• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wellness Mama®

Wellness Mama®

Simple Answers for Healthier Families

  • About
  • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Mama Wellness
    • Natural Home
    • Natural Remedies
    • Organization
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Motherhood
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Reviews

Alternatives to Braces (& What I’m Doing With My Kids)

July 19, 2019 by Katie Wells
straighten teeth without braces
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • A Holistic Approach to Dental Health
  • How Fat-Soluble Vitamins Make Teeth Straight (or Not)
  • Clues Your Child Is Prone to Crooked Teeth+−
    • Here’s what to look out for:
  • Natural Alternatives to Braces (What I Do)+−
    • Breastfeeding
    • Eat a Traditional Diet
    • Feed Textured Foods
    • Keep an Eye on Mouth Proportions
  • Can Teens and Adults Reverse Crooked Teeth?
  • Natural Alternatives to Braces: Bottom Line

I have been fascinated by dental health for a very long time, so you can imagine my excitement when I had the chance to interview the legendary holistic dentist Dr. Steven Lin on the podcast. He specializes in root causes and solutions for common dental problems… even crooked teeth!

Dr. Lin confirmed many of the things that I am already doing as alternatives to braces for my kids and taught me some new things as well. A lot of this advice isn’t being shared in conventional dentist offices (yet), but that is starting to change!

A Holistic Approach to Dental Health

When I was getting braces as a kid I remember asking my orthodontist what made my teeth crooked to begin with. He said it was genetics. If that were true then many of my ancestors would have had crooked teeth (and the same goes for any family who has crooked teeth in their genetics).

But if you ask anthropologists about crooked teeth, they’ll laugh. People just didn’t have crooked teeth until around the Industrial Revolution. As Dr. Steven Lin mentions in the podcast, genetics has something to do with it, but our modern diets may be the biggest culprit.

As far as the link between food and dental health goes, conventional wisdom tells us that sugar causes cavities and that’s the extent of the connection. But food is much more connected to oral health than that.

Dr. Steven Lin explains in his book The Dental Diet how food is directly related to dental issues. Dr. Weston A. Price began the research in the 1930s and others have come to the same conclusions:

  • Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2 are essential for proper jaw and facial development
  • Healthy fats are essential for acquiring and absorbing these vitamins

Unfortunately, modern diets are especially poor in these important nutrients, resulting in malformed jaws, snoring, and crooked teeth.

How Fat-Soluble Vitamins Make Teeth Straight (or Not)

Dr. Price found that communities that stuck to their traditional diets (which were as much as 20 times higher in fat-soluble vitamins than the standard Western diet today) had beautiful, straight teeth. These traditional cultures also rarely used toothbrushes or toothpaste either.

Here’s why:

Vitamin A is important for bone building cells and facial growth signals. The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium. Vitamin K2 has been recently understood to activate proteins that help carry minerals to bones and teeth. Yet with modern diets, we often don’t get enough of these important nutrients.

These vitamins work together and without them, the jaw can’t form properly. If the jaw and mouth are too small for all of the teeth to come in properly, they can become crowded and crooked.

Clues Your Child Is Prone to Crooked Teeth

It’s been thought that kids either get crooked teeth or they don’t, and you won’t know until they get their adult teeth. Dr. Lin suggests that there are signs that parents can look out for that may cause crooked teeth as early as infanthood. The earlier we spot an issue the better chance of correcting it.

Here’s what to look out for:

  • Tongue ties – The tongue should sit at top of the palate and there should be no frenulum visible. To check for a tongue tie have your child open his mouth and try to touch the tip of the tongue to just behind the upper teeth. If he can’t touch it, he may have a tongue tie. However, being able to touch doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no tongue tie, but it’s a good place to start.
  • Thin, high palate – Kids should have a flat U-shaped palate (not V-shaped or high). Check by tipping their head back and looking at the palate. Chewing hard fibrous vegetables and meat on the bone can help build a better palate shape.
  • Mouth breathing – The child should be able to breathe through their nose comfortably. If your child breathes through their mouth, their jaw growth may be stunted. Just getting them to breathe through the nose can help reform the jaw. Mouth breathing is also not ideal because the nasal passages prepare air for the lungs by moistening and warming the air. Nitric oxide is synthesized in the nasal passages which helps distribute oxygen. Nitric oxide also plays a role in platelet function, immunity, the nervous system, homeostasis, and the regulation of mitochondrial function. What to try: Have the child place the tongue at the roof of the mouth with lips closed. This opens airways, helps form the arch properly, and activates the neuromuscular pathways that train the airway to stay open during sleep. It’s important too to consult with a doctor if you have any concerns.
  • Snoring and teeth clenching/grinding – Grinding teeth is a signal from the brain that the airway is closing. No child should snore. It’s a sign that their airway is not clear. If your child grinds his teeth or snores, try using a saline spray before bed.
  • Throat check – You want to be able to see all the way back to the back of the throat when your child opens his mouth. If the tongue is in the way or tonsils are inflamed, that’s a sign that the airway is impeded.

