Daughter wants braces and says everyone gets them (help a foreigner in Ireland!)

Foreigndad · 04-02-2021 2:08am #1

My daughter (she is now 15) and I moved to Ireland two years ago (I got a job and she came with).

According to her her friends and the girls in her class no matter if they otherwise are into their looks or not either have straight teeth naturally, have braces or used to have braces. And that is the thing in Ireland according to her, girls are expected to have straight teeth and she want hers straight too.

Had a quick chat with a colleague who said braces exploded during the Tiger days...

This is a bit new to me since we are Scandinavians and there it is more like you get braces if you have dental issues, not very common to get them for astetic reasons (if it isn't very bad which it certainly isn't for my daughter).

Is my daughter right here? Is it normal for parents in Ireland to get their kids/(daughters) braces for astetic reasons?

04-02-2021 2:20am

If the dentist says you need them, you get them.

If your teeth aren't straight, you can get them.

Does she realise the grief they come with? I'm betting after having them for a few weeks she will running back to have them removed

Padre_Pio · 04-02-2021 2:25am

Get them now while she's young.

Nothing quite like straight teeth. I regret not wearing my retainer.

poisonated · 04-02-2021 2:51am

I hated my braces. If she doesn’t need them, there’s no good reason to get them.

LegacyUser · 04-02-2021 2:59am

Check in with a dentist - she should be seeing a dentist every few months anyway. If a dentist says braces are needed, they're needed. Otherwise, it's a lot of work (hers and yours) and money (yours) for questionable benefit.

Having said that, my son had real issues, and had to have work done at about 14 to 15. The issues he had were bad enough for his treatment to be available free. It involved a couple of surgical extractions and wearing braces for ages, and it worked. He still wears a retainer.

But one added effect was that it also had a noticeable positive cosmetic effect on him, which in turn lifted his self-confidence and helped him in a lot of ways. Looking back, if his condition had been slightly less serious it would not have been available free and could have cost us several thousand euro to get it done privately. But to be honest - and I hate to admit this - it would have been worth every penny.

Foreigndad · 04-02-2021 3:07am

poisonated wrote: »

I hated my braces. If she doesn’t need them, there’s no good reason to get them.

Home come you got them? Did you need them or did you get them because everyone else did?

Just curious, trying to understand what "people in Ireland" do

Oops! · 04-02-2021 3:09am

People in Ireland these days seem to think it's cool to "act like your American".

04-02-2021 3:25am

I've never heard of anyone getting braces for their children, unless advised by their dentist that there was a need for them.

ozmo · 04-02-2021 3:31am

If the teeth are not straight and they are not happy with it - then yes generally they get them. You wear them for a year or so.

Its very expensive - 3000 to 4000 euros.

You can get if free but the waiting list is several years...

04-02-2021 3:31am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Home come you got them? Did you need them or did you get them because everyone else did?

Just curious, trying to understand what "people in Ireland" do

Something is getting worse, I really am shaking my head right now,

You get them because you need them end of, any situation where a medical professional advises to get braces when they aren't needed, Id consider a charlatan.
It sounds like the advice from the person you replied to, had them for reason of need, that is what braces are for.
Worst case, get her an appointment with an Orthodontist and see what they say, discuss in advance a want for them only if required, not for cosmetic reasons.
Honestly, I'd say anyone should know by looking are they needed or not.
At one point I saw a program, from the US where people were avoiding the perfect look and were going for the natural look.
It's possible some parents have allowed themselves to fall victim to begging for braces or maybe those kids really needed them, your daughter doesn't know what an Orthodontist told those parents/children.

I had train tracks as young teen and they were painful a lot of the time, and when they tightened them up, along with elastic bands you had to wear, and I believe braces are more pleasant now than when I had them, they were not a fashion statement then and they are not intended as a fashion statement now, regardless of what anyone says, they may appear less intrusive and a more pleasant look, but thats all, because it used to be a thing were they were the opposite of fashionable, to limit the slagging, Id say they fancied them up and maybe have made them more discreet. Like all fashions, they fall out of favour, if she has metal bases glued onto her teeth, and metal wire, she wouldnt have a choice but to stick to it, but if its anything temporary my bet is they wont stick it out. I had mine because my mother knew my teeth were bad and I'm glad I got them, because of need.

