Bracing for change

I was having lunch with Cynthia last week, and we talked about my braces journey. I told her about the unexpected personal growth I experienced after getting braces at age 50, and she suggested I write a blog post about it. “Is anyone really all that interested in my dental saga?” I wondered. She assured me it was worth sharing, so here we are. 

What prompted that decision was a dentist appointment where I was told my bottom teeth were chipping because of my crooked bite. “If you don’t want to end up with implants, I suggest you see an orthodontist,” I was advised. My first thought was, “Are you kidding me? I’m way too old for that. It’s way too expensive. It will be such a long journey.” My dentist emphasized to me that more and more adults are fixing their misaligned teeth, and that yes, braces are expensive, but not as costly as getting multiple dental implants. Plus, it’s much better to keep your own teeth and prioritize your dental health.  

That night, I talked it over with my husband, who encouraged me to take action to protect those bottom teeth from chipping and cracking. Reluctantly, I scheduled my orthodontist appointment for the following week. Three weeks later, I was drinking smoothies and taking Advil to cope with the soreness from wires and brackets poking the inside of my now very sensitive mouth. I apologized to my kids for not being more empathetic about their own post-adjustment soreness when they were in braces. The 15- to 18-month projected timeline for completing my treatment felt forever away. 

It's hard to believe, but as I write this, I am only about a month away from getting my braces removed! On December 18^th, this journey will come to an end, and I am reflecting on how the past year and a half with braces has been more transformative than I ever expected. For Christmas this year, I will not only have straight teeth and a corrected bite, but also a much more enthusiastic outlook on growing older. 

Hitting 50 had felt like a significant shift from "middle age" to "late middle age."  New physical limitations and confusing menopausal symptoms became common topics of conversation between my friends and me. My mindset was one of “acceptance” with a touch of “resignation” to the inevitability of slowing down a bit and co-existing with hot flashes, brain fog, and a persistent state of worry. 

After I got used to them, getting braces became the best kind of wake-up call. It blew my mind that the orthodontist could adjust my bite and upgrade my smile so late in the game. Investing in my teeth lit a fire under me to invest in other areas of my life.  If I was putting so much effort into one aspect of my health, I figured I might as well keep that momentum going and build some muscle and increase my bone density. And then, since I was feeling stronger, more energetic, and sleeping better from resistance training, I realized I could wake up a little earlier and get my morning stillness and daily workout in before 7:00 am.  Now that I was consistently filling my soul and strengthening my body first thing in the morning, I had the whole day ahead of me and better mental clarity to entertain new possibilities for developing my gifts and taking on new challenges.

Each time I stepped a little outside my comfort zone to stretch myself physically, mentally, or spiritually, I was amazed by how much growth, renewal, and strength were still very much within reach!  “I’m slowing down” turned into “I’m just getting started!”  I enrolled in a life-coaching course and boosted my confidence in my ability to do hard things and keep promises to myself, which has made me far less susceptible to distraction, aimlessness, anxious ruminations, and negative self-talk.  

One positive leap forward inspired another, and then another, and then another. What started as a frustrating interruption to my familiar circumstances turned into a springboard for change. It feels fulfilling to break free from scarcity thinking, overcome resistance, and engage in meaningful, redemptive, hope-centered work. I am forever grateful for how our bodies and spirits can go from wilting to blooming at any age through edifying routines and intentional care.  Those first baby steps towards transformation are always the hardest, but committing to staying the course with all of its big and little wins, character-building setbacks, and daily fresh starts is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones!