Have you ever had braces/going to get them/currently have them?

I had 3 different kinds of retainers when I was a child. I think was 12 when I had my first retainer, and I had to wear it all the time. I was only allowed to take it out when I ate. It was painful to wear it, and I was really tired of it. After a while I got rid of the first one, and then I got another retainer which I had to wear every night. It kept falling out of my mouth when I slept, so I had to get a different kind of retainer. I don't remember how long I had the third one, it definately seemed like a long time After that my dentist asked me if I wanted to get fixed braces for a while, it was a possibility, but it wasn't really neccesary, so I said no. My parents let me decide, if I wanted to wear to them it was okay, and I didn't want to wear them is was also okay. The result might have been a bit more "perfect" if I had accepted the fixed braces, but I was satisfied with the result as it was, and I have never regretted my decision.

I never had braces though my dentist recommended it. When I talk to my friend about there's, they say it's uncomfortable, hard to talk, and food gets stuck there. I've seen the painful look on her face when she had her braces tighten and it made me want to sign my life savings to my slightly crooked teeth

My parents couldn't afford to get me braces, so I have semi-crooked teeth and I'm 19 years old right now. I actually can't afford to get them right now, either, but I forsee myself getting them in the future - I HAVE to, in my opinion. I'm sort of self conscious about how I smile..So it will definitely help. One of my good friends has braces, though, and chews gum all the time. Does it depend on how long you've had them on, or is she just breaking the rules? Hmmm..

I currently am wearing braces and I am 25 already. It's painful every time it has to be adjusted for the teeth to move. I could not eat very well for five days.