Brace Face

Back in my day (when we were allowed outside) life’s beauty procedures were less ‘Instagram and Botox’ and more ‘pick out a colour for your train-track braces’ #thosewerethedays.

If, like me, you wore dental braces through school (complete with bushy hair and an oversized backpack), you’ll remember the pain well.

So, I was disappointed to be welcomed into adulthood with overlapping teeth (and more disappointed that teeth whitening apps are now the height of orthodontic entertainment).

In reality, I only have myself to blame. Not wearing my retainer in my late teens was an act of rebellion that hasn’t done me any favours.

When I got into my late 20’s, having had a Quarter Life Confidence Crisis, I ended up doing to the whole brace-face thing all over again.

This time around (pre-pandemic) I opted for Invisalign (hoorah) but while it made the process more bearable, it turned out to be equally embarrassing …

First on the agenda was losing the case (with the braces inside) at work. Desperate to avoid an email titled ‘teeth handed in at reception’ going out to the entire company, I searched the office high and low, making secret whispers to colleagues.

Colleague: what do you mean you’ve lost your teeth?!

Me: ssshh!! *searches the snack drawer*

I later found them in a pocket in my handbag. Great.

Next up was bumping into my high school teacher in B&Q. ‘What’s new with you?’ is a tough one when you’re still wearing dental elastics and rocking a bushy hair-do (thanks to a sorry attempt at ditching hair straighteners).

Finally, there was the time they fell out of my pocket on a night out (remember nights out?!). The bouncer, unimpressed, let me in so that I could soak them in a glass at the bar.

I’m not the only one getting in on the action. Having been fitted with a retainer, my boyfriend has the joy of wearing one at night. Things got off to a tricky start when they flew out of his mouth and across the room thanks to a vicious sneeze.

If you’re thinking about getting braces as an adult, I highly recommend it.

In 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic (when a dentist appointment is a welcome reason to leave the house), now is a great time to be able to laugh at yourself without the public humiliation.

You can find out more about Invisalign here – Invisalign