No, they are not a turnoff at all. Truly. When I was in high school, I dated guys with braces and it was fine. (Yes, I kissed them, too, and that was fine, too.) So many people had braces that it was never an issue. Any girl who's going to rule you out because of braces is a girl you don't want anyway, bascially, because she's someone who only judges on surface appearances.

As a braces wearer, you're probably already aware of this, but since food gets into them so badly, you do have to be careful to make sure they're clean by brushing your teeth after eating, especially if you intend to smile or flirt with girls. Brushing can sometimes be hard when you're in school, but dirty, goopy, food-covered braces do have turnoff potential. Most girls are very aware of guys' hygiene and areas like clean teeth/braces, good breath, good cologne, etc. So an investment in an extra toothbrush might be wise. Other than food-associated risk, I think braces are not at all a deal-breaker where attraction is concerned. Just act like you normally would and don't draw attention to them or make a big deal out of them and no one else will, either.

I know this all sounded a lot like what a mother would say, didn't it? Can't help myself. I'm the mother of a 20-year-old who once wore braces and worried about these same things. Good luck, both with orthodontia and with the young ladies!