If you have a good few thousand to throw away, by all means, otherwise grow a pair and tell her to cop on if it is obvious she doesn't need them, tell her to pay for it in a few years when she can do so herself, you can get braces at any age.
I doubt very much anyone that doesn't need them will be getting them for free, but by the time comes around from a waiting list, she will probably have changed her mind or come to her senses, because she will not get them for fashionable purposes that way.

wotzgoingon · 04-02-2021 3:33am

I don't have straight teeth and it never bothered me but I'm a male getting on into his late 30's but it never bothered me that I didn't have straight teeth as a teenager but I viewed braces totally different than your daughter does. Geeks or nerds wore bracers was my opinion of them. I left school early and worked on building sites for years just to give a reference of the type of teenager I was.

Caranica · 04-02-2021 3:50am

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Get them now while she's young.

Nothing quite like straight teeth. I regret not wearing my retainer.

My dentist said the exact opposite. Your jaw keeps growing until you're 30.

One of my best friends had braces as a teen and had to get them again in her 30s, yes she probably didn't wear her retainer as much as she should have but she definitely needed them again.

ozmo · 04-02-2021 3:50am

1874 wrote: »

Something is getting worse, I really am shaking my head right now,

You get them because you need them end of, any situation where a medical professional advises to get braces when they aren't needed, Id consider a charlatan.

I think some may be reading the ops email wrong? He is not saying she has straight teeth and wants braces - hes saying they dont look too bad - but she would like the ascetics of perfectly straight teeth (not the ascetics of having braces!). But yes - doctor should make the call.

"not very common to get them for astetic reasons (if it isn't very bad which it certainly isn't for my daughter)."

ozmo · 04-02-2021 3:53am

Oh - there is a new version out now I heard some getting - its more like a transparent gum shield - they send you a new, slightly smaller, one every few weeks.
Its even more expensive, but supposedly more comfortable and not as visible.

Shelli2 · 04-02-2021 3:55am

I had mildly crooked teeth, but it bothered me and I rarely smiled until I got them fixed when I was 28.
However, I am glad I waited because if I got them young when my wisdom teeth came in I would have had to get them again anyway.

They are expensive, and painful and bloody awful to wear for the few years you have them, but definitely worth it in my opinion.
But wait until wisdom teeth settle, usually early twenties.

pwurple · 04-02-2021 4:31am

It depends where you live and what her peer group is.

There is a fashion in certain groups for teeth that look like dentures or veneers. To the extent that they look for infills in the gaps between teeth. My cousins have had that done. That is definitely something some irish people do at the moment.

In my humble opinion it is something they will regret. (Remember the trend to laser off your eyebrows and tattoo on a thin line ?)

Outside that trend, no, it's not usual.

The children I know with braces have something like a crossbite or significant issue that needs to be corrected.

lomb · 04-02-2021 4:43am

I'm a dentist (20y) my brother does braces I fix teeth. There is no medical need for braces. They are purely cosmetic. Its true that teeth move easier when your younger as the bone is softer so would be less painful and easier to fix in teens if desired. Young people are also more flexible mentally and can accept the work needed to wear them eaier.When I was young 25 years ago no one got braces as no one could afford them. It was around 10 grand in today's money. I actually needed them as did my brother for perfection and we never got them due to cost. I or my brother could get them today for free or cheap (Invisalign etc)and neither bother. If I was a parent today personally I wouldn't bother unless they were bad( judged by the average reasonable person) at age 14+. It takes that long for things to shake out. Good luck.

04-02-2021 4:46am

ozmo wrote: »

Oh - there is a new version out now I heard some getting - its more like a transparent gum shield - they send you a new, slightly smaller, one every few weeks.
Its even more expensive, but supposedly more comfortable and not as visible.

What it sounds to me like, is the OPs daughter may not have perfect teeth that rarely exist naturally, it doesnt sound like she need braces, she wants them as a fashion statement, from what Ive read here.
Only an Orthodontist can give professional advice I believe, but it does not sound like the OPs daughter wants an item that is discreet, they want it to be noticeable, probably not as much as permanent bases and wire, so something that you can take in and out, there are wire type retainers I believe.
imo anything temporary that relies on the person committing to putting them on and wearing them, because there may still be some discomfort, when its not absolutely necessary, runs the risk of them losing interest.
Its not a wishy washy thing, you need to stick with it, so either it is genuinely needed or it is not.

If the daughter had a tooth or teeth out of place and said she was genuinely embarrassed, I'd definitely consider it, but with advice from a professional, even if thats the case, it may be worth waiting.
From what I read here, it boils down to her friends are getting them, so she wants them.

