The Must-Have Spring Look
Article by Lauren Valentine

Brace yourself – metal mouth is on the rise and orthodontics are becoming more popular (and sexier!) then ever. In fact, an article published in early 2008 declared some 4 million people in Canada and the US wear orthodontic braces, and an estimated 1 million (25%) of these people are 18 years or older.

When I marched into The Brace Place in September 2007, I was 21, recently graduated from college, and had three months left to suck the teat on my parent’s health insurance as a "dependant". I was hesitant about this whole tinsel teeth thing but I was also cheap, and realized if I was ever going to do this, now was the time.

Turns out the choices available to adults who choose to straighten their smile have come a long way, even from a few years ago. There are now ceramic braces (less visible then metal braces), Invisalign® braces (which use a series of invisible and removable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing), and iBraces (custom made braces placed behind your teeth). You can even choose to wear your bling in your mouth and opt for gold braces! Just think of the money you’ll save on jewelry.

In the end I decided to go like my ancestors before me and opt for the traditional metal braces. Not only did this option best fit into my price range, but it also gave me the opportunity to add different colour elastics to my teeth each month to customize my smile. Red and white for Canada Day anyone? Perhaps green and yellow for spring! Ah, but maybe nix the yellow – that could backfire by making me look as if I just haven’t brushed for a loooooong while…

In January, after all the decisions and new space in my mouth had been made, I sat in the orthodontist’s chair as they put a big plastic holder-opener thingy (technical term of course) in my mouth and applied the new accessory that will accompany me everywhere during the next two years of my life. As they went about their business I tried to draw inspiration by thinking of famous people who had donned braces. There was Tom Cruise (obviously) and I think I had heard Whoopie Goldberg wore braces when she was an adult PLUS ended up dating her orthodontist. I looked up at my orthodontist. I don’t think I would ever feel comfortable dating anyone who meticulously examined my mouth from this angle on a monthly basis.

Forty-five slightly uncomfortable but painless minutes later, plus ten minutes of an early 90s movie cautioning me not to eat jube jubes or gum, and I was free (well, until next month). As the office had warned me I did experience some discomfort for the next few days while my teeth adjusted, but note it’s a regular feeling when one gets their wires tightened and is nothing a little milkshake or smoothie therapy won’t fix.

The first time I looked in the mirror at myself as a brace face, I was shocked. Not only were my "accessories" much less noticeable then I imagined, but I swear my teeth were starting to look straighter already. I was never overly self-conscious about my smile, but braces have given me that extra boost of confidence to really feel comfortable putting my pearly whites on display. Let me just say I don’t think anyone should feel they need straight teeth to be considered attractive, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes – and that includes diverse kissers. But, if braces are something you want to do for YOU, rest assured you can still be that sexy, smoldering goddess woman you were without them – because sweetheart, that’s totally something that radiates from the inside out.

The time has come to be chique with our snaggleteeth! Beautiful with our brace face! Rock out with our metal mouths!

So, what’s on your teeth this spring?