Metal Mouth Message Board

I have started noticing all of the teenagers (11-14) at the school where I work (6-8th grade) who actually wear their Hawley retainers all day.

Some of these children are ... unh ... well, less than well behaved, some act down right horrible, but they wear their retainers! I marvel at how they're wearing their retainers when they've got so much attitude and disrespect for adults and rules, but they've got their retainers in their mouths.

I don't wear my upper Hawley when I'm teaching, the few times I did, kids asked me if I had a retainer. I was embarassed..... how rediculious that is!!! They just asked, they weren't judging!! Maybe it would help some of those I've mentioned above to relate to me? Perhaps respect me?

I am wearing my Hawley tomorrow, ALL DAY! We'll see what happens. Stay tuned.

The stigma attached to braces has made a full 180 in the past 10-15 years. Back in the day, kids regularly got teased for being metal mouths. Now kids literally beg to get braced. I wonder how much of their retainer compliance is tied to braces being cool now?

BTW - your smile looks fabulous! Its results pictures like yours that keep me going when the latest adjustment is killing me.

yes... finally!! a forum talking good about rebellious teenagers.... thank god because i fall under that category. I too wear my hawley 24/7 and havent broken or lost the thing yet (that is saying a lot for me) and people would think i would be the last person to actually wear it because they prob. thought i had a bad attitude about braces because i was constantly breaking them by eating things i apparently wasnt allowed to eat. i dont know why i feel like i need to wear it all the time, maybe because i truely want a nice smile the rest of my life and the only person's fault if that gets screwed up is me so i guess i like the idea that i can control something for once and it can turn out positive and i just want to prove everyone wrong and show that i can be responsible.

its true.. in middle school everyone does wear their retainers but in high school a ton of my friends dont. i do, but occasionally during class ill take it out for maybe 10 minutes because even after wearing it for a month and a half, i still have a HARD time talking with it.

Michelle

(P.S. i hope all that made sense)

THANKS, sportsgrl97!!

I really liked hearing your perspective on this subject!!

You've got a GREAT attitude!!! Keep it up!

Like sportsgrl97, I am a high school student myself.
Braces are not "cool" these days, not at all!

I just got my retainer and I am not looking foward to going back to school (from the Easter brake). I can't talk....I'm afraid that one of my teachers are going to call on me to read something out of a text book and I won't be able to read it! jennielee81, your a teacher? Should I talk to the teacher before class?

As far as how teens act these days, it's crazy! That is about all I can say about it. Where are the parents?
I really wish I was older, people my age act like they are missing half a brain

Paul, Maryaten is right. Practice, Practice, Practice. I've said before, that my "test words" are Reisterstown Church. If I can say that clearly, I can say anything.

Yes, I would say you could and should talk to your teachers about it. I've had kids tell me when they've gotten expanders. They ask that I not call on them to read aloud or answer questions. I appreciate their pro-active attitudes!!! And I don't call on them for about 2 weeks, but I talk to them in general conversation to see how they're doing and then I do call on them again later.

Good luck to you!!

okay, thanks alot!!!!!!