04-02-2021 4:56am

lomb wrote: »

I'm a dentist (20y) my brother does braces I fix teeth. There is no medical need for braces. They are purely cosmetic. Its true that teeth move easier when your younger as the bone is softer so would be less painful and easier to fix in teens if desired. Young people are also more flexible mentally and can accept the work needed to wear them eaier.When I was young 25 years ago no one got braces as no one could afford them. It was around 10 grand in today's money. I actually needed them as did my brother for perfection and we never got them due to cost. If I was a parent today personally I wouldn't bother unless they were bad( judged by the average reasonable person) at age 14+. It takes that long for things to shake out. Good luck.

As you are saying you are dentist, thats some post, astonishing, 25 years ago was 1995 ish, I dont think what you are saying is correct, I was wearing my braces in 1990, I was years waiting on a list to get them, my teeth were crushed up and while you say it's not a medical necessity, it is not entirely, the position of peoples teeth can affect a lot of things. I was not the only person with braces, but they were rare

Thankfully my mother who isnt a dentist knew more than to let a dentist take out my canine teeth to straighten up some serious overcrowding, which The Orthodontists I visited in the dental school were appalled at.
You might be best to leave the advice to an Orthodontist as it sounds like you are a bit clueless for a professional, you are giving very bad advice. Better let your brother do that maybe?

It is very painful and it depends on the situation, case by case Id say.
I dont think you can say a child is more mentally prepared for them or not, thats like saying an adult isnt and Id say it is more than cosmetic when you have real problems, so they are not entirely purely cosmetic.

lomb · 04-02-2021 5:15am

Sorry my times are wrong . So I was a teen in 1990. The price then is the price now maybe a little less then and a house then was 40 grand and the same house now is 300 grand. Look it's like a Picasso or Monet. Its an art. There are books that could fill your house written on it, it doesn't mean you have to do it just like Monet didn't have to paint and you dont have to buy a Monet if you don't want to or can't afford to. You can do it if you like its not essential. Its a nice gift to give a child if they need them something to remember you by in years to come. That's all I can say.
Incidentally I certainly am not clueless I've treated 15000 patients over 20 years and seen it all. This isn't open heart surgery or cancer treatment. There isn't any medical reason for braces and that's the conclusion even if you read the 10000 textbooks and hundreds of thousands of research articles or whatever written on it.
There is a medical reason to remove infected teeth or wisdom teeth ie you could die etc. Braces can help relieve crowding allowing lower wisdoms to come up safely in some cases. This avoids needing to remove them which if it goes wrong can leave a numb lip or tongue saving a say .5% risk.

04-02-2021 5:27am

lomb wrote: »

Sorry my times are wrong . So I was a teen in 1990. Look it's like a Picasso or Monet. Its an art. There are books that could fill your house written on it, it doesn't mean you have to do it just like Monet didn't have to paint. You can do it if you like its not essential. Its a nice gift to give a child if they need them something to remember you by in years to come. That's all I can say.
Incidentally I certainly am not clueless I've treated 15000 patients over 20 years and seen it all. This isn't open heart surgery or cancer treatment. There isn't any medical reason for braces and that's the conclusion even if you read the 10000 textbooks and hundreds of thousands of research articles or whatever written on it.
There is a medical reason to remove infected teeth or wisdom teeth ie you could die etc. Braces can help relieve crowding allowing lower wisdoms to come up safely in some cases. This avoids needing to remove them which if it goes wrong can leave a numb lip or tongue saving a say .5% risk.

I think that previous post was poor advice, it probably sounds harsh, I just cant be sure if you are a dentist, anyone could say anything here, Im not saying you arent, but I could say Im an astronaut, anyway Im not disputing your qualifications and Im sure youve treated many a patient well, and its great to know its what you say it is, Im trying to steer my son to be a dentist, but he insisting on being an architect, but he's only 8, so I have time. I think there are times it is necessary and it may not be a medical thing for reasons other than it might cause an infection and death, but I also know someone that got teeth done as an adult and there were issues of pain.
In the case of the OP, it sounds like his daughter wants them for a fashion statement from everything said, I suggest they see an Orthodontist.

lomb · 04-02-2021 5:47am

I applaud you for wanting your child to be a dentist. Its a great career and if you do it it will be a more interesting path than most probably any other but I stand by what I say. Orthodontics is an art, dentistry is a medical need. Tooth decay and gum disease leads to infection which can lead to illness and death . Good luck with your kid I hope they grow up to do what they love so no day ever feels like work.

