Braces - Did or would you have your teen contribute to the costs? Does it teach responsibility?

[Anonymous]

I had a single mom who financed my braces making sacrifices I did not know about back then. I did not wear my retainers and care for keeping my teeth straight. Flash forward - My overbite is back as an adult and gap re-widening.

DD 15 turning 16 would like to get braces for an overbite. The dentist explained if it makes her feel better about herself, then that’s great but he did not see it as something required for her dental health.

Will having her help pay a portion of the costs teach her responsibility for more expensive things like braces and retainers?

[Anonymous]

No. You’re the parent, you pay. Get the retainer insurance. But if they don’t keep up with the retainers in the long run, they have to pay for their own Invisalign later.

The younger you get braces and remove wisdom teeth the better, as it’s easier to adjust with body growth and the roots aren’t fully fused.

[Anonymous]

wtf no. This isn’t just cosmetic, if the teeth are not straightened correctly, it can lead to issues later in adult life. My DH is learning that the hard way right now and it is very costly and painful.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

no. Medical is paid by parent.

[Anonymous]

No. You pay. But I would tell your kid your story.

[Anonymous]

No. If she repeatedly loses her retainer, I might dock her some of her allowance (if you give her one). But braces are part of the parental deal.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not! And I’d go get a second opinion. What was deemed “good enough” by my ortho back in the day has caused immense issues and pain for me as an adult. I wish it had been properly fixed the first time.

[Anonymous]

My parents were not the best parents in the world in many ways, but it never occurred to them to not pay for my braces. Wow.

And they didn’t wait till I was 15. Come on.

[Anonymous]

would you have them contribute to treating their own cancer? what kind of question is this

[Anonymous]

No, wtf

[Anonymous]

I think that's a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. If she repeatedly loses her retainer, I might dock her some of her allowance (if you give her one). But braces are part of the parental deal.

This. Braces are a parent's responsibility, and pp is correct, not losing the retainer is the teen's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:would you have them contribute to treating their own cancer? what kind of question is this

OP SAID this is cosmetic. Is cancer cosmetic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no. Medical is paid by parent.

This is cosmetic dental. You're the type of mommy who takes pride in how hot her teen daughter is aren't you? Ick.