Perfect teeth are something few people just naturally have. The battle to acquire perfect teeth, however, is something many of us have contended with. And the mechanism in this battle is something so many of us are familiar with. They are called braces and – yes – we are brace faces.

The whole experience of having braces can last two years or more. Just think of it: wires in and over your teeth. It’s a temporary struggle and those who have braces just have to deal with them. Of course there’s always that yearning for the day to see them come off. You imagine finally being able to smile and embrace each and every compliment you receive about your perfect teeth. Those of you with perfect teeth, you have no idea what it truly feels like to be a brace face.

“I got my braces on about a month ago and when I first got them my mouth was in so much pain,” said sophomore Madison McBride. “I was really hungry but sadly I couldn’t even open my mouth to eat.”

From personal experience, the very first time the braces go in, your teeth ache and it feels like they’re going to fall out. If you’re about the get braces, here’s some sound advice: take some pain-killers beforehand. And here’s some good news: There’s a clear dietary advantage associated with getting braces. When they first come on, it’s all but recommended that you eat ice cream or drink a smoothie. Sometimes pleasure can come with pain.

In addition, there are also rules that come with having braces. There are limitations on the food you can eat. Hard or chewy candies are a no-no, as are certain kinds of fruits and nuts. You also have to be careful about how you brush your teeth, making sure you have a soft bristle brush. It’s also possible to get the brush stuck in one of your brackets, which is always a real hazard in the bathroom. Oh yeah: It’s also highly recommended you brush at least twice a day (although everyone should be doing that). Also one of the few things your dentist will most definitely press on you is to floss your teeth. Not all comply, alas.

“I don’t floss my teeth that much. I usually just use the brush-like-pick to get the food out between my teeth and braces. With braces, flossing can be hard,” said sophomore Summer Epps.

When we consider the trials and travails associated with having bands of metal in our teeth, a terrible process that complicates everything, we just have to consider the end result that will last a lifetime: a dazzling smile.