Comments on: Reader mail: Will braces hurt my interviewing chances?

By: Oral Surgeon – Latest Oral Surgeon news – Reader mail: Will braces hurt my interviewing chances?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:08:50 +0000

[...] Reader mail: Will braces hurt my interviewing chances? [...]

By: Anonymous with no braces insurance

Anonymous with no braces insurance — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:32:36 +0000

I can attest that braces could possibly help with the gum disease. I found that perio pockets were next to the tooth that was crooked. Go get the braces especially if you have insurance now. If you don’t get the job because of the braces, would you really enjoy working at that outfit anyways?

By: Legalicious07

Legalicious07 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:36:02 +0000

This thread is bringing back so many memories. I nearly forgot that I had had braces in high school (from 9th grade until just before 12th grade). Just hearing you all talk about rubber bands and retightenings has literally caused my mouth to “feel” the pain again. Amazing how the mind-body connection works!

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:16:14 +0000

I am an adult and I interviewed for the job of a lifetime while I had braces in 2007. I was 27 years old and I got the job. I moved to Washington D.C. and honestly, braces are more attractive than crooked teeth or if you’re jaw is not alligned properly. I should be getting my braces off in about 3 months and while I didn’t have crooked teeth, my teeth were crowded and I had a slight overbite. The difference is amazing. I look a lot different, but in a good way. Braces are also more than cosmetic—tooth decay and gum disease can lead to heart to disease later in life. Orthodontics positions your teeth in a way that makes them easiest to clean. I say go for it!! Good luck.

By: Crissy

Crissy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:37:24 +0000

P.S. Nowadays it’s strange for a jr. high or high school student NOT to have them…and adults with them are more and more common. When I got my current job, another person in my department had them. You probably won’t be the only one.

By: Crissy

Crissy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:35:46 +0000

NO! it will not hurt your chances for getting a job! In fact, down the road it will help you! The first thing people notice about you is your smile, and if you’re self conscious about crooked teeth, it’ll show. I’ve had braces 3 times (trying to help TMJ problems). I tried the clear ones, they popped off a lot and I had to make more trips in..also, they were more expensive. Wear them proudly, and don’t be afraid to show them off! when you get them off, show off your new beautiful smile! They will start to straighten out pretty quickly, and in the end, they will look awesome and you’ll smile a lot more. I first had them when I was in my late 20’s, and then twice in my mid 30’s. The only place I ever had anyone even give them a second look was when I was in Italy, because not as many people in Europe wear them. I don’t think people in the US really even notice them anymore…

So go ahead! don’t be shy, and don’t worry, you will love it when you are all done :)

By: Pamela Waterman

Pamela Waterman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:51:35 +0000

What a great amount of info going on here! I got a discount (off the $3,500 no-insurance fee) by agreeing to take my appointments between 9 and 3; that freed up the early and late appointments for school-kids. And the recommendation to go to http://www.ArchWired.com is excellent – there’s a wealth of Q&A and it’s targeted to adults in braces. BTW, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, more than one million people over the age of 18 have braces. You can also get soft-food ideas at http://www.braces.org, the AAO website; the section Just for Kids actually has recipes for every age. I went back last year at age 53 for braces, since a gap opened up years after having teen braces (they thought that once your wisdom teeth were removed, you could stop wearing the retainer – wrong!) Now I’ll wear the retainers every night forever – it’s a real no-brainer, and it has stopped my teeth-grinding/TMJ problem. Also, I’m an engineer and meet with a lot of customers and marketing people – no one ever had a negative comment about my metal-bracket braces – it was more a case of people saying, That’s cool you’re doing it.

By: Bankruptcy Pal

Bankruptcy Pal — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:54:46 +0000

In fairness, everyone hated you behind your back b/c you had braces, Cara. Literally, people were all like “Wow that girl Cara is totally friend-worthy. But those braces! Oh man! Not accepting that facebook friend request! Hey let’s go get some Kirby’s!”

By: Latest Oral Surgeons news – Dental Cool: Urgently Seking Oral Surgeon Plan For a Patient: Case …

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:08:37 +0000

[...] Reader mail: Will braces hurt my interviewing chances? [...]

By: L

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:34:14 +0000

I had braces for the first year of evening law school while I was working full-time in the legal department of a mutual fund firm. I never had any issues at school or at work. As some other commenters have said, people would use it to start conversations with me. Oddly enough, the fact that you’re willing to get adult braces shows a certain amount of confidence in yourself and people respect that. The first week will feel like you have a speech impediment, but it gets much easier after that. Bottom line, I am SO happy I went through with the braces.

A couple tips:

1) Make sure you get multiple quotes on braces. The first orthodontist I saw gave me a quote of about $6000 and insisted on putting braces on my bottom teeth as well as the top. I got free consultations and quotes from 3 orthodondists, ended up getting my braces for $2400, and left my bottom teeth alone since they are not really visible and don’t cause any other problems. Don’t be afraid to try and negotiate the price. Ask for a 5% discount for paying upfront (cash or credit card) instead of in installments. Ask for a family and friends discount if you were recommended by friends or family. If you work, set up an HSA (Health Savings Account) and use that to fund your braces so that the money is tax-free.

2) Get ceramic braces. They should cost the same as regular metal braces and are less eye-catching. If they are listed as more expensive, the orthodontist is trying to rip you off. Do NOT get the clear or white rubber bands on your teeth. Ask for white, Teflon-coated wire (they wrap it around the bracket where the rubber band would go). It functions exactly the same but will not stain yellow.

3) Do not eat sandwiches, burgers, tacos, or anything you have to bite into. Use a knife and fork to cut it up if you have to. No one will care about your braces — unless they’re grossed out by all the food stuck in your teeth.

4) Keep wearing your retainer once you get them off… The whole reason I had to get braces again was because I stopped wearing my retainer back in high school and my teeth gradually slid back. I’ve been wearing my retainer every night for the past 2 years and I can tell my teeth start to slide back if I even miss one night. Note that teeth movement will also be even more problematic if you grind or clench your teeth at night. I do it and it’s a VERY common problem for attorneys.