Natural Alternatives to Braces (What I Do)

As Dr. Lin mentions, there is hope in avoiding (and even reversing) crooked teeth and other dental issues. Here’s what Dr. Lin and the research I’ve done suggests to reduce the chance of needing braces:

Breastfeeding

I realize that no one can go back in time, and even if we could there are many reasons that moms may have not been able to breastfeed. But if it’s at all possible, the American Dental Association says breastfeeding is a great first step toward healthy jaw and teeth. The act of removing milk from the breast helps form the arch of the palate. Breastfeeding supports proper tongue posture as well. In fact, breastfeeding trouble is one of the most common ways of discovering a tongue posture issue (tongue tie). Breastmilk also contains live enzymes and probiotics that help seal the digestive tract and build the immune system.

Eat a Traditional Diet

Consume plenty of fat-soluble vitamins along with healthy fat! This means eating plenty of fermented foods, pastured organ meats, pastured butter, coconut oil, avocados, and fish.

Feed Textured Foods

When babies reach about six months old and show signs of readiness for solid foods, choose foods that are nutrient dense and have texture. The act of chewing and moving food around in the mouth helps develop the jaw. Meat, liver, and egg yolks are ideal first foods for babies. Rice and oatmeal are best to wait on (or rethink all together).

Keep an Eye on Mouth Proportions

As Dr. Lin mentions in the podcast, the earlier we (as parents) notice signs of malfunctioning or malformed jaw, the easier it is to correct. Paying attention to how a child breathes at night or their usual facial posture can give us important clues. I would also get help from an ear, nose, throat (ENT) doctor, chiropractor, osteopath, holistic dentist, or craniosacral therapist if needed.

Our family is using Vivos to optimize our kids’ palates while they sleep. As an alternative to braces, this device is only worn at night and helps the maxilla expand naturally. We’ve noticed a reduction in mouth breathing and an increase in sleep, and their jaws seem to be expanding as their adult teeth come in. We’re hopeful we will avoid braces!

Can Teens and Adults Reverse Crooked Teeth?

Conventional wisdom says that the upper palate of the mouth fuses in adulthood and can’t be easily changed. According to Dr. Lin, this is untrue (great news!). Dr. Lin says that there are actually stem cells in the palate, so it can expand. For adults and teens it may take longer to see changes (6 months to 2 years) but the recommendations above can help adults and teens gain straighter teeth, too, not to mention better health overall.

Natural Alternatives to Braces: Bottom Line

We don’t have to wait until our kids are 10 or 12 years old before finding the problem and correcting it. Diet and paying attention to the signs can go a long way to improving dental health and stopping problems before they start. And that’s something to smile about!

Did you have braces as a kid? What was your experience?

Sources:

  1. American Dental Association. (n.d.). Breastfeeding: 6 things nursing moms should know about dental health. Retrieved from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/breastfeeding
  2. Gondivkar, S., Gadbail, A., Gondivkar, R., Sarode, S., Sarode, G., Patil, S., & Awan, K. (2018, October 04). Nutrition and oral health. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0011502918301287?via=ihub
  3. Ikävalko, T., Närhi, M., Eloranta, A., Lintu, N., Myllykangas, R., Vierola, A., . . . Pahkala, R. (2018, May 25). Predictors of sleep disordered breathing in children: The PANIC study. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29016983
  4. Lin, S. (2018, September 21). Dental exam for children that you can easily perform from home. Retrieved from https://www.drstevenlin.com/dental-exam-children/
  5. Lin, S. (2019). Dental diet: The surprising link between your teeth, real food, and life-changing natural health. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.
  6. Najeeb, S., Zafar, M. S., Khurshid, Z., Zohaib, S., & Almas, K. (2016, August 30). The Role of nutrition in periodontal health: an update. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037517/
  7. Varela-López, A., Giampieri, F., Bullón, P., Battino, M., & Quiles, J. L. (2016, September 07). A systematic review on the implication of minerals in the onset, severity and treatment of periodontal disease. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27617985

