I've experienced several periods of depression throughout my adult life, and while prescription drugs have proved helpful, I've been keen to explore drug-free ways to manage and treat my depression. I started this blog to share my personal experience battling this illness and the alternative treatment options I've tried, including dietary supplements, talking therapies, meditation, relaxation exercises, massage and acupuncture. I also post about current research on the effectiveness of holistic therapies at treating depression, and the blog contains guest posts written by others with depression who have tried drug-free treatments. I hope you find the information on this blog useful.
Orthodontics refers to addressing problems with the alignment of teeth and the jaw itself; this field is different than cosmetic dentistry, which is only concerned about the appearance of teeth, but which may not actually fix misalignment and other similar issues. Braces are a common fix for alignment issues, although many adults often assume that only teenagers get braces. Note some reasons why an adult may want to discuss orthodontic treatment options with their dentist, or why a dentist has suggested you see an orthodontist now, as an adult.
Teeth do move over the years
You may have noticed that your teeth are not as straight as they once were, or the shape of your face and chin seem to have changed over the years. You're not imagining this, as bones in the face can shrink and teeth can then shift as you get older. You may have also forced the teeth out of alignment by grinding them at night, or never had wisdom teeth pulled, so they now crowd other teeth. Teeth can also get smaller because of decay or simple wear with age, and this can allow them to move out of alignment. Whatever the reason, don't ignore the potential need you have for braces now, in order to move your teeth back into their proper position and keep them from moving and shifting even more.
Your jaw is not supported
If you notice that you often have jaw pain, earaches, headaches, or pain anywhere along the shoulders and neck, this could actually be the result of misaligned teeth. The upper and lower jaws rest against each other for support, and without that proper support, the muscles may get overworked and then stiff and sore. By properly aligning the teeth, the muscles of the jaw can relax and you won't have such pain.
Misaligned teeth can put your health in jeopardy
As with changes to your face, you may not be imagining things if you think that you're always biting or scraping the inside of your cheeks or gums, or biting your tongue. You may also realize that it's suddenly hard to chew certain foods, and tend to favour one side of your mouth when you chew. Misaligned teeth can scrape against the gums or cause you to bite the inside of your mouth, or can make it difficult to chew properly. In turn, you may be at higher risk of oral infections or may suffer nutritionally if you start to avoid certain healthy foods. To protect your overall health, it can be good to get braces and have your teeth properly aligned, no matter your age.
Share30 May 2017
