Navigating the Challenges of Orthodontics: My Journey to Recovery
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Understanding My Orthodontic Journey
At the age of 11, I found myself struggling with severely misaligned teeth.
My teeth were overcrowded, and my two front teeth overlapped awkwardly. Frustrated by their appearance, I pleaded with my mom for braces. Eventually, she relented and took me to an orthodontist. This orthodontist followed a conventional approach, opting to extract four of my teeth—two on each side. The aftermath left me with painful, gaping wounds in my gums. Once healed, braces were affixed to the remaining teeth.
The metal brackets were harsh on my gums, causing significant discomfort after each tightening session. Despite the pain, I was excited about the prospect of having straight teeth. However, when my braces were finally removed at 14, I was devastated by my reflection. My teeth still appeared unattractive, with a noticeable gap at the top between the front two, and my face seemed pinched, giving me an unappealing look.
Moreover, my jaw had been constricted, leaving little room for my tongue, which made it challenging to keep my mouth closed, resulting in mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing. I brushed these concerns aside until I came across a segment on Oprah discussing the work of epigenetic orthodontists.
Epigenetic orthodontists prioritize preserving healthy teeth, using specialized devices to expand the jaw’s width and forward position, allowing for proper accommodation of teeth and tongue while enhancing breathing efficiency and aesthetics. The show presented side-by-side images of twins—one who underwent traditional braces with extractions and the other who did not—highlighting how the twin with braces exhibited a narrowed jaw and a compressed mouth just like mine.
I also discovered that allergies could contribute to dental crowding. When allergies flare up, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing, causing the tongue to lose its proper resting position against the palate, which over time constricts the jaw and creates overcrowding.
This revelation resonated with my childhood experiences. Allergic to dust as a child, I often slept with a stuffy nose due to my mother’s lack of cleaning, leading me to breathe through my mouth. This misalignment of my tongue position likely contributed to my narrowed jaw and crowded teeth.
Before the age of 13, jawbones remain unfused, allowing for potential correction without tooth extraction. A competent orthodontist should have used a palate expander to create space for my teeth to realign. Instead, my experience with a subpar orthodontist left me with lasting repercussions.
Steps Toward Recovery
To counteract the damage from traditional orthodontics, I've adopted several practices. First, I focus on mewing, which involves positioning my tongue—particularly the back—against the roof of my mouth, with the tip just behind my front teeth, while keeping my mouth closed and breathing through my nose. Over time, this practice is believed to help in the natural expansion of the jaw.
To address my sleep apnea, I’ve implemented intermittent fasting. Limiting my eating to an eight-hour window has alleviated my acid reflux, preventing GERD-induced asthma and nighttime breathlessness.
Next, I sought treatment for my allergies. Initially, I believed I was allergic to ragweed, but an allergy specialist identified dust as my primary trigger. Now, I consistently clean my living space, ensuring a dust-free environment to facilitate nasal breathing during sleep.
I also explored options with an epigenetic orthodontist, but the one I consulted turned out to be unqualified and instead recommended jaw surgery—a procedure involving breaking and reconstructing the jaw with metal plates. Given the risks and potential for further bone loss, I opted against this invasive route. Currently, I maintain my dental health by visiting minimally invasive dentists. Although I have some gaps and gum recession, they are manageable, and I use toothpicks post-meals to maintain cleanliness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, it’s crucial to select an epigenetic orthodontist who will prioritize your healthy teeth and utilize palate expanders for optimal jaw alignment. If you’ve had experiences similar to mine with traditional methods, you can still take proactive measures through mewing, intermittent fasting, and allergy management.
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
The first video titled "My dentist broke my jaw | Law Partners" discusses the serious implications of poor dental practices and the legal recourse available.
The second video, "Can Braces With Extractions Ruin Your Face? | Braces FAQ Pt. 1," explores the potential aesthetic consequences of traditional orthodontic methods and provides insights into alternative approaches.