Bad teeth, don't know what to do?

[Anonymous]

I have bad teeth, and they make me insecure, but I really don't want braces.

I'm 17 and I feel like I'm too old to have braces, all my friends had them when they were 15ish, so I really don't want them. Plus, my boyfriend is older, and I'd feel really childish getting braces around him for 4 years or something.

Is there anything else I can do to get better teeth?

[Bloogoo]

I am no dentist or orthodontist but I don't believe there is any other way to straighten your teeth- if that is the issue.

Let me perhaps help you look at it from another approach. Fixing your teeth now will take a few years but will have far reaching consequences for the rest of your life- in terms of your self confidence, self esteem and actual looks.

Why not talk to your boyfriend about what you are feeling... what you might be considering doing and your thoughts concerning yourself and him (as you described).

Knowing human nature as I believe I do, How much would you like to bet he not only supports you in your decision to get the braces but will tell you not to worry at all about what other people think.

I don't know your boyfriend but this is exactly what I would say- either now or when I was his age.

You also ought to talk to a professional. There may be ways to fix up your teeth less obtrusively than the old silver linings...

[TheGoodTheBadTheHOT]

Not really. Braces are the best and fastest fix. Just go for it, bad teeth are forever, braces are temporary

[caligirl3]

porcelain veneers, they are very expensive and I know a women that has them and of all cosmetic surgery she had done porcelain veneers where the most painful, cause they file down your real teeth. I think there is a dental surgery you can do where they change the position of your teeth so they will be straight but I'm sure its super expensive. Braces is the way to go. I had them as well and I'm glad I did have them and its over, I would regret it if I didn't do it. The longer you wait getting braces the longer you will have to have them cause the teeth will be hard to move around cause the roots set more and more. I only had my braces for 2 years so you might not need them for 4 years :)

[ShesSoSilly]

I really wouldn't worry about it there are adults who still have braces. Just do what you need to do to be more confident in yourself and better your life. If your boyfriend left you or treated you differently over braces you should probably reconsider that relationship anyway lol(:

Plus depending on your teeth you could just do something like Invisalign. link

Definitely just speak with an Orthodontis about your options and what they think is best for you and I COMPLETELY agree with Bloogoo and think his answer is the best answer. Just communicate with your boyfriend about how you are feeling and see what he thinks.

[Anonymous]

It's best to get braces now rather than wait til you're over 20 cos it's gonna take longer time to make your teeth straight plus it's more painful too.