Signs of Aging: 4 Strange Changes You’ll Notice

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I asked some middle-aged friends if they noticed the same thing, and some reported that they also noticed a misalignment in their lower teeth.

So I called the head of the prosthodontics department at New York University School of Dentistry, Leila Jahangiri, and asked if this experience was common. She said it is not uncommon for teeth to shift with age and that this tends to occur more in the lower teeth than the upper teeth.

— Not all teeth move with age, but if they do, common reasons include the loss of a tooth; gum disease, which can make teeth unstable; and tooth wear due to factors such as bruxism — she adds.

But my conversation with Jahangiri got me thinking: Could there be other surprising ways we change as we age? What is considered normal and what is not? I turned to the experts.

— As adults age, their vocal cords often become thinner and less flexible, and may not close as tightly. As a result, your voice may become weaker or hoarse — explains Ted Mau, director of the voice center at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Mau points out that age can affect the voices of men and women in different ways. Some men may notice that, as they age, their voices become higher pitched.

— So, for some men, although they previously had a deep, sonorous voice, their voice may not sound as deep and full as they get older — says Mau.

Meanwhile, he reiterates that hormonal changes in older women can cause their voices to become deeper.

If changes in your voice affect your well-being, or if you have abrupt vocal changes, such as sudden hoarseness that persists for more than a few weeks, Mau recommends seeing an otolaryngologist.

You will shrink (and keep shrinking)

Most people get shorter as they age, starting at age 40. But research shows that men and women lose height differently: by age 70, men lose an average of 2.5 centimeters, while women lose about 5 centimeters.

And after 80? The same research suggests you’ll probably lose a few more inches.

— There are several reasons why we shrink as we age — says section chief of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Geriatric Medicine, Ardeshir Hashmi.

He points out that with age, we lose bone mass and cartilage in the vertebrae of the spine, which can make us shorter. And the abdominal and lower back muscles around the spine can weaken, making it difficult to keep your spine straight.

— Even the flattening of the arches of the feet over time can contribute to loss of height. You may be able to slow the process in part by staying physically active and doing weight-bearing exercises that strengthen your abdomen and stimulate bone growth, as well as getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet,” he adds.

— A significant loss of height may indicate osteoporosis or other conditions. If you notice that you have lost more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) in height in the last year or two, see a doctor,” advises Hashmi.

Your migraines may lessen

Women are two to three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men, and attacks are more frequent and last longer. But there’s good news: migraines may subside after menopause.

— Most women report that their migraines improve. They have a reduction in frequency, a reduction in intensity and may even stop having migraine attacks — says neurologist at Penn Medicine, Seniha Nur Ozudogru.

— Symptoms in women may also improve. As women age, they may experience migraines without associated symptoms such as headache, aura, or nausea. In many cases, migraines are uncomfortable, not disabling — adds Ozudogru.

I take a wabi-sabi approach to my new smile. My voice also got a little deeper. I tell myself it’s mysteriously hoarse. In the end, it’s never too late to adopt a new persona.