Metal Mouth Message Board

I heard that if you have strong and hard bones, it will take longer to straighten the teeth. As calcium makes the bone stronger, will it lengthen the process?

Gosh, that's an interesting question! I sort of think that the calcium would help heal the bone in the jaw more efficiently rather than impede progress, but I guess this is a question for a doctor...

Ok, I'll ask in the doctor section and will quote the reply here.

I didnt know the doctor section is closed
I'll ask my ortho when I see him then.

No, definitely not, but I can see how that is a question.

I'm procrastinating studying for my med school exam on bones as I type and here's what I know:

Your bones reach their maximum density in your early 20s and will never ever get stronger than that no matter how much calcium you take, you can only weaken your bones after that point, that's why osteoporosis is such a problem. Getting enough calcium slows the loss.

So, even if you are young enough to influence the density of your bones, you wouldn't want them less dense because there's no way to make up for it later.

Besides, I've never heard that denser bone is harder to remodel. I'm not saying it's wrong, I just haven't heard it.

Bellalala - Thanks for the info... makes sense. I'll keep taking my extra calcium, but I won't hope for any miracles!