Foreigndad · 04-02-2021 9:59am

Thanks for all the replies! From what most people describes the rationale for braces here and home seems the same.

Only thing confusing is A: What my daughter says (she's even showed me pictures of girls in her class on social media) and B: I see a lot more teenagers with braces here than home which makes me feel like it is a lot more common here...

She insists it is because she wants the outcome both for looks and for better oral health in the future but that since everyone has them now it is a good time instead of having them in college or as an adult.

Will give it a thought, not sure I should pay for it just because she says everyone else has them. On the other hand I don't want to be the one that kept her with crooked teeth either (in my opinion her teeth are nice though!).

KaneToad · 04-02-2021 10:11am

It's purely a fashion/trend thing. If you were living elsewhere, it would be a different trend:

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/stories-44364278

weldoninhio · 04-02-2021 10:17am

lomb wrote: »

I'm a dentist (20y) my brother does braces I fix teeth. There is no medical need for braces. They are purely cosmetic. Its true that teeth move easier when your younger as the bone is softer so would be less painful and easier to fix in teens if desired. Young people are also more flexible mentally and can accept the work needed to wear them eaier.When I was young 25 years ago no one got braces as no one could afford them. It was around 10 grand in today's money. I actually needed them as did my brother for perfection and we never got them due to cost. I or my brother could get them today for free or cheap (Invisalign etc)and neither bother. If I was a parent today personally I wouldn't bother unless they were bad( judged by the average reasonable person) at age 14+. It takes that long for things to shake out. Good luck.

25 years ago, I got braces on the medical card. My pallette is too small for all of my teeth, so I had a tooth growing out of the roof of my mouth and another growing over two other teeth. Once they were removed, I needed braces to realign my other teeth.

virginmediapls · 04-02-2021 10:20am

Deleted User wrote: »

I've never heard of anyone getting braces for their children, unless advised by their dentist that there was a need for them.

You havent spoke to many people in the last 20yrs then.

virginmediapls · 04-02-2021 10:22am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! From what most people describes the rationale for braces here and home seems the same.

Only thing confusing is A: What my daughter says (she's even showed me pictures of girls in her class on social media) and B: I see a lot more teenagers with braces here than home which makes me feel like it is a lot more common here...

She insists it is because she wants the outcome both for looks and for better oral health in the future but that since everyone has them now it is a good time instead of having them in college or as an adult.

Will give it a thought, not sure I should pay for it just because she says everyone else has them. On the other hand I don't want to be the one that kept her with crooked teeth either (in my opinion her teeth are nice though!).

The majority of Irish kids these days tend to get braces. Boards.ie tends to lean towards people who are older than 50 or 60 and fairly out of touch when it comes to more recent phenomena. Boards.ie also has a weird obsession with "not being American" which can be seen in this thread, where people actually think that getting straight teeth is "trying to become more American".

Give it some thought and decide what's best for you and your family, only you can decide that - but pay no attention to the people on here when it comes to issues like this.

Padre_Pio · 04-02-2021 10:26am

Oops! wrote: »

People in Ireland these days seem to think it's cool to "act like your American".

I got braces for cosmetic reasons when I was 15.
My brother got the same.
That was nearly 20 years ago.

Both of us had fairly crooked teeth. Mine have gone back slightly, because I was an idiot and didn't wear my retainer
Bro's teeth are perfect.

Hate to say it, but we live in a very superficial time. Better looking people have easier lives.
Your teeth are the most prominent feature on your face and you have control over how they look.

Totally up to you, but if I had kids and they had crooked teeth, I'd get them fixed while they were in their teens. Get it out of the way.

Treppen · 04-02-2021 10:31am

Caranica wrote: »

My dentist said the exact opposite. Your jaw keeps growing until you're 30.

One of my best friends had braces as a teen and had to get them again in her 30s, yes she probably didn't wear her retainer as much as she should have but she definitely needed them again.

I wore braces for 5 years in my teens. Still crooked as **** on the bottom, but straight on the top, although with the overcrowding on the bottom I don't think braces would have worked anyway.

A friend with the exact same kind of teeth and overcrowding issue as me didn't bother when she was young but got them done in her 30s had it fixed perfectly.

So ya maybe wait till your older.

Also it might depend on your job, if you're all about meeting business clients and putting on appearances then yes, the friend mentioned above probably had to do it. If you're on the building site and hammering away yourself then probably not.

