Braces are no longer the metal nuisance they once were and the social stigma around them may be fading away. Claire Caruana meets a couple in their 20s who both wear braces.

Believing that braces are only effective if worn at a young age, Marica thought it was too late for her to have braces fixed in her early 20s. But she was encouraged by her boyfriend Keith, who was willing to do whatever was necessary to achieve a perfect smile.

“I’ve always admired people with a great smile, although I wasn’t too self-conscious about my teeth. But I had problems with my bite due to spaced teeth. At 14, I had removable braces but I rarely used them,” says Marica.

Seeing many adults getting braces helped her make the decision.

“The idea I might be too old for the teenage brace-face look occurred to me more than once, but I saw a number of friends my age on Facebook getting them and this gave me the push I needed.”

But if it weren’t for Keith, she would probably have never even called for an appointment.

“He just picked up the phone and booked us both a consultation session with a dentist. I would have probably never got round to making the call!” she quips. “Some thought I was silly to be spending such a hefty sum of money on something I could do without. But Keith, who spent just as much as I did, never questioned my decision.”

I believed it to be a painful process but in reality you’re done in an hour and it’s really not too bad

So Marica and Keith, 24, now both have braces. This has proved to be a positive experience for the couple.

“We’re more understanding of each other’s slight discomfort and appreciate the effort the other makes. We’re even able to joke about each other’s brackets because we’re both in the same boat.

Keith is happy to have had the braces now because he made the choice himself rather than have it imposed on him by his parents or a dentist.

“It was easier for me because I made the decision alone. Getting braces when you’re older means it’s a choice you make yourself and not one forced upon you by others.”

Reactions from Marica’s family and friends were very positive, making the experience easier, especially as she adjusted to the change in her appearance.

Marica explains that contrary to popular belief, the pain when getting the braces fixed is not as bad.

“I believed it to be a painful process but in reality you’re ready in an hour and it’s not too bad,” she points out.

Keith admits he’s more tolerant to pain and discomfort today than when he was younger as he understands the benefits more. However, pain lasted only a few days while his mouth adjusted to the braces. The only thing he found difficult was to maintain the proper oral hygiene.

“I need to brush my teeth very often, especially after meals, even if I’m at work or at a restaurant. This can be quite frustrating.”

Brushing is crucial when wearing braces as there is a higher chance of food getting stuck between brackets. This could damage the teeth as well as the brace itself.

For Marica, the restriction on what food to eat has been a struggle. When wearing braces, one should mostly consume moderately soft foods. Eating gum, nuts or nougat is not advisable. The same can be said for toasted or crusty Maltese bread. Food has to be eaten carefully and sometimes broken into small pieces rather than bitten into.

“This is quite a challenge but I’m slowly getting used to it.”

Despite the slight nuisances, Keith recommends getting braces to anyone who needs them, irrelevant of age. He also stresses the importance of good communication with the dentist.

“Anyone who is thinking about getting braces should do away with any inhibitions and get them done. It is very important to have a good talk with the dentist to clear up any misconceptions. Being prepared really helped.”

The couple is eager to have the braces off in a couple of months’ time to see their new look.

“I’m hoping for an overall improvement in my oral health and, of course, a great smile!”says an enthusiastic Keith.