For some people (especially kids) it can be difficult to feel like you “fit in” when you wear braces. Sporting metal wires and brackets can convince you that you stand out, and while that can be a good thing for some, that attention isn’t always welcome for others. If you or your child are feeling a little insecure about your new equipment, it may help you to know that you’re not alone. In fact, at any given time an estimated 4 million people are wearing braces in America, and there’s even some pretty cool media representations, too.
In that spirit, here are five pop-culture characters that rock wires and brackets and make it look fun!
Darla Sherman from Finding Nemo
Though she wasn’t on screen for long, Darla Sherman leaves quite an impression on viewers in Finding Nemo. The niece of the dentist who catches the titular clownfish while scuba diving, Darla shows up at her uncle’s office sporting braces and headgear, and taps on Nemo’s tank, scaring him and annoying his roommates.
Sharon Spitz from Braceface
Braceface was a cartoon series that ran from 2001 to 2004. It followed a young girl with magnetically charged braces that gave her superpowers. While unfortunately your own braces will never have magical abilities, they will eventually give you a beautiful smile, and that’s a pretty cool superpower if you think about it!
Murray from Clueless
Millennial moms and dads will probably remember Murray, the playful boyfriend of Deon from Clueless. In addition to having a great personality, a lot of confidence, and an amazing fashion sense for the time, Murray also had a full mouth of dazzling metal braces.
Though it’s an “older” movie, Clueless is a teen classic with themes that kids today can still relate to, and Murray is a great role model for teens who may be afraid that you can’t wear braces and still be cool.
Mike Wazowski from Monster’s University
Many kids already know and love Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal), the neurotic green cyclops monster from the Monster’s Inc. movies. In the prequel to the original, Mike rocks a retainer at night, which serves as a helpful reminder to kids that when it comes to orthodontic treatment, aftercare is an extremely important way to maintain your results.
Lisa Simpson from The Simpsons
In a classic episode of this beloved animated series, Lisa needs braces, but Homer’s dental insurance is about to be cancelled by the shady Mr. Burns. Rather than take that lying down, Homer forms a union with his power plant coworkers and saves their hard-earned benefits.
Remember, it’s important for your child to feel like they fit in with their peers, but sometimes standing out due to orthodontic equipment can make them feel the opposite. If they’re feeling like an outsider due to their braces, introduce them to some of these cool characters who have plenty of personality regardless of the current state of their smiles!
About Our Practice
At Serenity Orthodontics, we offer a variety of orthodontic treatments, from clear aligners to traditional wire and bracket braces. If you’d like to improve your smile or the smile of your child, braces are a safe, effective, and yes, cool way to achieve your goals!
To schedule an appointment with one of our talented and caring orthodontists, please visit our website, or call us today at 470-589-4475.