When it comes to media, representation matters, especially to kids. If your child is nervous about getting braces, it’s important to reassure them that they’re in good company on their orthodontic journey. Here are a few examples where pop-culture characters showed the world that wearing braces is cool.

Darla Sherman (Finding Nemo)

For younger children, the braces-wearing character they may be most familiar with is Darla Sherman from Finding Nemo. You may remember her scene at the office of her dentist uncle, the man who fished Nemo out of the ocean and transplanted him into a fishtank. Darla also had some pretty fancy headgear, too!

Murray (Clueless)

Murray was the cool-yet-lovable boyfriend of one of the movie’s main characters, Dionne. He also sported a shiny pair of braces along with his trendy clothes. Though it was set in the 90s, today’s teens can probably still easily relate to the high school drama and hijinks of Murray and his pals.

Betty Suarez (Ugly Betty)

Before she blew us all away with her powerful monologue in Barbie, America Ferrara was famous for playing Betty Suarez, who despite the name of the show was not ugly in her trademark braces and kitschy outfits. Betty teaches us that it’s okay to be yourself, even if you don’t blend in with the crowd.

Sharon Spitz (Braceface)

Braceface was a cartoon series about a girl whose braces were magnetically charged, equipping her with a set of unique abilities. Thankfully, even though your own braces can’t make magic, they can still make your teeth straight, which is a pretty cool superpower if you think about it.

Chuckie Finster (Rugrats)

Millennial moms and dads may remember Chuckie and his crew of troublemaking tots on the Nickelodeon cartoon, Rugrats. Though often fearful, Chuckie always does the right thing and is there for his friends when they need him.

Lisa Simpson (The Simpsons)

In a famously relatable episode of The Simpsons, Homer Simpson forms a union at the power plant when his dental benefits are set to be taken away right as his daughter Lisa needs braces.

Mike Wazowski (Monster’s University)

Monster’s University follows Mike and Sully from Monster’s Inc. in a prequel about how they got started scaring. In the film, the one-eyed Mike diligently wears his retainer following a successful orthodontic treatment, setting a good example for kids and a reminder for us all about the importance of aftercare.

Remember, braces can make even the most confident kid a little self-conscious, so having a list of cool characters with orthodontic devices can help make the transition a little easier. Hopefully these examples will bring a smile to their face and show them that they’re not alone!

About Our Practice

With five Mississippi and two Alabama locations, Parker Dental & Orthodontics is truly a community of care. We offer a wide range of dental services, from preventive care to cosmetic procedures, restorations, and of course orthodontics. Whether it’s an adult patient or a child, we’ll do our best to make you smile.

To schedule an appointment for an orthodontic consultation, visit our website for more information.