I have a confession to make: I recently got braces put on my teeth.
Yep, I’m a Brace Face.
A Metal Mouth.
What in the world would posses a 30 year old lactating woman, recovering from a C-section while raising a newborn to get braces, you ask?
Well, truth be told, I was running out of things to blog about that didn’t revolve around my daughter.
Okay, that’s a lie. (Sort of.) The real reason is…wait for it…wait for it…I want straight teeth.
I’m vain that way.
I started doing Invisalign (the invisible braces) a few years ago but one of my upper front teeth was turned so much that Invisalign just wasn’t doing the trick, so a couple of months ago I had a decision to make. I could either do a “course correction” with Invisalign which means they’d take new molds of my mouth and send them in to get a whole new set of trays made–a process that would take several months. Or I could get over myself and just let my orthodontist put traditional braces on my upper front teeth and be done in just a couple of weeks.
I’m not going to lie. It took me awhile to make this decision.
In the end I finally decided to suck it up and just go with traditional braces. I was just ready for this whole process to be over with and didn’t want to have to go through several more months of it.
While the thought of getting braces made me cringe, I thought my maternity leave would be the perfect time to have them put on. I’d be holed up in my house for three months, seeing no one but G, Kate, and the mailman!
Boy was I wrong.
You would not believe how many people in my life I’ve seen since Kate’s been born! People I haven’t seen in months–even years–have shown up at our door. It’s like that game show from the 50s–This is Your Life–where all these people from your past come out of the woodwork. I’m half-expecting my third grade teacher to knock on our door any minute here. (Better go put some makeup on.)
So I tried to get braces in secret, but that didn’t work. Now I figured what the hell–might as well share them with the world:
One last thing to add–Kate was only 2 weeks old when I got them put on and I quickly noticed that when I held her she went from looking me in the eyes to staring at my teeth. I told my friend Jill about this:
Me: Kate won’t stop staring at my braces. It’s making me self-conscious.
Jill: She’s probably thinking, “Great. How’d I get the teenage mom?”
(Like how I still managed to make this about my daughter? It’s a gift.)
OMG, you are so funny! Good for you for going for it! And the picture was icing on the cake…only you could look so adorable as a lactating 30-year old with braces.
Oh, and as I am typing this, the NBC15 morning crew out of Madison is discussing braces. Ironic, eh?
So funny! I never had them but always wanted them. Weird,
I know.
You are hilarious!! The braces are sweet. And so is your baby girl. See, even the comment section can be turned all about your daughter! They tell me one day it won’t be all about the kids anymore. I think that will be a sad day…
This made me feel so much better! My dentist just told me that I would have to do traditional braces to finally fix my overcrowding. I was a little distressed about being 30 with braces, but I guess better late than never.
Hi! I’m also 30, 25 weeks pregnant, and sporting a mouth full of braces. I opted for the clear ones on top and that has helped me keep my sanity a bit. Can’t wait until my fingers swell and my wedding rings don’t fit- that’ll complete the knocked-up teenager look I’m so trying to avoid. At least I don’t have acne (great, I just jinxed it).
I’m getting braces and am turning 24 this year! Everyone at work has straight perfect teeth so I’m going to be the total odd woman out. But like you, I want straight teeth and now is a perfect time. I have my spacers in and will get them put on the 24th of this month. I’m nervous, but it must be done!
At least you only have to wear them for a couple of weeks and not years (like I did when I was younger)!
Ha! Brace face, that’s great!
I’ve been surprised by the number of adults that have gone and put braces (either back on or just) on in their late 20s, 30s and 40s because they too want straight teeth.
I went a few weeks ago and got a retainer to help straightent things back out. I had braces for almost 3 years and apparently my dentist/ortho thought that a retainer would just do the job. So far, it’s been great.
Still feel like I’m 13, but it’s great!
