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

[Anonymous]

My husband's parents didn't fix his teeth because they said a boy didn't need to care about his teeth (they paid for his sister's) and he's had all sorts of issues as an adult. Fixing it now would require surgery.

Don't be like my inlaws.

[Anonymous]

The child has an overbite because of the poor mating choices of the parents. It is unfair to inflict punishment on a kid for her genes. Next time only procreate with people with straight teeth.

[Anonymous]

As someone with an overbite, even after braces, do it. The stress on my jaw from not being able to close it is terrible. It’s not good to be a mouth breather. I’m 52 and planning to get them again because I’m tired of it.

You should absolutely pay for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general I believe medical and dental costs are the parents responsibility. Kids are expensive. I think there can be exceptions requiring some input from the teen or my friends daughter was constantly using her Invisalign retainer. But op if you're living paycheck to paycheck why did you take her for a cosmetic consultation?. That's just setting her up. I think you to look at your financial obligations and ability here.

Not OP, but wondering if she took the kid to a dentist, not an orthodontist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s a whole lot easier later in life if your teeth are where they are supposed to be. Dental problems can be a nightmare when you get older. He said cosmetic because insurance won’t pay for them. That doesn’t mean putting the teeth in the best location isn’t ideal.

[Anonymous]

OMG, NO!!!!! This is not the way to teach responsibility. Pick something else to do that but take care of your daughter’s teeth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Dentists are not able to make this determination. You should get an ortho consult before deciding it is just cosmetic

[Anonymous]

I had a cosmetic fix as an adult and I am fine. I think we didn't uses braces as much back then and spending money on them for something not entirely necessary would have seemed absurd. It's a different world where it seems more kids than not have braces. But I promise there are lots of kids not getting braces because of the cost. I'm happy with the way my teeth turned out now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

I hate parents like you. Why did you have a kid?
No kids do not pay for this you do as a parent!

Shame on you for even asking this question. Your kid did not ask to be born, you selfish shit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

I hate parents like you. Why did you have a kid?
No kids do not pay for this you do as a parent!

Shame on you for even asking this question. Your kid did not ask to be born, you selfish shit.

this is too harsh and uncalled for. It's not like the OP said we aren't getting braces so I can buy myself a pet chimpanzee. It's a parent struggling to make ends meet and thinking about cosmetic braces. The DCUM world is out of touch with reality.