That self-conscious feeling doesn’t always just “fade” for everyone, honestly. I’ve seen plenty of adults who still feel awkward talking with braces, even months in. Sometimes it helps to practice reading aloud at home—sounds silly, but it can speed up the adjustment. Eating gets easier, but I’d say don’t expect it to be totally effortless for a while.
I’ve seen a lot of adults who really struggle with feeling self-conscious, especially at work or in social settings. Practicing speaking does help some folks, but honestly, not everyone gets used to the feeling right away. I remember one patient who said she still felt awkward smiling months in, but slowly got more comfortable as her speech improved and her friends stopped noticing. Eating definitely takes some trial and error—sticky foods are a nightmare at first. It’s not always a quick adjustment, but most people do find their own rhythm over time.
Totally get this. The first few months with braces as an adult are just... awkward. Smiling feels weird, talking feels off, and don’t even get me started on spinach getting stuck everywhere. But after a while, you kinda forget they’re there (until popcorn rears its ugly head). It’s way more normal to feel self-conscious than anyone admits. Hang in there—the weirdness really does fade once you settle into the routine.
- Totally relate on the spinach thing... I swear leafy greens are my nemesis now.
- First month was rough, yeah. Felt like I was lisping every word.
- After a while, honestly, I stopped noticing them unless I was eating something tricky.
- Still hate giving presentations with braces, but it’s manageable.
- Worth it for the end result, but yeah, the self-consciousness is real at first. It gets easier.
Honestly, I still notice them all the time, even after months. Maybe I’m just hyper-aware, but I swear every time I talk or eat, I’m thinking about the braces. Presentations are the worst, yeah, but even just chatting with friends feels weird sometimes. Maybe it gets easier for some people, but for me, it’s a constant reminder. Still doing it for the end result though... just wish I could forget about them like some of you seem to!
