Mom is being so unfair to me, and it's really upsetting.?

Question

So my whole family's dental health is pretty good, my mom never gets cavities, and I've only gotten one when I was 5. I brush 2 times a day for more than 2 minutes, and floss every night. I also rinse my mouth after meals. I went to the dentist today morning, and I found out that I had 3 cavities! I was surprised because I always brush and I don't know how it happened. Anyways, after I got home, my mom started FREAKING OUT, I mean, really freaking out. She yelled at me, and told me I had to brush my teeth for 5 minutes after every meal and snack. She also yelled that by the time I'm 20 I won't have any teeth left, and will have to wear dentures. I'm sure it's not that extreme. My mom said that she can't afford to be paying hundreds of dollars every year on my teeth, and said that I had to pay for it from my own savings. I was extremely upset at this because I earned almost all of my money myself.I used to deliver newspapers 2 times a week, and now I babysit for my mom's friends and my relatives and stuff. The only free money I got was 20 dollars from my grandma on my birthday once. That means that almost all of my money will be gone, so all my hard work will be gone. I know that it's sortive my fault I got so many cavities, but what really bothers me is that I think that insurance should take care of this sort of thing, but I'm not sure. I haven't talked to my mom since because I'm scared she's going to get mad and yell again. I really don't think it's fair that I should have to pay for it myself with my money, but I guess it's my problem... i'm really confused...

Answer 1

Well cavities don't occur just from not enough brushing, they happen when you're drinking and eating too much sugar as well. If you drink soda, stop, drink water, milk, anything that has no sugar, low sugar. If you chew gum, switch to sugar free. No more candy either.. horrible on the teeth.

As for mom being unfair.. I'm sure she was just blowing hot air about you paying it yourself, afterall not EVERYONE can be blessed with perfect teeth, and it isn't your fault completely. Give her a day or 2, then try talking to her again.  

Answer 2

Don't your parents have dental insurance?  If they do, it should cover a percentage of the dentist's charges.

Your cavities aren't your "fault"... maybe you need to talk to the dentist about the different causes of cavities.  Some of us have tougher enamel on our teeth than others, and those who do, are less prone to cavities, etc..  Your mom could probably use an education too.

You can also ask the dentist if you might use a fluoride rinse every day.

Sorry about your mom... some people just don't have much sense.

Answer 3

Your mother should invest in dental insurance for one thing and for another having three cavities isn't going to cause you to be in dentures when you get older.  What I suggest is that you start eating better.  Look for foods high in calcium and start cutting out the junk food, especially sugary snacks, even "artificial" sweeteners can cause cavities.  You also might want to think about brushing three times a day and get a "milder" toothpaste, one that is less abrasive because abrasive toothpastes can take off the enamel of teeth and that can cause cavities as well.  Look for a toothpaste that strengthens tooth enamel.