It seems that Brits are actively trying to shed their reputation for bad teeth. The British Society of Orthodontists is reporting a significant rise in the number of adults putting metal in their mouths.

The Guardian writes:

The British are supposedly famous for having ugly, snaggled teeth, which perhaps explains why people are seeking aesthetic improvements in greater numbers - we now spend £360m a year on cosmetic dentistry. But it can be a costly and slow process.

In the US, braces have become almost a status symbol, because the cost of them can run to several thousand dollars. Here, they can cost from £2,000 to £8,000 or more, although if a patient's problem is severe enough - for instance, if the bite is affected, which might involve jaw surgery, and it is not just an aesthetic issue - it can be done on the NHS.

Inspired by this news, we put together a tribute to adult celebrities who have bravely worn braces.

• • • • • • Gwen Stefani (From a-list.org)

Have we left anyone out? Please tell us below in comments.