The Braces Club

Sitting with my daughter this morning, she piped up “so, since we are all getting braces, we decided to form a club – the Braces Club,” then she listed off about 6 kids in her circle of friends, including herself. Its amazing how many 11 & 12 year olds this affects. Yet they are seeming to embrace it ( boo-hiss bad pun). I think when I was her age I remember maybe two kids that had braces, as well, I think those kids were a bit older like 14 or 15?

I was fortunate enough to never have gone through the process. Not saying my teeth are perfect, but straight enough I guess. My daughters situation isn’t as simple as cosmetic. She has teeth come in at every angle. Quite frankly, her mouth is not big enough the accommodate all her teeth – over crowding for sure! The complication to this is she will have to have some teeth pulled, to make room. Poor kid.

It’s amazing how two siblings can be so opposite, where as my older child maybe has had four cavities. The younger one – waaaaaay too many. We were told the reasons for her extensive cavities was that she had deeper teeth, and possibly produces more saliva which gives way to more cavities. Poor kid. 

As being an adult I know I wouldn’t want to put myself through that kinda discomfort and inconvienence. Over the last few years I have known adults who have gone through that extra stress to fix their teeth because of insurance coverage through work, that would never had been in place when they were growing up. A cousin of mine went through the process and it was called Invisalign which equated to $5,000 when all was said and done. Plus these type of braces also reduces the length of time. Othrodontists get paid very, very well. 

So, now back to the ‘Braces Club’. At least they have a good attitude about this new segment of their lives. Being a kid is tough, so if there are enough of them going through this, hopefully it cuts back on the teasing that carries on with braces. Misery loves company? We can only hope. Poor kids !