Blog #73. Between Braces and Balding

You’re probably thinking this is a blog about the life you lead between your teenage years and “old age.” And you would be wrong.

I’m actually describing what my life includes—right now—even as I turn 63.

Testing the scarf option. You don't even see the braces!

OMG, you’re thinking. Did she really just say that? Braces? BALDING?

Yep. Let’s start with the dental confession: aging faces change shape. Our jawbones shift, often crowding in teeth like front stage at a Taylor Swift concert, and before you know it, you’ve got a situation that’s not just cosmetic. Crowded teeth can lead to infection, pain, and enough dental bills to make you wish for the good old days of baby teeth.

The takeaway? Always take care of your teeth! Don’t think a mouthful of metal circa 1975. There are great options today that make braces in your 60s painless and effective. (I’d show you a before-and-after picture, but that’s TMI.)

And then there’s balding. Whoooo, that’s embarrassing, right? Except it shouldn’t be—because alopecia affects about 30% of women after menopause. And this doesn’t include all the women who experience balding due to brave fights with cancer and other diseases. Warriors, each one. (You might raise an arched eyebrow here… I wouldn’t know. I lost mine ten years ago.)

So here I am—straightening my smile while my scalp stages a quiet rebellion—and honestly? I’m fine with it. Actually, I find it pretty funny – which is why I’m sharing this blog today. Because here’s the truth: aging is not about preserving some freeze-dried version of your 30-year-old self.

It’s about adapting, laughing, and taking care of the body that’s carried you this far, even when it surprises you with new maintenance instructions.

We get to decide whether these changes are shameful secrets or fabulous battle stories. Braces in your 60s? That’s not a midlife crisis—it’s a midlife upgrade. Bald spots? Call them crown extensions; they leave more room for wisdom to escape. (And yes, I’ve just started treatment. If, in 6 months, it doesn’t work, you’ll see me sporting amazing headscarf confections!)

So, no,  being between braces and balding isn’t about some hypothetical stage of life. It’s about caring for your body, your temple, and living fully in the one you’ve got. Take preventive care of yourself. Don’t wait until things really start to fall apart and run to a doctor.

And if anyone asks, you tell them: yes, she really did just say that. Come join us at WonderCrone for more wisdom, wonder, shenanigans, and SASS!