I had been thinking about getting braces for quite a while, but it wasn't until I started dating a guy with PERFECT (I mean - PERFECT!!!) teeth that I actually decided to just bite the bullet - with my screwed up teeth - and do it. Up until the actual day they were put on, it seemed like an abstract concept - I went through the various appointments for consultations, x-rays, and impressions of my teeth without really thinking about it.

On the day I was scheduled to get them on, I enjoyed my last braces-free meal: sushi and cracker jacks. Knowing I would have to avoid popcorn for the next two years, I almost cried when I got to the end of the bag! Then, my boyfriend picked me up and we were off to the Chamber of Doom - oops, I mean the Ortho's Office.

My approach to scary and unpleasant experiences is to try and block them out as much as possible, and this was no different. I asked the Ortho and the Hygienist not to explain at all what they were doing to my teeth, and frankly, not knowing was a lot better than anxiously anticipating each step! I just lay there and thought of England! My boyfriend held my hand the entire time and that helped too. Before I knew it, they had cleaned my teeth, applied the special glue, put on the braces (clear brackets), and snapped the wire into place (bottom only - I need some teeth extracted on top before they can put the wire there -- that happens this week).

The braces felt huge in my mouth and the wires poked me. But it did not feel at all as awful as I had expected. I have to admit that I'm kind of a vain person and I was very worried about my appearance with the braces! My first thought upon seeing myself in the mirror was that I looked like a robot. I'm not too worried though - I am told that as my teeth straighten out, the braces will be straighter too and won't look so much like a connect the dots picture. Also, since my mouth is not accustomed to these foreign objects, I tend to smile differently (I look like I'm grimacing instead of smiling). That, I am told, will change too, as I get used to them and smile more naturally.

I was very self-conscious about showing people my braces but believe me when I say - nobody cares. My boyfriend, family, friends, and co-workers all had kind words for me and not one person at all said anything rude. I got lots of encouragement and support and realized that I am so not the only person to get braces - even at my age (23). My co-worker, who's in her forties, is now looking into getting them herself. I even encountered a few guys who admitted to having a braces fetish (I know - ugh).

So far, eating with braces on is very annoying. Everyone is telling me that I will get used to it and soon be able to eat anything I want. For now, I am sticking to a steady diet of soup, noodles, and beer (have to get my nutrients somehow!) But I'm really looking forward to eating sushi sometime soon! Whenever I have pain, I just slap on some Anbesol and that allows me to eat more comfortably.

Having braces is a little bit annoying, but I don't regret getting them at all -- the end justifies the means. I am really glad that I decided to go ahead with it. In order to have a beautiful smile, I think I can bear to part with corn on the cob, cracker jacks, and a large sum of money!

Cheers to all the brace faces out there!