Getting your braces off is a big deal – new looks, new smile, new impressions.

The first thing that every kid wants to do when they finally lose the “brace-face” label is show off their smile. Sure, you try and act nonchalant – flashing a grin here and there and some people might not notice, but when they do the blood rushes to your face and you can’t wait to tell the thrilling tale of how grueling, and how gross, and how uncomfortable getting them taken off was.

Throughout the day you repeat the same I’m-trying-not-to-act-conceded-but-I-know-how-hot-I-am face and smile when people tell you over and over again how pretty your teeth are. “Oh thanks” and “Really? You think so?” are just some of the lines I remember saying when going through the experience. 

However, the day goes by and before you know it you’re back in the orthodontist chair, like a kid in the principal’s room waiting to be punished. “Here’s your retainer, wear it every day all the time, don’t slack off or you’ll have to get braces again.” The orthodontists always say it, but at that moment you couldn’t care less about wearing the God-awful retainer that gives you slurred speech and all you want to do is talk about how awesome it feels to have smooth teeth. 

So the next day comes around and you know that even with protest you will have to wear the retainer. It’s not really that bad until you have to talk. It’s clear so everyone can still see your teeth, but it’s not the same – you’re not done with braces after all. You go from “brace-face” to the kid with the slur, but at least you’re one step closer to being done forever.