By Abbigeal Griggs, Staff Writer
OUCH: Are braces really the best option for anyone?
Braces are a very touchy topic for elementary, middle, and high schoolers, and even adults. It can be hard to smile at people with tiny train tracks on your teeth, especially when you are already not confident with your smile. Given how expensive Invisalign can be, people usually have no choice but to stick with traditional braces.
I would love to say that none of the negative stereotypes about braces are true, but from my own experience, that just isn’t the reality. There is pain and awkwardness involved. From having to remove the food that gets stuck in between brackets to being unable to eat some of your favorite foods, it can become annoying and painful. Despite these downsides of braces, we cannot forget about the best parts of having them. After all, you will only have braces for one slice of your life! The most exciting thing about braces is that you can pick out a variety of colors to match your style and to make your teeth pop! Every six to eight weeks, you have an appointment to change the wires that hold your teeth perfectly straight and change the colors. Getting the braces off is a very relieving feeling because it takes a lot of pressure from your mouth. The process of removing the braces is lengthy and painful, but it is all worth it. Braces may not be the best option for all people, but for those who do get them, there is no better feeling than the day the braces come off—when you give your new smile its first shot.