What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Aligners

A gap between my two front teeth had always been a distinctive feature of my smile while growing up. I was one of those kids who begged my mom to let me get braces. After weeks of convincing her to let me visit dentists to discuss my smile, I learned that I had an overbite. I then got braces right before starting my first year of high school—just in time to fit in with the “cool kids.”

Fast forward to getting my braces off in junior year to starting my first year in college: my retainer didn’t fit correctly, and my teeth began to shift slightly, resulting in the return of my gap. I decided to embrace it, and now have learned to finally appreciate it. 

However, I still felt insecure when taking pictures with friends who had perfectly straight, shiny teeth. Although it often made me self-conscious, I eventually realized that this unique feature set me apart and added character to my appearance. I found that I resembled my mom and Grandma Barbara—both absolutely loving their gaps.

I have always taken care of my teeth, and being self-employed, that also means funding your own health expenses. In other words, any cosmetic procedures I do come out of my own pocket. During the COVID pandemic, I experienced cavities, which requiredrel="tag">aligners beauty trends teeth

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