The first time I had braces was when I was in fifth grade... almost ten years ago. However, here I am, a sophomore in college, with braces. Since it has been so long since I have had them, I had forgotten how badly braces suck. Here are, what I think, the top six reasons why braces suck.

1. It makes you self-conscious

Having self-confidence is difficult as it is. Now I have a hard time getting excited to get dressed up and look cute because no matter how much makeup I put on, I will still have ugly braces.

2. Everything gets stuck in them

Forget trying to eat anything without getting food caught in your braces. You end up unintentionally saving food for later in your braces. Ew!

3. Flossing is a pain

I am a regular flosser... or at least I was. Now that I have braces, it takes so long to thread the floss between braces.

4. Every picture is basically ruined

After having beautiful, straight teeth for years, I have gotten quite used to loving my teeth in pictures. Now, however, I hate absolutely every picture that I am in.

5. You cannot chew gum

I am an avid gum-chewer, and with braces, chewing gum is impossible. It gets caught up in your braces and leaves you with a mess to pick out.

6. The pain after going to the ortho

I had forgotten how painful it was to move teeth. The day after I got the braces put on was the day that I just kind of wanted to die from the pain. Thank God for pain medication.

At the end of the day, I cannot be too upset because my teeth are going to be perfectly straight. The only bad part is suffering through the few months in ortho hell. If you are in the market for getting braces or have just gotten them, good luck!