15 year old want's to remove braces after a few days (need your opinion)?

Question

My 15 year old nephew just got braces. His parents were cool enough to let the choice be his. He finally chose to get them, and after one day he already wants to take them off. They have already spent $1000, and he will only need them for about a year. I want to go a little deeper in to the situation. His parents fight over just about everything. His Mom wants him to keep them, and the Dad said he could take them off. His Mom is my sister, and I am on her side. Not because she's my sister, but it would be crazy to spend $1000, and then let the kid take them off. I feel the dad is saying he can take them off just to p**s off the Mom. What I am looking for is the opinion of other people out there so I can share this information with my nephew, and try to convince him to ride this one out. I'd also like to say I am 44 and was given the choice of getting braces when I was a kid. I chose not to get them. Guess what? My teeth got worse over the years, and now I have braces. I think his parents should hold him to his decision, and do what's best for him in the future. How does the rest of the world feel on this subject. Would you let your kid do this? I plan to share these answers with him and his parents. My gut tells me most people will see it my way. What would you do in this situation. All answers are greatly appreciated, and I really feel your advice can help. Thank you!

Answer 1

This is absolutely absurd to allow a 15 yr. old to decide if he wants to continue his braces or not. What are they raising a man or a wimp? He needs to suck it up and learn what responsibility and commitment is all about. There does not appear to be any reason to baby him. They are bought and paid for, do not allow him to wimp out on the deal. That teaches him nothing.

Answer 2

He should keep them. His parents spent 1000$ on his braces. I got braces three days ago. The pain lasts only a few days. There is no reason for him to get rid of them. His father should not let him decide whether he wants to keep them or not now especially since  a thousand dollars have been paid.

Answer 3

I'm sorry but I think you should butt out,,,it's not your business,,,you'll end up the bad guy if you interfere. the boy has two parents advising him,,,that's enough.

Answer 4

I was given the same choice, and chose not to have a brace. However, my problem is an overlap, which is purely aesthetic, therefore it doesn't cause me any damage. However, if a person makes a decision, they have to stick with it. 'Make your own bed and lie in it' as the saying goes. You need to clearly explain that removing the brace will cause him problems and pain for years to come, not to mention the astronomical amount of money it has cost!

Answer 5

My daughter did the same thing. She was in 6th grade when she got hers on and 8th grade when they came off. Her teeth are SO beautiful now! and it makes HER look that much more beautiful. But on the second day of having her braces, she was in my room just crying and crying and begging me to let her take them off. She is very thankful to this day (in college) that I told her no. And when it came time for her little brother to get them, he was alllll for it! All he has to do is look at his sister and know that everything that he's gone thru will be worth it in the end.

Answer 6

i would say don't be afraid to share your opinion with him. BUT. talk to him nicely and in a cool manner. such that it'll be a more friend to friend thing rather than just another lecture. remember not to scold him when he starts to argue or rebel. show him that ur genuinely concerned

ask him y he wants it off. share wit him abt ur teeth n ask him if he wud like it if he was older n has a bad teeth alignment.

im 21 n i just had my braces on. i felt like taking it off d moment i saw them on d mirror too. but i guess i'll just have to look forward to d time when i have nice teeth n can smile without having to be self conscious. good luck! ;)

Answer 7

It's his first (few) day(s) of wearing the braces, so there's a general discomfort (I'm the same age, and although I had mine when I was 13 and had to wear them for 2 1/2 years), so this could be why he wants them off. If this is the case, simply tell him the pain will diminish in a few days (although it may hurt again whenever he gets his braces tightened).

It could also be concerning his appearance. Wearing "train tracks" as they're commonly called he may see as not very appealing. Tell him however this is not the case, and that there are many teenagers who wear braces too. Plus his teeth will look a LOT better than they do currently with them, so tell him that he can get them off, however his teeth will look not-so-attractive in the future, and that by wearing them his teeth will be much more attractive.

Finally, tell him about your experience. The great thing about sad things, is that they teach us and/or others. If he learns that by not wearing them now, he'll have to wear them for 5-7 years or so WHEN and IF he can afford them in the future, and that his teeth will look horrible without wearing them. Don't just confront his parents, confront him as well (if you can. If he lives elsewhere than you, try a phone. If he lives nearby you, pay him a visit and educate him on your experience).

I'm sure once he learns about yours, he'll be begging to keep them on. ;]

Cheers.

Answer 8

Tell your nephew to keep his brace on its worth it at the end I'm 15 and coming to the end of my treatment now and my teeth look perfect. I got mine free on the NHS but if they have paid $1000 to get them on it would be stupid to take them off. I know you cant eat lots off stuff but id rather have straight teeth than live without my favorite stuff for 2 years.

Answer 9

The kid obviously has not fully learned about long term commitments yet. Braces would be a good way to teach him about that. He needs to be a man and realize that there are some decisions that don't have a reset button. He's gonna have to learn that lesson eventually, and this is probably the easiest way to.

Answer 10

Well Ive been wanting to get braces since i was younger, but i never could because my moms a single mom and cant afford it. So hes very lucky that he can even have the choice. I think that instead of the two parents telling him two different things they should of discussed it before hand so that one parent wouldn't look any less in control. The money has already been spent there is no taking it back. Whats done is done there shouldn't even be an option of taking them off.

Answer 11

I definitely think he ought to keep the braces on. Who's the parent here, the kid or your sister and her husband? Sounds like a power play on the part of the son and the husband is aiding and abetting. Poor Mom is being ambushed. The kid has to learn that there are consequences to his choices. He asked for the braces, wasn't forced to get them, and now he has to live with them for a year. If that's the worst he ever has to live with then he will be a mighty lucky person. Is he a wuss? "They hurt"? Again, if that is the worst pain or discomfort he has to live with he should thank his lucky stars. Grow up kid. Grow up Dad!

Answer 12

At 15, he is likely more concerned with his CURRENT appearance and the fact that he is uncomfortable.  What he needs to unerstand is that the short term suffering is well worth the long term gain.  He is going to care that his teeth are not straight, and then he may well have to deal with this in adulthood.  Straight teeth are also healthier teeth - and bad breath is bad for kissing!  I am a mom of three - and braces are not a choice.  They will have them if they need them, the same way they are required to brush their teeth, go to the doctor, keep their bodies clean, etc.  It simply isn't a choice - it is my responsibility as a parent.

Answer 13

You need to make sure that this kid knows that he has made a commitment. Getting braces is a gift for most people. Also, make sure you tell him that no body really cares about braces unless he cares. Trust me after having them twice,  no body even remembers you have them once they are off. And it may take way less than a year to get them off.

Bottom line: he made a commitment, his parents were kind enough to support it and he needs to stick it out because their is nothing wrong health-wise that he needs to get them out.