My best friend has lots of dental cavities and her mom doesnt know and her family cant afford a dentist!?

Question

OK so today my best friend was complaining on how much her teeth hurt. she has a LOT of cavities cuz she either forgets to brush her teeth, or doesnt have time in the morning (On school days- she only wakes up early enough to either eat breakfast or brush her teeth- she cant do both).

And then her parents don't know about her cavities (REALLY bad thing!!!) and her family can't afford going to the dentist, so thats pretty much why she doesnt tell her folks

well anyway i know this is TOTALLY not a good thing! her teeth could get MUCH worse if she doesnt do anything about it! I'm not sure if she's gonna tell her family or what (most likely not), but I think i should do something about this.

But what could they do even if i DO tell? They cant afford getitng this fixed, but im sure it'll get much worse if they do nothing! I'm confused, i need some advice and what i should do. THANKS!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Yes, you are correct, that your friend needs to get her teeth treated ASAP.  Like you said, little dental problems grow up to be big problems.  What may be a cavity now that can be filled with just a filling, if it goes untreated, will turn into a root canal and a crown, or an extraction.  And if she has multiple cavities, they could all end up needing extractions eventually.

As for your friend not brushing her teeth and the family not being able to afford the treatment, it's a matter of priorities.

Your friend needs to get up earlier and make time to brush and floss her teeth everyday, or her dental problems will continue.  That is a certainty.  If she isn't going to take care of her teeth, after she fixes them she's just going to continue to get more cavities and worse.

As for the family not being able to afford the treatment, there are dental schools that treat patients at a reduced cost, and many states have public health clinics that will do the same.

But back to the priorities, if the family has cell phones, cable tv, cars, they eat meals out, go on vacations, etc, they can afford her dental treatment.  I would think that getting their daughter's teeth fixed should come before all those other extraneous expenses, and if her parents don't feel the same, they should be reported to child protective services because that is criminal.

Sorry to lecture.  It is good that you are concerned, but it's disgusting to see parents who won't take care of their children.

Answer 2

That is a LAME EXCUSE for her not being able to do BOTH.

Anyhow have her apply at the county they should have no -cost medical and dentist if she Qualifies But until then she should START MAKING THE TIME TO BRUSH AND FLOSS FOR THE TIME BEING. GOOD-LUCK

Answer 3

I agree with the last person, but I'm going to be a tad nicer about it. Does she remember to shower? Have her keep a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in the shower. Odds are she watches TV everynight. I floss while I watch TV.

Why don't her parents know? Is she afraid to tell them because of her lack of dental hygiene or does she not want to burden them with the worry and cost?

I'd perhaps talk to a school nurse or teacher at school. Maybe a guidance counselor. The counselors usually know of a lot of resources that your friend can use to help.