LegacyUser · 04-02-2021 10:31am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Will give it a thought, not sure I should pay for it just because she says everyone else has them. On the other hand I don't want to be the one that kept her with crooked teeth either (in my opinion her teeth are nice though!).

From a psychological point of view, having imperfect teeth can have very serious issues, even if *you* don't think they're that bad.

As a kid, my teeth weren't the worst out there, and the HSE orthodontist said I that braces would be a waste of time as my palate was narrow. I see now 15+ years later that that was an extremely one dimensional point of view, in the interests of crossing another kid off a waiting list.

Some of my peers with similar issues had palate expanders and braces (which might not have been absolutely medically necessary) privately.

Despite being told that my teeth weren't that bad, it caused enough issue for me personally that at 30 I finally made the decision for myself. Leaving it till I'm older had meant three general anesthesic surgeries to correct the shape and position of my upper and lower jaw. This would have been much easier to do as a child.

I'm not trying to guilt you into paying for something that she may not need, but she might, and the person to tell you that is an orthodontist.

Any good orthodontist, who doesn't need your money will first explain that often the best thing to do is nothing if there are no serious problems, but then lay out all the potential options.

Foreigndad · 04-02-2021 10:33am

virginmediapls wrote: »

The majority of Irish kids these days tend to get braces.

Interesting to get your perspective. Would you say that what my daughter describes on an overall level is fairly accurate then (i.e "normal girls" get braces if teeth aren't straight)?

Bicyclette · 04-02-2021 10:36am

I have three kidults in their 20s.

The eldest had and has the most beautiful teeth. She didn't get braces when she was a teenager. Our wonderful dentist at the time told her she had beautiful teeth and didn't need them.

The second had and has a small mouth. A lot of remedial work had to be done including tooth removal and braces. She still wears a retainer. She doesn't have naturally good teeth.

The third has great teeth but awful alignment. His baby teeth didn't fall out and his adult teeth grew in behind them. He has Aspergers and we were told, rightly or wrongly, that this seems to happen more often in people with Aspergers. At one stage he had two rows of teeth and looked like a piranha. Because of sensory issues he had to have all his baby teeth out under GA. He needed braces in his teens but it was only when he hit 20 that he decided he wanted his teeth corrected. He is doing great and there is a huge improvement in his teeth.

Meanwhile the elder lady with the fabulous teeth went to live in Asia. She is now wearing braces - she decided she didn't like the look of her teeth. Hubby and I are still bewildered. But she's old enough to do what she wants. Apparently she always wanted braces as a teen and thinks she should have had them!!

Back in the ancient past, hubby and I both had braces to straighten our teeth. My teeth were very prominent - everyone blamed it on me sucking my thumb. However my wisdom teeth grew out sticking out at an angel and I reassured my mother there was absolutely no way I could have stuck my thumb anywhere near my wisdom teeth!!

ThewhiteJesus · 04-02-2021 10:38am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Interesting to get your perspective. Would you say that what my daughter describes on an overall level is fairly accurate then (i.e "normal girls" get braces if teeth aren't straight)?

I went through this, the dentist did recommend them but they weren't essential.
We got them done, and the dentist did a payment plan which made it alot easier to manage and pay. Was it worth it ? Yes i think it was and i'm delighted we did it for her now. Good luck either way.

Bandana boy · 04-02-2021 11:44am

I (a man) never got braces as a kid as teeth while not perfectly straight were not a real issue

I ended up getting braces in my early 20s as part of my recuperation of a broken jaw.
It is something that was often commented after wards was my great teeth/smile and I am glad I did it and probably would have preferred to do it younger.

My wife never got hers done , her parents could only afford to fix one from her and her sister , and her sisters teeth were in much worse shape
now its one of her big regrets that she never got it done.

I wouldn't bankrupt yourself to fix her teeth but if you can afford it why not give her a better smile , Having a confident smile can have real positive effects for a person.

shesty · 04-02-2021 12:35pm

God, there is no accounting for teens!!20 years ago, braces were the worst thing on the planet and now they all want them...:D:D

I never got braces as a teen (in my late 30s now, so that would have been in the 90s). All my younger siblings got them. Dentist just didn't feel I needed them. The uproar from my siblings though, over having to get them....as time went on though, more and more teens seem to be getting them.

