The author, Christina Wyman, shares her personal story of undergoing multiple rounds of orthodontia due to a severe overbite and deformed jaw known as a Class II malocclusion. Beginning with standard metal brackets at the age of 12, she went on to try Invisalign trays, metal brackets again with jaw surgery at 33, and was still considering a fourth round of treatment at 43. Despite spending a significant amount of money and a third of her life on dental work, she still believed her teeth were not socially acceptable, leading to relentless bullying and trauma throughout her life.
As a child, Wyman turned to books as an escape from the cruelty of her peers, but was never fully able to connect with the characters due to her own struggles with her appearance. She recounts the hurtful nicknames and comments she endured, both from children and adults, and the impact they had on her self-esteem and mental well-being. Even as an adult, she continued to face criticism and unsolicited opinions about her teeth, including from strangers on the street and even her own dentist.
Wyman talks about the societal pressure to have perfect teeth and the long history of America’s obsession with dental perfection, dating back to the 1800s. She discusses her experiences visiting an orthodontist who primarily treated adolescents, surrounded by images of smiling celebrities with braces, which only served to reinforce the message that her appearance needed fixing. Despite seeking therapy to address her trauma, she found that writing a children’s book, “Jawbreaker,” allowed her to heal from her own experiences and gain a new perspective on self-acceptance.
Through the process of writing “Jawbreaker,” Wyman came to realize that the opinions of others about her appearance no longer had the power to affect her sense of self-worth. She shares the liberating feeling of embracing her own smile and being comfortable in her own skin, no longer feeling the need to confront those who have hurt her in the past. As an author and teacher, she now has the opportunity to connect with children facing similar difficulties and offer them a message of self-acceptance and resilience.
Wyman emphasizes the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of life and surrounding oneself with supportive people, rather than dwelling on past hurtful experiences. She no longer seeks validation from others and has learned to appreciate her unique smile and facial features. By sharing her story, Wyman hopes to inspire others to embrace their own individuality and find strength in their differences.
