Braces and recruitment?
 

I know that to some of you this may sound silly, but do you think having braces could affect the way girls view me during recruitment?

Also, I'm having to wear orthodontic rubber bands, which means that I don't open my mouth like most people do when they speak because the elastics pull my teeth together. Will people think this is weird?

Lastly, because I do have to wear the rubber bands and can't eat without taking them off, should I just politely decline any snacks I am offered during the parties or do you think I should also explain that I am wearing rubber bands to whoever I'm talking to so they know I have a good reason?

Obviously, people are going to remember you as the girl with the braces. How they choose to interpret your braces is really up to them and how you conduct yourself.

If you're going to be self conscious about that, is it possible for you to have the rubber bands removed VERY temporarily? Young actors have their braces removed for movie roles and then put back on. I'm not advocating you remove your braces, but perhaps you could remove the bands during the recruitment parties if you think it will make you feel more confident. Consult your orthodonist, but I think going band-less for a couple hours over the course of your braces-wearing tenure is not going to destroy your progress. (personal experience from a former brace face)

Most people have braces in middle/high school, but there are certainly people who get them in college or later in life. One of my best friends is a VP of marketing for a large Fortune 500 and he got braces in his late 30s. He successfully interviewed while he had the braces. So it all comes down to your attitude.

Yes, this sounds very superficial, but you asked an honest question and that's my honest answer.

ETA: If you keep the bands in and someone offers you food, you can decline politely and explain briefly about the bands. Or you can accept, hold the snack, and then don't eat it. Do what is going to make you feel the most comfortable.

Because the rubber bands probably are changed by you every night, I would elect to not wear them during the parties. (and not because of the rubber bands themselves, but because of the situation with food) Of course you should get permission from your orthodontist before you do this. The braces...I would not take them off...way too much effort for too little gain. Confidence is not hidden by braces, glasses or cast on your body. It is hidden by self doubt and lack of self esteem.

You do not have to give any reason for declining food/drink. Lots of PNM's do it for many, many reasons -- nervous stomach, ate at the last house, afraid of spilling something...I think I noted in my own recruitment story that I ate a ton at prefs at the house I liked the least so I could skip the food at the other two.

Thanks for the input, ladies. I'm not really self-concious about the braces. This is my second time having them since I began my orthodontic journey roughly six years ago (I had really, really messed up teeth), so I've had plenty of time to get comfortable with them. My main concern, really, is the rubber bands.

I think I am going to leave the rubber bands in during the first and second days of recruitment because I will be spending most of the day at parties. During the shorter days, though, I think I can afford to go without rubber bands. I'll also put the rubber bands on if I have any open parties.

My bigger concern would be about the ability, or inability, to fully open your mouth and talk effectively. Those parties - especially open round - are LOUD! You have to really enunciate and be able to emote through your facial expressions (smile big, talk with enthusiasm). If you are not able to move your mouth with much freedom, I would skip braces during the parties and put them on as soon as parties are over, sleep in them, etc.

You know... on second thought... I think I'm just going to go band-less during the whole process. I'm thinking that wearing them will just be way too much of a problem, and I've gone extended periods of time without wearing them before. I should be okay during recruitment especially considering how adamant I usually am about having them in. I'll just wear them all day before the parties and all night afterward.

Thanks again, everyone!

good luck!

A good decision! Good luck! Let us know how things go with you.

This should go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway. Take special care that your teeth are pristinely clean. While the braces can be memorable in a good, neutral or bad way, there is only one way your lunch in them will. Maybe carrying a travel size mouth-wash to rinse out your mouth between parties would be something to consider? Not too alcoholy, you don't want to smell like you've been pounding booze between parties ;)

I didn't even think about mouthwash. Thanks for the tip! I know I'm going to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste so I can brush my teeth after lunch breaks, and I'll be sure to bring mouthwash, too. Thanks again! :)

And thanks for the well wishes, ladies! I plan on posting my recruitment story once the time comes.