You might feel embarrassed or insecure if you have crooked teeth, but for many people the idea of wearing braces can also cause confidence issues. Here are a few tips on how to look and feel confident when wearing braces.
Stay focused on the end result.
On days when you find yourself feeling less than confident in your new braces, keep reminding yourself: they’re only temporary, and a beautiful straight smile will be worth it!
Smile knowing that moment by moment, your teeth are getting straighter.
Consider clear or lingual braces.
Ask your orthodontist about more inconspicuous options such as Invisalign clear orthodontic aligners, or lingual braces (metal braces that attach to the backs of your teeth), if you just can’t imagine that you’d be confident enough to smile with metal braces.
Think of your braces as accessories.
Your braces are going to be part of your appearance for many months, or possibly even years. Use colourful elastics or bright lipsticks to make them stand out, rather than trying to make them blend it, and try to think of your braces as an accessory, like a necklace or earrings.
Remember that braces are actually kind of cool.
OK, so your thinking that's a stretch, braces aren't cool...but they really are! Your braces are incredible, intricate little mechanisms that you wear in your mouth. They quietly work away at straightening your teeth, without your having to do anything. So, while you may not love how they look, you have to admit, they’re pretty neat.
Just smile.
Fake it until you make it! Whether you feel confident about it or not, just smile smile smile! The fact is that the more you avoid smiling in an attempt to hide your braces, the less confident you’ll feel, and look. People will know you have braces whether you smile or not, so you might as well go for it!
The more you smile with braces, the more used to it you’ll get, and the less self-conscious you’ll feel. Honestly!