by Sharon Fuentes
So your folks have told you that you need braces. YIKES! Immediately your brain starts thinking about how bad it is going to be. The terms: Metal Mouth, Tinsel Teeth, Train Tracks keep popping up in your thoughts. CHILL DUDE… it’s not the end of the world. In fact the American Association of Orthodontists says that up to 75% of kids could benefit from braces. In other words… you are not alone.
But still you may be nervous. Perhaps you have heard or seen on TV some things about braces that have you concerned. Never fear SHOUT OUT ONLINE MAGAZINE is here to give you the real DETS on some tall tales you may have heard about braces.
TALL TALE #1- Braces will hurt all the time.
DETS: Ever have a new pair of shoes? You know how they are uncomfortable at first; too tight perhaps rub the wrong way. Having braces is just like that. Braces straighten your teeth by putting pressure on them which makes them move. So yeah at first it is uncomfortable. But just like your new shoes… you get used to them and are off and running in no time. Or in this case… eating, and talking and well you get the idea.
TALL TALE #2- Braces are ugly and will make me look like a dork.
DETS: Braces today are much different then when your mom and dad had them. There are so many different types including invisible ones and ones that go on the back of your teeth. Many kids use there braces as a fashion statement and opt for brackets shaped like hearts or footballs. You can get orthodontic rubber bands in your school colors or holiday hues such as orange, purple and black for Halloween. Some people also choose gold-plated braces and glow-in-the-dark retainers. If that’s dorky then I guess being dorky is actually the new cool!
TALL TALE #3- I wont be able to play sports or my musical instrument anymore.
DETS: So not true! Sure playing your flute will feel different at first and maybe even a little awkward. But remember the new shoes analogy? As far as sports go, you can still play but you will need to use a mouth guard to keep you from getting hurt.
TALL TALE #4- If two people with braces kiss they will get stuck together.
DETS: We all have seen it in the movies or on TV and it is funny but it is also highly unlikely to happen! The brackets and wires that are used in today’s braces are so small that it is almost impossible for them to get stuck together. Also braces are not magnetic, which means any “attraction” felt is on the part of the wearers, and not because of the braces.
TALL TALE #5- Braces will increase my chances of getting struck by lightning.
DETS: According to nationalgeographic.com, the chances of getting struck by lightning is one in 700,000, with or without braces!