I went and got braces in my early 30s because my jaw had narrowed as I grew older, and all 4 wisdom teeth had come up and I had 2 teeth on the bottom jaw at the front that were completely askew and pressing hard into one another - painfully. From observing my siblings, 2 of 3 have had to return to get braces again in their 20s and 30s despite extensive treatment as teens.They have had a combination of the big metal traintracks as teens, the ceramic white ones (which I had) as adults and also the slimline ones, the plastic-y type that fit over your teeth.

The reality of braces is pain!!!! I hope she knows that! Pain to get them on, pain when they rub your gums and cheeks to bits as your mouth gets used to them, pain after visits to tighten them, pain when wires break loose, and pain getting them off (especially for the white ceramic ones because the cement they use to hold them to your teeth is especially hard and they basically wrench each bracket off with a pliers - my blunt orthodontist suggested taking 2 neurofen or some vodka before my appointment to get mine removed!!!). I still have and will have for life, 2 bars, one behind my upper front teeth, one behind my lower front teeth, to hold the teeth in place, because teeth move quite easily. Also their was a choice in my case exactly what I wanted to fix - just crooked teeth, or also jaw alignment (just the teeth for me, couldn't care less about my jaw alignment).

Bottom line, if you have 4k to spare then sure, go visit an orthodontist. A really good orthodontist will probably tell you yes or no if she needs them. If you want a rough idea start out with a dentist first to see. But honestly, from what I saw in the orthodontist's teens get braces, then inevitably seem to come back for a second round in their 20s when their jaw narrows, so I am bit dubious about putting them on teenagers in the first place, if you are going to have to fork out again for them. But definitely yes, a large number of Irish teenagers these days do get braces, for whatever reason.

Cabaal · 04-02-2021 4:51pm

virginmediapls wrote: »

The majority of Irish kids these days tend to get braces. Boards.ie tends to lean towards people who are older than 50 or 60 and fairly out of touch when it comes to more recent phenomena. Boards.ie also has a weird obsession with "not being American" which can be seen in this thread, where people actually think that getting straight teeth is "trying to become more American".

Give it some thought and decide what's best for you and your family, only you can decide that - but pay no attention to the people on here when it comes to issues like this.

This is hilarious,
Boards is full of 50 or 60 year olds
:rolleyes:

Honestly.

Talking to my neices they say braces are very much a fashion thing, they know of some people that want them just for the look. Nothing to do with requiring them at all.

Bottom line, the decision is a good orthodontist's. don't throw money away if you don't need to

bee06 · 04-02-2021 5:09pm

Similar story here to others, me and my two sisters had braces as teenagers for crooked/overcrowded teeth. I’m the oldest and in my late 30’s. My teeth are still somewhat crooked because I hated wearing them and didn’t follow through with the retainer etc. Both my sisters were the same. It was our dentist who “advised” we needed them rather than us asking. My somewhat crooked teeth don’t bother me but my youngest sister got braces again in her late 20’s because hers were still quite bad.

I know a good few people in their late 20’s and early 30’s who have gotten them and I would say they are more dedicated to following through because they are paying themselves!

Big Bag of Chips · 04-02-2021 5:39pm

"the majority" of kids don't get braces. In my daughter's circle of friends, 2 girls have had braces. Certainly not "the majority".

A teenager telling you "everyone does" or "everyone gets" should be seen for what it is: you're daughter trying to convince you to allow her do/get something that SOME of her friends are doing.

I have 3 teenagers in secondary school. "Everyone" in their classes don't have braces. "The majority" of their friends don't have braces. Maybe 2-3 out of a class of 20+ would have them. If you're concerned about her bring her to a dentist or orthodontist for a consultation. If she needs them because her teeth are very badly crooked and it is affecting her quality of life and self-esteem then that's one thing. If she wants them because "everyone" gets them then tell her she can get them when she has saved up for them.

Foreigndad · 04-02-2021 8:57pm

Thanks all for the different views, seems like it with a lot of things depends on peer groups and the class.

Some seem to think it is common practice while other something unusual and only in special cases.

Only problem is if I take my daughter to an orthodontist that's basically me telling her that I agree to her getting braces in principle but just need to confirm if she is a candidate. Until we moved to Ireland she never thought twice about her teeth. Not sure if it is the culture here or the fact that she is just older and more aware?

On the other hand I can afford braces for her and if it is a life long improvement (even if aesthetically) I don't really think I should stand in the way....

TheBoyConor · 05-02-2021 12:48am

Tell her that she can get them if she wants but unless it is a medical necessity, you won't be paying for or subsidising the experiment. She can have them, but she's gonna have to get a summer job to finance it.
A bit of tough love needed.