 

Related Posts

how-knowing-your-chronotype-can-improve-your-sleep-and-your-life58: How Knowing Your Chronotype Can Improve Your SleepUsing The Dental Diet to Reverse Dental Problems with Dr. Steven Lin127: Using the Dental Diet to Reverse Dental Problems with Dr. Steven LinHow Footwear Affects Posture, Alignment and Movement with Gordon Hay From Aline202: How Footwear Affects Posture, Alignment, & Movement With Gordon Hay From ALINEA Holistic Rx for Keeping Your Whole Family Healthy with Dr. Madiha Saeed, MD137: A Holistic Rx for Keeping Your Whole Family Healthy with Dr. Madiha Saeed, MDAsk Katie Anything: Protein, Supplements, Sleep, Parenting, and Shoes387: Ask Katie Anything: Protein, Supplements, Sleep, Parenting, and ShoesDr Terry Wahls297: Why the Wahls Protocol Works for More Than MS: An Update With Dr. Terry Wahls
Category: Natural Remedies

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

  • All Posts
Previous Post: « Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
Next Post: Website Redesign & Update website changes »

You May Also Enjoy These Posts...

  • Natural Parenting Tips
    57: Natural Parenting Tips
  • Homemade natural bubble bath for kids
    Natural Bubble Bath Recipe for Kids
  • Natural alternatives to plastic bags
    Natural and Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Plastic Bags
  • Immune-Boosting Routine for Sending Kids Back to School
  • Best organic and natural toys for kids
    Best Natural and Non-Toxic Toys for Kids
  • healthy candy for trick or treating
    Healthy Candy for Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Reader Interactions

Discussion (33 Comments)

  1. Adelaide

    July 21, 2019 at 11:51 AM

    Great article!
    I am using the Vivos appliance at almost 60 years old (3 plus months of wearing it and counting) to correct things (had teeth pulled and braces that kept my face from “growing” wide and forward, which has caused significant health issues due to poor sleep); the device is gradually moving my arch wider and more forward, and I’m doing myfunctional therapy as a complement (to keep the gains!). I am impressed at your getting to the root of health matters so your children will have the gift of better health all their lives-that is precious. You go, Katie!

    Reply
  2. Jen

    July 21, 2019 at 11:20 AM

    Katie, do you have more information about the Vivos device you are using with your kids or the way you went about seeking treatment for them? It is not totally clear from their website the best way to proceed. Thanks for this post!

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      July 21, 2019 at 12:32 PM

      I researched and found a local dentist who does the treatment. You can probably contact the company and they can help you find a practitioner near you.

      Reply
  3. Addy

    July 21, 2019 at 10:02 AM

    This is really interesting! Do you by any chance know of an equivalent to Vivos in Switzerland/ Europe?

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      July 21, 2019 at 12:33 PM

      I don’t off hand, sorry!

      Reply
    • Diana

      July 25, 2019 at 5:35 AM

      I can‘t help concerning Vivos in Switzerland either but I‘ve another suggestion you might be interested in. When our daughter was little, our dentist mentioned that she had a small mouth and would probably need braces or even teeth removed. At the time I was tackling my health issues seeing a Cranio Sacral therapist, where I mentioned the ‚braces threat‘. My therapist suggested Cranio Sacral therapy for my daughter which we did. She had her jaw and escpecially the joints massaged and her neck treated. She is now 20 years old and never had to have braces, nor teeth removed. I would not have believed before that this might actually work but we had nothing to lose and it felt like magic. Might be worth a shot for your children also.

      Reply
  4. Erin

    July 21, 2019 at 9:22 AM

    So glad you are spreading the news about these things. I have learned so much after having jaw surgery to correct what I considered a very minor underbite. I was scared into it by things my traditional ortho said would happen if left uncorrected. I didn’t know then what I know now and the surgery has left me debilitated in many ways, both structurally in my bite and my entire body. I am currently trying to climb my way out, which involves another surgery, an expander and eventually more braces. The only good I can say that has come out of it is that I have learned sooooo much about orthotropics, breathing, what to look for in my kids and am doing things now, in a holistic approach, to correct their jaw formation now. Thanks for the work you do Katie!

