HEALTH

Your Bod

I'm gonna be a braceface


I went to the orthodontist today, and he told me I'll be needing braces for two whole years! I'm totally freaked out. I don't want braces at all! What should I do?

 

Braces: Yet another awkward adolescent hurdle that most of us have to leap over. But just like gym class, you’ll conquer this sucker, too. Truth be told, the GL offices are full of former bracefaces. I’m betting the majority of kids at your school will eventually be saddled with braces, too. Keep reality in sight as you prepare for this change: Braces are definitely nothing new or unusual.

 

Think forward

Remember, sweetie: The pain you might feel and humiliation you imagine are going to result in a gleaming smile. And when it comes to braces, two years isn’t a terribly long time, and once you have them, the months will fly by. Promise!

 

Lady luck

Still down in the dumps? Keep in mind that there are a bunch of kids out there whose families can’t afford braces. They’d love to have your perf smile, so consider how fortunate you are to have ‘rents who not only want the best for you, but who can afford to spend their hard-earned cash on keeping your bite bright.

 

Eat up

Once your mouth is packed full o’ metal, there will be certain things you won’t be allowed to eat ‘til those braces come off. Things like corn on the cob, popcorn and bubblegum might be off limits, so get chompin’ while you can.

 

Stockpile supplies

Before the braces go on, you’ll be grateful for a medicine cabinet piled high with essentials like wax, gum-numbing ointment like Orajel and ibuprofen to deal with the irritation cause by pesky wires. Grab a stack of the special floss made for getting behind braces, and the little brushes that’ll keep your brackets clean. One more thing? Food! After you get ‘em on, your mouth will probably be li’l bit too sore to chew normal food. Stick to soft stuff—pudding, jello and smoothies—for a while, okay?

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by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016
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