If you grew up in the ‘90s, there’s a good chance you had braces yourself or at least knew a kid with “metal mouth.” While clear aligners are a fast-growing orthodontic trend, traditional braces were once the dominant treatment for achieving a straighter smile. But they weren’t only highly visible in everyday life; at times, their profile was high enough to grace our big and small screens! Take a little trip down memory lane and read up on times when braces entered the chat in popular culture.
Chelsea Clinton
Remember her? She was the First Kid of America from 1992 to 2000 while her father, former President Bill Clinton, and her mother, Hillary Clinton, raised her in the White House.
Little Chelsea famously had frizzy hair and a smile outfitted with braces. Whether they were gracing daily newspapers or our small screens on the evening national news, you could often see the family of 3 pictured together, with Chelsea proudly smiling.
A good reminder that braces don’t have to keep you from a big, broad grin!
“Lisa Needs Braces! Dental Plan!”
Whether you grew up with them or have just now discovered the joys of early seasons of The Simpsons, once you hear, “Lisa needs braces! Dental plan!”, it’s hard to get it out of your head.
A bit of context: In an episode titled “Last Exit to Springfield,” Homer’s employer, the maleficent Montgomery Burns, cancels the power plant’s dental coverage. In a memorable scene, the dull-witted Homer starts to put two-and-two together as the echoes of Marge’s words, “Lisa needs braces!” and his co-worker’s expression, “dental plan!” play over and over in his head.
Truly iconic comedy gold.
Drew Barrymore
Another staple of the 1990s pop culture scene, Drew Barrymore is part of an acting lineage that dates back to her grandfather, John Barrymore, an icon of early Hollywood, and her granduncle, Lionel Barrymore, who you may know as the villainous “Mr. Potter” in the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
In the ‘90s, Drew was on a run that included hits like “Scream,” “Batman Forever,” “The Wedding Singer,” and last but not least, “Never Been Kissed.” In the latter film, she excels as Josie Geller, a journalist who returns to her high school for an undercover story. Flashbacks reveal “Josie Grossie,” as she was known during her actual school days in the 1980s, in all her awkward glory – messy hair, socially clueless, and a big, shiny set of braces on her teeth.
Barrymore reveled in the quirky, loveable, girl-next-door role, and audiences loved her for it. It’s one of the parts the current talk show host is most closely associated with.
“Ugly Betty”
The role that made America fall in love with America – America Ferrera, that is. The popular TV show “Ugly Betty” centered on Betty Suarez, a smart young woman from Queens who, despite having no fashion sense, lands a job at a high-end fashion magazine.
The memorable character is notable not just for her outlandish outfits, but her distinct lack of self-consciousness about her adult braces. She challenged the expectations in a superficial industry and lived to tell the tale.
As you can see, it’s not completely uncool to wear traditional braces. If they’re good enough for presidential daughters and famous TV and movie characters, they could work for you, too!
About the Author
Dr. David W. Cordes is our chief smile maker at Cordes Orthodontics, and he’s been at it for more than 20 years and counting. He was educated at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and maintains active memberships in organizations including the American Association of Orthodontics and the American Dental Association, among others. Contact us online where you can also find listings for our 3 convenient office locations.