Braces
Let’s get one thing straight (pun intended): Getting braces as an adult is a trip. Not because it’s some huge health crisis or life-altering medical decision, but because the experience is a rollercoaster of awkwardness, minor victories, and unexpected emotional turmoil that absolutely no one warned me about.
If you’re thinking about getting braces as an adult, first of all, I salute you. It’s brave, it’s responsible, and yes, it can be weird as hell. Here’s the real talk I wish someone had given me before I got my metal mouth. Buckle up.
1. People WILL Assume You’re a Teenager… or Your Midlife Crisis Is in Full Swing
The first time I smiled at a bar with braces on, a guy literally asked me if my fake ID was good enough to get into “a place like this.” I’m 29.
On the flip side, my aunt asked me if I was going through a quarter-life crisis. Apparently, adult orthodontics = a signal you’re reinventing yourself because your life is in shambles. Thanks, Aunt Linda.
2. Your Mouth Is Going to Feel Like a Transformer
Those first few days? Your teeth feel like they’ve been sucker-punched by a tiny army of robots. It’s not pain exactly, more like an annoying pressure that makes you hyper-aware that your teeth even exist. I started chewing like a Victorian orphan trying not to anger the soup gods.
Pro tip: Stock up on soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, and ice cream. (Yes, this is the one time in adulthood you can justify a freezer full of Ben & Jerry’s.)
3. You’ll Develop a Sixth Sense for Spinach
Spinach. Kale. That one tiny flake of oregano. They will ALL betray you. Every leafy green becomes an enemy combatant, and your new life mission is constantly checking your teeth after every meal.
I started carrying dental floss, a compact mirror, and those little plastic brush things everywhere I went. My purse turned into a dental hygiene survival kit. At one point I actually asked a date, “Do I have anything in my brackets?” before dessert.
4. The Lisp Is Real and It Is Ruthless
Especially if you get Invisalign or any kind of clear aligners. I spent the first week sounding like a drunk cartoon snake. “Thith ith tho embatharathing.”
And just when you think you’ve conquered the lisp? New trays. And the lisp returns, like a clingy ex who heard you’re doing better.
5. Kissing Is… an Adventure
Nobody talks about this and I understand why. Kissing with braces is like making out with a toaster oven. There’s some trial and error. You learn angles. You pray your partner is understanding and not afraid of a little chrome.
And if you’re single? Godspeed. You’re going to have the talk about your braces more than once. Make it funny. Make it flirty. Just maybe don’t lead with, “I swear I’m not in high school.”
6. You’ll Question EVERYTHING When You Get Your First Tightening
I walked into my first adjustment appointment smiling. I walked out googling if teeth can just straight-up fall out from pressure. Spoiler: They don’t. But your entire mouth will feel like it just ran a marathon.
But here’s the wild part: You can actually see changes happening pretty quickly. A slightly less crooked front tooth? A little more space where things used to be jammed? It’s like seeing magic happen in real time, and it’s kind of addicting.
7. The Emotional Rollercoaster Is Real
You will go from “I’m doing this for my health and confidence” to “I look like a teenage cyborg and I hate everyone” within 12 hours.
I had days where I felt empowered and responsible. I also had days where I covered my mouth during Zoom calls because I felt weirdly self-conscious about smiling. And don’t even get me started on how I avoided group photos for months.
But here’s the good news: That self-consciousness fades. You get used to it. And eventually, you stop caring what people think because you know you’re working toward something better.
8. Retainers Are Forever, Baby
Just when you think you’re done: surprise! Retainers. Every night. Possibly forever. Because your teeth, the sneaky little rebels that they are, want to migrate back to their homeland.
But honestly? After all the effort, you want to wear that retainer. You want to protect the investment. It becomes less of a chore and more of a ritual.
9. You’ll Love Your Smile More Than You Thought Possible
The first time I smiled in a photo after getting my braces off, I felt unstoppable. Like, “main character energy” levels of confident. It was wild how much a straighter smile changed how I saw myself.
It’s not about vanity. It’s about finally feeling aligned with the version of yourself you’ve always wanted to be. And yes, that sounds cheesy, but so is every good pizza. Don’t fight me on this.
10. You’ll End Up Lowkey Evangelizing Braces to Everyone
I used to laugh at the idea of adults getting braces. Now I’m that person who goes, “Honestly? You should just do it. It’s not that bad and you’ll love the results.”
Do I sound like a cult leader for orthodontics? Maybe. But when you’ve been through the metal-mouth trenches and come out the other side with a smile that could star in a toothpaste ad, you kind of earn the right.
Final Thoughts
Getting braces as an adult isn’t always fun. It’s not always glamorous. But it is worth it. If you’re even thinking about doing it, take this as your sign. Talk to a good orthodontist (shoutout to Dr. Fanelli in Ogden, UT!), get the consult, and start the journey.
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