I had braces when I was your age–geez that makes me sound old! It was one of the best decisions I ever made. They are a PITA, but so worth it!!
haha – I had braces in high school – both uppers & lowers. I hated them but love that my teeth are straight. Word of advice – wear the retainer! I didn’t wear my bottom one often enough and now they’re crooked again!
Haha I love Jill’s remark. So funny.
Good on YOU though! I think its remarkable to see adults with braces. Its bold. My old dentist who was pushing decided to get braces and ya know what? He pulled them off! I’d rather see people taking care of themselves (no matter how silly they may think the look) than not at all!
(And you DO pull braces off quite well dear!)
Babies are like magpies and raccoons; they like shiny things.
Oh, I THOUGHT that was you I saw on 16 & Pregnant. š
That’s so funny – I literally got my braces off YESTERDAY! I’m 29, and had them for a year a year and 9 months. I’m jealous yours will be done so quickly!
I always say “as soon as you get a wrinkle, get braces.” I have never been carded so much in my life, and I keep getting hit on by 25 & 26 year old guys. š
I’m having a Caramel Apple and Flossing party soon!
My best friend had braces a few years ago, she was in her 20’s and it made her really self conscious. She felt like everyone was staring at her teeth! My sister-in-law needs to get them too, and she’s 34! I feel as if more and more adults are getting them these days! Good for you for taking care of yourself!
SB
http://www.lifeismakebelieve.blogspot.com
My husband and I are both wearing braces and I’m in my late 20’s and he’s in his 30’s! (I guess we’re just one of those couples that has to do everything together…LOL)
You look adorable!
Somehow you manage to make those braces look really darn cute!! You go girl!!
I got braces in ’05 at age 22. It was only for a short time but I’m SO GLAD I did. You’ll be so glad you did it!
ahhhhh hahahahha “how did I manage to get the teenage mom” very funny!!!
Teenage mom, oh my. That gave my coworker and I a really good laugh this morning!
This whole post cracked me up! Teenage mom!
On a serious note I had braces early, as a pre-teen, and quite frankly I wish my parents had waited, because now I’m having to consider getting them again (though looking into the invisalign……how was your experience otherwise?).
Love the pic!
You still look great with braces! I am 26, pregnant with my first child, and had braces for 17 months…I just got them off TODAY!! As hard as it was to deal with looking like a teenager, I am so glad I bit the bullet and got them. You will be too!! At least you only have to do it for a few weeks…
Look at you, keeping this a secret so long. But you’re right. Might as well grin and bare ’em.
jbhat
I like posts about Kate! I wouldn’t care if that’s all you blogged about!
Don’t be silly! I got braces as an adult too and was convinced everyone was looking at my teeth. The few months I had to wear them for were so worth it now that my teeth are straight! You’ll be glad you did!
my friend ashley is older and has braces too, and i actually find them endearing
i don’t think many people actually pay that much attention. we are usually more vain about ourselves than people are about us. you look cute!
On the next 16 and pregnant…
I say GOOD FOR YOU! There are so many “teenage” things I wish I had done as an adult- BRACES being at the top of the list.
Mainy- as an adult, you’re SO much more likely to do as your told by the orthodontist. I screamed and kicked and was a certified PITA for the…wait for it…FOUR YEARS I sported metal in my mouth.
Congrats on the new BLING…or in purse terms HARDWARE š
I *just* got mine taken off… LOVING the results. But yes, I can relate to the “teenager mom” thing. I had multiple comments while I had braces about how my baby’s mom needed to do that, talking to me. I just kindly said “I actually AM his mom”, while thinking “… just cuz I have braces or what?!” GOOD LUCK… you will LOVE the results!
My hubby’s in braces… I’m a dental hygienist & people always look at me like I forced them on him, but he’s VERY happy with the results and they last a lifetime! (As long as you wear your retainers.) Totally worth it! I’m so glad you went for it!!!
Ok, so I have this decision too. Maybe…inspired by my girl D…I will do the braces for a few weeks and be done with it.
