2025 #17: Having Adult Braces 😬🦷 (6 month into it)

My Journey with Adult Braces: A Smile Worth Investing In 🦷😬

For the longest time, getting braces was on my mind. It was one of those decisions I kept pushing aside—something that felt overwhelming, awkward, and frankly, a bit intimidating. But this year, I finally took the leap and decided to improve my smile. What started as a goal for aesthetics turned out to be a journey to conquer one of my insecurities.

I have always struggled with my oral health. Over the years, I developed bad habits like using my teeth to open things, which led to my front tooth overlapping. Neglecting my oral care resulted in having several teeth removed, leaving me feeling embarrassed and self-conscious about my smile. Braces felt like the right solution, but as an adult, the idea of getting them came with its own set of doubts.

One of the biggest disadvantages I anticipated was how I would feel being an adult with braces. I thought it would be awkward, like I was out of place, and I worried about how others might perceive me. Would people stare? Would they make jokes about it? These thoughts lingered, feeding my hesitation to go through with it. But once I actually got them, I realized those fears were unfounded. People were surprisingly supportive, and, to my surprise, no one even paid much attention to my braces. It turns out, my insecurities were louder than the reality.

With that newfound understanding, I decided to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. At the end of the day, I reminded myself that I wasn’t doing this for anyone else—I was doing this for me. Knowing that one day I’ll have a smile I can be proud of, a smile that I’ll confidently flash in our future trips and photographs, makes the journey all worth it.

I’ve had adult braces for six months now, and I’m starting to see noticeable changes in my teeth alignment. While the progress is encouraging, I still have some concerns about the overall symmetry of my smile. For now, I’m trusting the process and trying to stay patient. I know that the final outcome may take time to fully reveal itself. I plan to continue monitoring my progress closely and will provide another update every 6 months when my treatment is expected to wrap up around 2027. I’m staying patient and looking forward to the full results.

And I recently change the color of my braces to royal blue 💙

✨️FINAL THOUGHTS💭

Closing this chapter of self-doubt, I’ve come to realize that getting adult braces is more than just a dental adjustment. It’s a significant commitment and a rewarding investment—not only in my oral health but also in my self-esteem. It’s a reminder that sometimes taking care of ourselves involves stepping out of our comfort zones. The road may have challenges, but knowing that the destination is a confident and healthy smile makes every step worthwhile.

To anyone considering adult braces, remember this: it’s never too late to prioritize yourself and transform your insecurities into strengths. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it.

One more year to go…