    Reply
  5. Stacey Tynan

    July 21, 2019 at 8:38 AM

    What is the device called that you are using at night for your kids. When I click on the link it just takes me to the Vivos website. Thanks heaps, Stacey

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      July 21, 2019 at 12:35 PM

      It’s a Vivos mouthguard that is designed and sized for each child based on their individual mouth size and shape…

      Reply
  6. Cara Marie Lederer

    July 21, 2019 at 7:59 AM

    Along with proper supplementation, Our kiddos have had great success with their myobraces – which encourages nose breathing and proper placement of their tongue, formation of their jaw/roof of mouth and the straightening of their teeth. The results of which are stunning in just a few months time.

    Reply
  7. Alicia Jordan

    July 21, 2019 at 7:53 AM

    Katie,
    Can teens use Vivos? All of mine are older and one of them is allergic to metal anyway. I’d love to help them naturally while also making them more healthy in the process. Also, how does Vivos compare financially to braces?

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      July 21, 2019 at 12:37 PM

      Yes they can use it. Definitely less expensive than braces.

      Reply
  8. Sylvie

    July 21, 2019 at 7:49 AM

    My son, 6, grinds his teeth at night. He was breastfed until the age of 3 and our diet is quite close to the Weston Price diet. Recently I have removed grains from our diet as he has several cavities.
    I would be interested to know what sort of device you use for your children. The link sends me to the Vivos website but there is no mention of a device.
    Thank you for all your work. Your website is a reference for me!

    Reply
  9. Kim

    July 21, 2019 at 6:25 AM

    We have nine children. The first four all had traditional extractions and braces. Sad. We are “Beyond organic” farmers. I’m a naturopathic Doctor (Now). 🙂 Living and learning. There is a wonderful book by Dr. Felix Liao called Nine Foot Tiger, Six Foot Cage. His practice is in Northern VA and is called “Whole Health Dentistry”. He is amazing. My next batch of kids and even my husband and even two of the already grown up extraction/braces in the past kids are all seeing him now. He works with making the mouth big enough for the teeth, opening the airways for max O2 availability, and body alignment. It is incredible to watch. I don’t have time to get into a lot of detail here, but the book I mentioned and the doctor are both wonderful resources. I know that as Dr. Liao grows older, his passion is to teach other dentists the power of whole health body allignment, which includes the mouth… the mouth is a bit of an anchor. To quote Rudyard Kipling: “Good Hunting!” We moms need to stay on our toes, researsching with wisdom, humble and willing to learn and think outside the box as we care for the lives entrusted to us.

    Reply
    • Alicia

      July 23, 2019 at 8:11 AM

      Hi Kim,
      How do you make this affordable? I feel like our biggest obstacle in pursuing biological dentistry has been how expensive it is. The one we see does not accept insurance so I have to file on my own and only get a small out of pocket portion back.
      I also called the nearest provider of the Vivos system and they say it’ll cost about $10k for each child. We’ve already done the first round of braces for our two oldest but I want a better way. This feels discouraging.

      Reply
      • Arlene

        September 27, 2019 at 3:47 PM

        The Myobrace is about $3000 for my 6 yr old, work checking it out in your area!

        Reply
  10. Julie

    July 20, 2019 at 3:14 PM

    My daughter, 9, has been seeing a mayofuctional therapist for her tongue thrust and tongue tie for several months. You can already see an improvement with the gaps in her teeth. She was a mouth breather, and it’s taken awhile for her to correct it and breath through her nose.

    Reply
    • Jen

      July 21, 2019 at 11:06 AM

      Hi Julie, do you have any advice for seeking out a myofunctional therapist? I’m thinking of my children’s teeth and overall health but don’t have any previous experience in this area. Thanks!

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Join the Conversation... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Please read the comment policy.

Recipe Rating




About

  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Start Here
  • Comment Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Newsletter
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Promo Guidelines
  • Contact
  • Shop

The Blog

  • All Posts
  • Resources
  • Recipes
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Mama Wellness
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Podcast
  • Reviews

Copyright © 2022 · Wellness Mama® · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

Stay in the know.

Simple Answers for Healthier Families