Beauty perception

I have always yearned for braces since I turned 12. Every time I would smile, people would narrow their eyes and comment, “There’s too much light.”

When my friends were upset with me, they would remark, “If I hit you hard on your face, your teeth would align perfectly.”

If our viewpoints clashed, they would simply say, “You and your silly donkey teeth.”

These experiences severely shattered my confidence, prompting me to hide my smile behind closed lips.

Each day, I would plead with my parents to let me get braces, but their fear of tooth extraction held them back. They would reassure me, saying, “Just gain a little weight, and everything will be fine.”

But finally, after seven long years, I was granted the opportunity to wear braces.

As I sat in the dentist’s chair, my eyes filled with joy.

Then the dentist posed the question that had been on their mind:

“Why do you want to get braces?”

Without hesitation, I replied,

“I want to have a beautiful smile.”

The doctor, with genuine warmth, continued with the following words:

“Indeed, you already possess the brightest smile I could ever ask for. Your eyes radiate love, and your smile is pure.”

At this, I interjected,

“But everyone claims it is ugly.”

The wise doctor replied,

“Do you truly know how your smile looks? Just because someone finds it unattractive does not mean it truly is.”

Subsequently, I underwent a tooth extraction.

Amidst the pain, I had an epiphany: it was the opinions of others that had convinced me I lacked a captivating smile. I had wearily imposed their judgments upon myself.

In hindsight, my journey with braces taught me invaluable lessons. I realized that seeking validation from others can be a trap, as beauty is subjective and personal. Embracing my own uniqueness and disregarding the judgments of others has allowed me to reclaim my confidence and truly appreciate my smile. It’s not about conforming to societal standards, but rather finding self-acceptance and embracing the beauty that comes from within. With my newfound understanding, I encourage everyone to embrace their individuality and shine brightly, despite the opinions that may try to dim our light. Let us remember that our smiles are uniquely ours, and they hold the power to radiate joy, no matter what others may say.