Caught this article about more adults getting braces and how it’s affecting their work life—like, people actually worrying about presentations or even just chatting with coworkers. Kinda hit home since I’ve been debating Invisalign vs. traditional braces myself. Anyone else feel weird about showing up to meetings with a mouth full of metal? Or is it just one of those things you get used to and nobody really cares?
Honestly, I went full metal in my 30s and felt like a teen all over again. First week at work, I was sure everyone was staring... but after a while, nobody really seemed to care (except for the one coworker who called me “Jaws” for a month). Presentations were awkward at first, but you get used to it. If you can handle soup and soft foods for lunch, you’re golden. Invisalign sounds tempting, but I’m terrible at remembering to put things back in my mouth—so metal won by default.
I relate to the soup struggle—my go-to was mashed potatoes for weeks. I actually tried Invisalign first, but kept losing the trays (once in a restaurant napkin... never saw it again). Metal felt like less hassle, even if it’s not exactly subtle. Presenting with a lisp was rough, but people stopped noticing pretty fast. Funny how self-conscious we get about teeth, yet most folks are just worried about their own lunch.