DR. WALLACE: I love my parents very much, but they can be very difficult. I am 17 and am now an only child because my twin sister died two days after we were born. This was very difficult for them to accept and I know that their excessive hovering and monitoring my every move was caused by this. They have always been very cautious while raising me.

My problem is that I had to wait until I turned 16 to even date, and now I'm not allowed to date the same guy more than once a month. And, of course, I cannot go steady or even think about it until my 18th birthday as long as I'm living at home.

My parents have really done an outstanding job raising me and my mom has bought every book printed on "How to raise your child," and especially during the teen years. She is also a faithful reader of your column, so in case my letter gets printed she will certainly read it.

I think the dating rules mom has dictated are totally unrealistic and not in tune with today's dating patterns — and are probably more like in the Dark Ages. I would hope that you will agree with me. — Nameless, Columbia, S.C.

NAMELESS: It's obvious that your parents do not want you to get involved with a young man for a couple of years and have devised a dating pattern that almost assures that you won't. I feel their insisting that you don't go steady until you're 18 is reasonable. Much too often teens get involved with one person and one person only, and they miss out on the opportunity to "play the field" and to enjoy the company and friendship of many. But limiting a dating partner to one date per month is a bit unrealistic. One date a week still falls in the conservative, but acceptable, range.

MY TEETH ARE CROOKED

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 13-year-old girl and I'm considered to be pretty, but I do have one flaw — my teeth are crooked. My grandmother thinks that the time has come for them to get straightened. She even said that she would pay for the braces. I'm not so sure I want to be seen with braces. I think they look stupid and make a girl look ugly. Please give me your advice. — Nameless, Rock Island, Ill.

NAMELESS: Take grandma's offer! There was a time when girls thought braces on their teeth was socially unacceptable, but times have changed. The old silver "straight-jacket" look is gone and stylish new colors are now in fashion for your smile. The Elastics, the rubber bands used with braces, now are available in nearly every color of the rainbow from hot pink to apple green. Since these bands are interchangeable, you can select them to coordinate with your outfit each day of the week. You can also have fun for certain holidays — such as orange and black for Halloween, red and white for Valentine's Day or green and red for Christmas!

Brackets, the portion of the braces bonded directly to the teeth also come in colors providing a colorful smile. Even retainers, the devices worn immediately following braces, now can be ordered in the color of your choice from light pink to deep purple.

Why colored braces? Orthodontists want teens to feel more enthusiastic about wearing braces. How about wearing braces and removing them for special occasions? Removable braces are now available and some high-profile celebrities (actors, singers, public speakers) are ordering removable braces they can take out while performing.

All this is wonderful news for teens who need braces!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.