When people make weird or kinda rude comments about my braces (like “oh, you’re a bit old for those” or “doesn’t that hurt?”), I usually just laugh and change the subject. But sometimes I wonder if it’s better to actually say something, like calmly explain why I got them or just tell them it’s not cool to comment. Which way do you all handle it? Do you just let it slide, or do you stand up for yourself?
When people make weird or kinda rude comments about my braces (like “oh, you’re a bit old for those”...)
I get this all the time. I’m in my 60s and finally got braces after decades of putting it off. Honestly, I usually just mumble something like “better late than never” and try to laugh it off, but sometimes I wish I could be more direct. The thing is, I worry about making it awkward or getting flustered. Once, I tried explaining why I needed them and ended up rambling about jaw pain and insurance for way too long. Not my finest moment. If you feel comfortable, a short, calm answer works—but if not, it’s okay to let it slide. People can be nosy, but it’s your teeth, your business.
I totally get where you're coming from. I started Invisalign at 48 and got a few raised eyebrows too—my sister even joked I was having a midlife crisis. Honestly, sometimes I just shrug it off, but other times I’ll say, “Hey, I want to chew steak when I’m 80.” People usually back off after that. Has anyone ever surprised you with a supportive comment instead? Every once in a while, someone tells me they wish they’d done it too, and that always makes me feel better about the whole thing.
That’s funny—my brother said something similar about a “midlife crisis” when I started clear aligners at 42. Honestly, I was more worried about the price tag than people’s comments. Did you find insurance helped at all, or was it all out of pocket for you?
Insurance barely touched mine—just a small discount, really. Most adults I see end up paying out of pocket. The “midlife crisis” jokes get old, but honestly, I just remind people that healthy teeth matter at any age. No shame in fixing your smile.