Probably no longer than a few hours after I got engaged I decided to get braces—I just had to have straight teeth for the wedding!! I was mistaken for a middle schooler a couple of times, but I have to tell you it was worth it! You made the right decision! Love your blog!
I had braces for 3 years and survived – you can do it! You look great even with a mouth full of metal. And now that you’re a mom no one looks at you anyway – it’s all about Kate now! At least that’s what my mom always told me happened to her.
Hang in there…it’s only temporary.
Um, I actually think the braces aren’t bad on you at all. You are definitely being too hard on yourself. I’m wanting to get them too (mid twenties), like an idiot I was too scared to get my wisdom teeth extracted so I waited until they had fully grown in and crowded my mouth. Now that they’re gone my teeth have shifted and I’m so unhappy with it.
too funny – well you’ll be so happy you went for it once they come off!
Thanks for your comments everyone! So happy to hear so many of you can relate. And I certainly appreciate the words of encouragement. Luckily (or maybe I should say hopefully) these bad boys will be off soon!
@CampDallas–what a coincidence! Off topic here, but what do you think of Christine Bellport’s new hairdo? I kinda think it looks like a wig. But hey, it could be worse! She could have braces.
@DrDrama–You have a gorgeous smile! You don’t look like you need braces at all!
@Jody–Nice work! *high 5*
@Kaolee–OMG, the spacers were THE WORST for me, ouch! Good luck to you!
@Janet–Congratulations on getting them off! Enjoy your celebration, lol!
@Kalee–Great point. Invisalign was a really slow process for me, but I don’t regret going that route at least to begin with. My lower teeth were straightened with Invisalign in just 16 weeks. It’s my uppers that have been more of an issue b/c I have one tooth that’s turned too much. It’s possible that I just wasn’t the best candidate for it.
@Deri–Congratulations! You will enjoy having nice, straight teeth for all those pictures with your beautiful new baby!
@Kalen–So true!
@Ang–Four years? Yikes! Love that you called it “hardware,” lol!
@Megan–Congrats on getting yours off! Those comments would have driven me nuts. Luckily I haven’t had to deal with any of them…yet.
@Mel–If it’s just a few weeks, I say go for it, girl! I don’t think you’ll regret it. I’ll let you know for sure once I get mine off, but so far I don’t regret getting them, and I’m really looking forward to finally having straight teeth!
@Natalie–Good for you! And thank you!
@Megan–Also very true; excellent point.
@CarolinaBelle–That is EXACTLY what happened to me. I’ve never had braces before but my teeth were always fairly straight, until I went against dr’s orders and waiting 6 YEARS from when he told me, “Those wisdom teeth need to come out NOW.” to actually getting them taken out. Doh!
D, I am so glad you brought up Christine’s hair. Do the bangs appear to have a little ‘poof’ to them? As in, my bangs circa mid- 90’s when I used give ’em one big curl with the curling iron? My verdict – I’m not so sure on that new do….maybe braces would help deter from it?!
I remember my braceface days, and all i can say is I’m glad i was 15 at the time. But more power to you! there is nothing like people complementing you on a beautiful smile, it’s addictive! How long will you have to wear them?
Don’t worry, the time will fly by and you’ll have great choppers after! I had my braces for 5 years – 8th grade until college. Now that was painful!
@CampDallas–YES! Exactly! Girlfriend needs to get back into this decade.
@Nadette–Hopefully I will be getting them off this Tuesday! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
@Sara–Five years? Ugh, I’m sure that wasn’t fun. But I’m also sure you’re loving that fantastic smile now, right? š
I’m a new follower & was looking thru your last several posts & saw this one! I too was an adult when I got my braces – they were on for THREE years, so you are lucky to get them off in a few months & your teeth will look gorgeous when your done!
Hi Jen J–welcome, and thanks for your comment. Three years doesn’t sound like fun at all, but I’m sure you’re still happy you did it!