Braces Etiquette - People Who Wear Dental Braces

People who wear dental braces are a significant section of the population, and chances are that you know of someone in your circle of friends, your neighborhood or your family who wears these orthodontic appliances.  People who have been fortunate enough to be blessed with a perfect bite, and therefore don't need to wear braces, find the prospect of walking around with this metal contraption on your teeth quite fascinating, and can have many questions to ask braces wearers.  Remember however, that because a person is wearing braces doesn't mean that he or she is ready to discuss them with you in detail.   Similarly, people who wear braces must also be mindful of social etiquette when they are in company.
The following are a few rules of etiquette for people who wear braces, as well as those around them.

• It's OK to ask a friend or colleague about her braces, as long as the questions are not detailed, or intrusive.  For instance, asking her when she got them, how long she is supposed to wear them and what exactly was the problem with her teeth, is fine.  Asking her, in a fit of giggles, how she will ever manage to kiss, or if yucky foodstuffs will now begin to stick to the braces, is simply offensive.  
• Please keep in mind that people who wear braces have just begun to get used to these, and may not have all the answers for you yet.    
• Also, refrain from telling your friend who's wearing braces that she is not supposed to eat certain foods.  That’s similar to telling an overweight person that she is not supposed to eat desserts because they add on the pounds.  If you see a friend biting into a caramel toffee or opening a bag of pretzels, keep your good intentions to yourself.  Chances are your friend is well aware of the dangers of eating these, but wants to risk it anyway.  She may not take kindly to your advice.
• Under no circumstances must you comment rudely about your friend's braces.  Any remarks about the way her braces resemble train tracks must be avoided at all costs.

For those who wear braces, the rules of etiquette involve taking care not to make others around you feel uncomfortable with your braces.

• For instance, when you’re in company at a restaurant, and intend to remove your retainer or any other removable appliance that you may be wearing, remember to remove these before you seat yourself at the table.  
• These appliances must be removed in private, and placed in their own containers, away from the view of others.  Dinner time is not a good time to show off the intricacies of your braces to your friends.
• The biggest challenge facing people wearing braces is cleaning their teeth after a meal when they are in public.  Never dig between the wires at the table with a toothpick.  It's unbearably offensive.  
• You may use your tongue to dislodge any stubborn pieces of food debris that have become stuck in the wires, but if you must clean with a  tooth pick, walk away from your table, and do the deed  in private.
• Above all, remember that any embarrassment you feel over your braces can eventually pass on to those around you. Keep talking about your braces and how ugly they make you feel, and you might annoy others who just don’t get it.  Behave as you do normally, pay no extra attention to your braces while with friends, and you'll make everyone around you comfortable.