In the hours before I got them, I experienced a number of different feelings. I felt nervous, scared and puzzled anticipating what would happen to me.

I was finishing up a math problem that Friday at school, and my teacher received a note telling me to get my things to go home. The dreaded day had arrived! Dum-dee-dum-dum . . . it was time for the trip to the orthodontist! I hurried to the front office, where my dad was signing me out. I rushed him to the car (what was I thinking?), and we sped to the orthodontist's office.

Upon arriving, I noticed that my writing looked a little shaky as I signed the line on the in-list. I shuddered when I realized there was no out-list . . . uh-oh! Too late to turn back now!

Within five minutes, the dental assistant called my name. I glanced at my dad, who followed right behind me, and felt my stomach flip as I approached the chair. The assistant explained to us in detail what would happen to me during the visit. She made it sound so simple. She informed us that the procedure would take about an hour and added that there would be NO PAIN AT ALL!

That definitely got my attention! I felt relieved. The assistant began to clean and polish my teeth using a swirly brush and some gritty gel. Then she coated my teeth with a substance that would clean them further. After swishing and spitting, I was ready for the next step.

My orthodontist entered and showed me the actual pieces of my braces. They looked shiny and very cool. The adhesive, he informed me, would taste like blueberry Warheads, one of my favorite candies! I closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair, and he began applying glue to each tooth. This was the longest part, as I had to wait for about 10 minutes for the glue to set. The glue would hold the brackets that would then be connected by wires.

Then the assistant showed me my rubber band choices. This was my favorite part! She opened a drawer, and there in neat little rows were rubber bands in every imaginable color. My first choice of dark green was discouraged by her advice that it would look like spinach was caught between my teeth. Finally, I decided on two colors: neon green glow-in-the-dark and metallic light green. The orthodontist approved of my choices. My dad just smiled.

Soon the actual braces were installed and I was flabbergasted that I did not feel any pain. Kids at school had told me many horror stories about how much braces hurt, and I was not sure what to expect. It was cake! I felt as if I deserved a T-shirt that read, "I SURVIVED BRACES."

Now, I started worrying about what I'd feel like later when I got home. The assistant threaded the wire into the braces and tightened it and told me I was just about done. After a few adjustments by the orthodontist, I received a packet of information and a Place Smacker Orthodontal Kit. The kit contained two little wire things to clean out the food that gets stuck between the wires, a travel toothbrush, 20 picklike objects for flossing, a three-pack of plaque tablets that you chew to show you where you missed when brushing, and a box with wax to prevent the wires from cutting the inside of my mouth. The assistant said I may get sore after a few hours, from the tension of the wires pulling on my teeth, but I blew this off because I felt great! I was free to go.

On the ride home, I kept the car's overhead mirror down so I could inspect my new gleaming set of wires. I loved them! Or so I thought, until about two hours later.

The pain began with a dull throb, and my entire mouth ached. My mom ran to the store for Advil, applesauce, yogurt, ice cream and any other soft food she could think of. I couldn't chew anything because of the pain. My whole face hurt, and it ached to even talk or move my tongue. The stories I had heard from my schoolmates were right. I hardly slept that night at all.

The next few days I felt better, and even better as time went on, as my teeth and mouth got used to the metal.

Even though a teenager's favorite foods will be on my DO NOT EAT list for a while (crunchy tacos, pizza crust, hard candy), when I think of how I will look when I get the braces off, it all seems worth it. Because my braces were mostly to correct an overbite, I don't have to wear them that long, about six to eight months. Of course, I still have to get the bottom braces on in a few weeks . . . YIKES!

A few nights ago, I saw a television commercial that got my attention: invisible braces! They are custom-made from a mold of your teeth and are fitted behind your teeth so you don't see them. Hey, wait a minute . . . DON'T see them? That to me is the best part of getting braces! You actually have something to show for all of your pain and suffering. It is a badge of courage to wear!

After scaring my little sister by shutting the lights off and chasing her with my glowing mouth, and looking pretty cool, I think my advice to kids who are considering braces is to go for it, and don't worry! After all, nothing worth having comes without some pain and hard work, right?

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Nick Linguanti, 13, is in the eighth grade at Southside Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg.

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