“I Decided to Take Care of Myself”
Testimonial of Isabelle, 42 years old, mother and new orthodontic patient
For years, Anaïs prioritized her children, work, and daily routine. At 40, she finally made the decision to align her teeth with an orthodontic treatment using lingual braces. She shares her journey, her reasons, and the benefits of this transformation.
Why Did You Wait until You Were 40?
“I didn’t like myself in photos. I smiled with my mouth closed, I did everything to hide my teeth. But I told myself it wasn’t a big deal, that it wasn’t a priority. I had the children, the house, work… And I also thought orthodontics was for teenagers.”
Like many parents, Anaïs forgot about herself. She confides that her dental complexes went back to adolescence, but at “the time, her parents couldn’t afford orthodontic treatment for her. She” had gotten used to living with it.
Why did you take the plunge now?
“When my 13-year-old daughter started her treatment, I accompanied her to every appointment. And one day, I was surprised to find myself envying her. She was going to have a beautiful smile, while I continued to hide. This realization pushed me to request a first appointment to assess my dental situation.”
This moment was the starting point for a real change. After an orthodontic assessment, Anaïs opted for a treatment with lingual braces, placed on the inner side of the teeth, invisible from the outside.
“I knew that clear aligners existed, but I didn’t want to deal with trays to remove, clean, and remember. I’m already busy enough between work and children. I wanted something discreet, but without additional mental load.”
How did the treatment go?
The treatment lasted 20 months. The beginnings weren’t easy, especially the first 2 weeks, with some discomfort and slightly modified speech.
“But you get used to it quickly! My colleagues didn’t even notice I had braces. I kept it to myself at first, and it was a form of freedom. I was making this change for myself, not for others.”
What has this treatment brought her?
“It’s not just about aligned teeth. It’s about posture, confidence. Today, I smile in photos. I stand straighter. I finally accept my face. It’s as if I had finally recovered a part of myself.”
Anaïs also mentions a more intimate aspect:
“I think it’s important that our children also see us taking care of ourselves, not just running around for others. My daughter told me the other day: ‘You’re smiling all the time now’. That touched me.”
Any advice for those who are hesitating?
“There’s no age limit to doing something good for yourself. It’s never too late to love yourself a little more. We also deserve our smile.”
