Many teens and even adults worry about what it will be like to date with braces. Here are some tips and ideas for not letting your braces get in the way of your romantic endeavors!
Own your look!
It's not always easy to feel confident with braces, especially when they’re still fairly new, and you’re just getting used to them. At the end of the day, though, if you want to date successfully with braces, you'll have to embrace them.
Try the following:
- Smiling big, and laughing big (don’t bother trying to hide your braces under your lips, your date is going to notice them anyway, and it'll just look awkward).
- Coloured braces! You’ll have to get your elastics changed regularly anyway, so you may as well choose a colour that you like, or that suits your skin tone or eye colour.
- Bold lipstick (if that’s your thing) that frames your braces, and shows them off. In a way, you can almost think of your braces as an accessory!
Check for debris.
Nothing ruins a romantic meal faster than your date politely pointing out that most of your dinner is stuck in your brackets.
If you’re out for a meal, choose a braces-friendly meal, and be sure to check your braces throughout the evening to make sure you’re in the clear. If you think this sounds too distracting, you may be better off going on non-food related dates until you and your date get to know each other better.
Remember: Your date cares less about your braces than you do.
It's worth keeping in mind that however awkward you feel about your braces, your date isn’t half as concerned about them as you are.
Your date likely knows a few things about braces, even if he or she doesn’t have them. Braces aren’t forever, and that even if they were, they don’t change who you are as a person. If there's a spark, your date won’t really care of you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. And if he or she does… do you really want to date someone like that?
Try a more inconspicuous treatment option.
There are a variety of orthodontic treatment options available for teens and adults that solve many of the social issues relating to traditional braces:
Invisalign clear plastic aligners are almost invisible when worn, and can be removed to eat.
Translucent braces have brackets that are made of a tooth-coloured ceramic material that blends in almost seamlessly with your teeth.
Lingual Braces are placed on the backs of the teeth, facing into the mouth, making them almost completely hidden from sight
In-Ovation System features smaller brackets and no elastics or ties, for a more streamlined look.