And the moment a heard "oh but everyone in my class has them". ROFL. my eyes rolled to the back of my head. Could anything be more teenager. And always a load of bull to convince you to do something they figure you won't approve of - because, even in their head, they know it isn't necessary but they can't help themselves but want to jump on whatever is the latest garbage teen craze.

strandroad · 05-02-2021 1:03am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Thanks all for the different views, seems like it with a lot of things depends on peer groups and the class.

Some seem to think it is common practice while other something unusual and only in special cases.

Only problem is if I take my daughter to an orthodontist that's basically me telling her that I agree to her getting braces in principle but just need to confirm if she is a candidate. Until we moved to Ireland she never thought twice about her teeth. Not sure if it is the culture here or the fact that she is just older and more aware?

On the other hand I can afford braces for her and if it is a life long improvement (even if aesthetically) I don't really think I should stand in the way....

What are her teeth like? Are they simply imperfect, or are they distracting to look at?

If it's the latter I wouldn't disregard a quality of life argument even if there is no medical need. Similarly, ear pinning procedure is quite common for protruding ears, it's definitely not required on medical grounds but simply removes a distraction if it matters to the child.

Agent Avenger · 05-02-2021 1:09am

I got braces when I was about 14/15 for cosmetic reasons, the majority of the girls in my year had braces at some stage also for cosmetic reasons, this would have been in the naughties and we all wanted straight teeth. I think it was about €3000-4000 at the time. Something to think about, I had to get my wisdom teeth removed surgically in my late teens before they came up or they would have ruined all the work done by the braces, the VHI covered it though. I think the cost otherwise would have been about €1200 at the time, probably more now. The braces also require diligent cleaning with interdental brushes, one friend of mine didn’t take enough care with brushing around the braces and ended up with build up of plaque around the braces!

05-02-2021 10:53am

Foreigndad wrote: »

Thanks all for the different views, seems like it with a lot of things depends on peer groups and the class.

Some seem to think it is common practice while other something unusual and only in special cases.

Only problem is if I take my daughter to an orthodontist that's basically me telling her that I agree to her getting braces in principle but just need to confirm if she is a candidate. Until we moved to Ireland she never thought twice about her teeth. Not sure if it is the culture here or the fact that she is just older and more aware?

On the other hand I can afford braces for her and if it is a life long improvement (even if aesthetically) I don't really think I should stand in the way....

You sound like you were looking for people to confirm what you were planning to do imo,if you take your daughter to an orthodontist, you are getting a professional opinion, speak to the Professional beforehand first, its not agreeing to anything and its definitely not the culture here, that sounds like finding a reason why it has come up, maybe peer pressure, but not a cultural thing, you sound like you are acquiescing and were hoping everyone would confirm what you intended to do anyway imo.
Either her teeth are noticeably crooked or not, if so, go see an Orthodontist, if not, maybe see one anyway and talk to them in advance.

Tough love as someone said, because from my experience, the person that has them needs to be invested in it, brushing, cleaning etc, one sure way of that is if she gets a job and pays for it all or part of it, you can be sure when someone sees the outlay and what else they might allocate funds to and following anything required to maintain/care for the item, they may talk a step back, especially if they had to slog for months to earn that money.

Foreigndad · 05-02-2021 10:55am

strandroad wrote: »

What are her teeth like? Are they simply imperfect, or are they distracting to look at?

If it's the latter I wouldn't disregard a quality of life argument even if there is no medical need. Similarly, ear pinning procedure is quite common for protruding ears, it's definitely not required on medical grounds but simply removes a distraction if it matters to the child.

A few teeth aren't fully aligned and one tooth is a bit pointy but from a distance (say in a group photo) you can't see anything. Nothing that in my option would be considered deviating from what is normal.

Foreigndad · 05-02-2021 10:56am

1874 wrote: »

You sound like you were looking for people to confirm what you were planning to do imo,if you take your daughter to an orthodontist, you are getting a professional opinion, speak to the Professional beforehand first, its not agreeing to anything and its definitely not the culture here, that sounds like finding a reason why it has come up, maybe peer pressure, but not a cultural thing, you sound like you are acquiescing and were hoping everyone would confirm what you intended to do anyway imo.
Either her teeth are noticeably crooked or not, if so, go see an Orthodontist, if not, maybe see one anyway and talk to them in advance.

