I had braces when my husband and I met. I always say it’s one of the ways I knew it was true love, since he fell for me then.
I remember feeling a little persecuted that I didn’t get braces until my junior year in high school. Couldn’t we have done this earlier? “You didn’t need them then,” was the doctor’s reply.
(Notice the closed-mouth braces smile in my senior yearbook photo?)
Sr. Yearbook Photo
My top teeth weren’t bad, but the bottom ones had begun to sink back. I was already self-conscious about my nose. This made it much worse, especially in profile.
Our orthodontist was quirky; I remember his crazy quilted pants and offbeat office decor. My sister and I had braces at the same time.
Our high school had open campus at lunch, meaning we could go out to eat. After braces adjustments, when my mouth was sore, my girlfriends and I went to TCBY for yogurt. It seemed like a brilliant solution, but I’ll never forget the time when I ordered M&Ms on top. Frozen, hard-as-a-rock M&Ms. Ouch.
My braces were removed on a summer morning after my senior year. Afterward, I drove straight to my future husband’s house to show off my new, improved smile. I’m glad my parents were able to do this for me. It made such a difference in my appearance and confidence. I still wear a permanently attached retainer to keep those bottom teeth in place.
Best High School Friends
Win Invisalign Braces for Your Teen
Did you know that today’s teens have a modern, no wires and brackets choice for straightening their teeth? Invisalign Teen, a series of removable and virtually invisible aligners that gradually move teeth over time to help your teen achieve a great smile and proper bite, is a clear alternative to metal braces.
Invisalign Teen is offering one mom the chance to win a new smile—valued at up to $5500!—for her child. Visit Blissfully Domestic for contest rules and entry requirements. There are five ways to win!
Read more posts in this series!
- You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile @ Pensieve
- Just Smile @Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
- On Insecurity. And the ugly teeth. @ Musings of a Housewife
- 6th Grade Dreams and a Lifetime of Reality @ Moosh in Indy
- The Power of a Smile @ A Southern Fairytale
- The Value of a Smile @ Jenny On the Spot
- Show Me Those Pearly Whites @ Sassy Irish Lassie
{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Invisalign and BlissTV.}
DAWN!!! I love your pictures! Please tell me this was in the 80’s. Pretty sure I had that same hairstyle.
I had braces in my 20’s. Paid for them myself because we couldn’t afford them when I was younger.
Now years later, I have beautiful, straight teeth except for one small space. I would definitely wear Invisalign for myself and get Invisalign for my children as well. I just love the concept.
Yes, definitely the 80s. 🙂
My 14- and 11-year-old daughters are probably both going to need braces. I would love to get these for them as well. I sure wish I’d had something like Invisalign. I still remember those sharp wires!
I had braces when I was pregnant with Noah. Yup, little one year old Austin and me too pregnant for regular clothes and not prego enough for maternity. My silver braces (that were supposed to be clear brackets!) and wearing overalls really made me look like a young, teenage mother. *sigh* It wasn’t until I had my braces removed that I first heard about invisalign. Too bad, huh?
PS LOVE LOVE LOVE those pics of you!!!
Marsha, and I was upset about getting them at 17. 🙂 I’ll bet you’re so glad you did it though!
Invisalign Teen are a clear alternative to braces and the best thing is no-one need know your wearing aligners.
I’ve retweeted the competition and look forward to your tweets: )