile and before you know it, your adult braces journey will be over.
I hope blog post helps make your experience with braces as an adult a little less miserable. Let’s be honest, it’s still going to be miserable, but WORTH IT! Let me know how it goes in the comments below. I want to give a special thanks to Dr. Swenson and his staff at Swenson Orthodontics for doing an amazing job and dealing with my whining for 18 months. I highly recommend them if you live in Utah County. Thank you!
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