Tough love as someone said, because from my experience, the person that has them needs to be invested in it, brushing, cleaning etc, one sure way of that is if she gets a job and pays for it all or part of it, you can be sure when someone sees the outlay and what else they might allocate funds to and following anything required to maintain/care for the item, they may talk a step back, especially if they had to slog for months to earn that money.

All valid points!

05-02-2021 11:11am

Dymo wrote: »

Doesn't have to be if you get Invisalign, they are relatively painless but you have to me more disciplined putting them in and out and wearing them for the correct amount of time. They are clear and nearly impossible to notice unless looking for them.

Price wise it depends on the case but normally between €3,000 and €4,000

I think the point is, the girls wants them to be somewhat noticeable or I suppose to be noticed she has them

antimatterx · 05-02-2021 11:20am

I got braces as a young teenager, roughly 12 - 3 years, at that time, everyone had them, I don't remember anyone who didn't, and I didn't grow up in a wealthy area. They are expensive. Mine cost my folks 6K, and then they got a discount on my two brothers as a loyalty discount 4K each.

Jafin · 05-02-2021 11:34am

31 year old male chiming in here with my own personal experience. I didn't get braces in school. I went to some state appointed orthodontist when I was called for it in my teens but he said that my teeth weren't bad enough to need braces. My teeth have always bothered me even though they weren't awful looking by any means, but it really did affect my confidence. I would always put my hand in front of my mouth whenever I laughed so nobody would see my teeth. It became a completely subconscious thing that my body would just do automatically. I also hated smiling for pictures and would try to tilt my head to just the right angle so that specific teeth weren't visible in the photo. About two years ago I was finally in a position financially to get them sorted out so I went to an orthodontist and decided to go ahead with Invisalign and it's the best thing I ever did for myself. I'm almost finished my treatment now and I'm extremely happy with the results. That being said it is quite expensive. I think you can get the traditional metal braces free from the state as a teenager, but only if the appointed orthodontist says they're needed.

If you can, try to sit down with your daughter and have a mature conversation about why she wants braces. Try to get beyond the "everyone else has them!" thing and see if there is a deeper reasoning, like if she is really conscious of how her teeth look. It would be better to get it done now than further down the road, if it's something you can afford.

Again, this is all my own personal experience and this isn't necessarily what it's like for everyone or your daughter.

Edit: Invisalign is a lot of work. You have to take them off every time you eat and then brush your teeth, floss, use mouthwash and clean the actual braces before putting them back in. You really have to take care of them, and I worry that a teenager may not have that discipline. If you do decide to get her braces then she might be better off getting the traditional metal ones. That way she can never lose them or accidentally break them to a point that would set her back several weeks like you can with Invisalign.

Moonbeam · 05-02-2021 12:07pm

So I think this depends on where you go to school , I went to private school and yes nearly everyone had braces some for aesthetic reasons and some needed them but only a hand full of my other friends or cousins had them

Milly33 · 06-02-2021 12:20am

I am sure if the dentist said to look into it, then fine but if not maybe try saying to her in a nice way tis just a fad here.. I know my sis is saying tis all the rage in the Netherlands at the moment too even dentist recommended it for her son who has not lost all his baby teeth yet which is just mad..Maybe saying when she is a little older and see if her wisdom teeth come in, if they do and she still wants them perhaps look at the night time retainers..While it is nice to have straight teeth is is also nice to have something natural not looking like everyone else...sad the way the world has become

Neyite · 08-02-2021 1:26pm

My son will need braces. He's only 8 but the way his adult teeth are coming through means that he's already been referred to an orthodontist. It's likely that he won't get them for another 6 or 7 years but the referral appointment will give us more information.

A heap of his cousins on one side of the family are also either queued up to need braces or have had them already. But if teeth are badly crooked it can cause issues beyond aesthetics - such as being harder to clean properly so more prone to cavities /fillings or jaw issues.

If you decide not to get a consult, there's always the option of her getting them when she's older. I know people in their 40s who have braces because they never got them when they were younger, and now have the money and can decide for themselves that they want/need braces rather than being led by the popular crowd. I know someone who got braces to correct a single tooth that grew oddly. They felt it was worth it, could pay for it and has no regrets.

If she's mature enough for braces then she's mature enough to come up with a better reason for dropping €3000-€4000 on what is for her an essentially cosmetic procedure rather than "everyone has them"

Daughter wants braces and says everyone gets them (help a foreigner in Ireland!)

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