Just a 46-year-old mom of 2 in Northern California. My kids are Monkey Monkey(MM) and Drama Llama (DL). I am married to Monkey Hubby (MH). I don't think of August as a crazed month. At all. But August 2008 is just CRAZY.
So, here's a rundown of yesterday.
*****Dental quote of $2500 to fill 11 cavities for BM.
Yes, ELEVEN.
Worst part of it? 2 molars in each quadrant (where is teeth are so close together - both teeth touching have cavities). Plus some on his top front teeth. MEans FIVE visits.
& as somewhat naturalists I am not terribly pleased he needs to get injected with novacaine or whatever, FIVE times. Egads.
He just turned FIVE a couple of weeks back.
Cause - dh's genes. I blame him. Grrrrrrrr.
Of course, as such, would not be a fan of knocking him out. But part of you wonders if that would be better. I know, probably not. But just, poor kid.
Hopefully flossing will prevent future cavities. The kid could not eat any better.
The plus on all this? There are some pluses. Charged for consult but free x-rays. (Phew). Were very nice. The plus is Dr. said we caught early. There is a fine line between cavity and root canal in children - their enamel is just so thin. He was scaring the hell out of me. I am grateful for my dentist catching them. They didn't tell me anything my trusted dentist didn't already, really. My dentist said his mouth was full of cavities and the course of action was fillings. They agreed.
Other plus is they guess only 7 cavities. But quoted me 11. His teeth are so close together (which is the cause of the cavities) that they can't really tell if they will need to fill them all, until they start drilling the worse ones and looking at the neighboring teeth at that point.
Ugh.
So final cost will be in the range of $1k - $3k (they may find more, though at least that is doubtful). & even if they only fill 7 now, there are a few of his more long-term molars to keep an eye on.
His 2 front bottom teeth. Clearly on the way out, from his x-rays. They are like the only ones with NO cavities. Figures...
***Chuck E Cheese!!! The Chuck E Cheese by our house is horrid and run down and we avoid it like the plague.
BUT the kids really wanted to go. For BM's birthday - that was his choice.
We finally got around to it last night. Feeling bad for his dental plight and all.
Coupon for a large 2-topping pizza, 4 sodas, and 50 tokens, for $24.99.
!!
The place was empty on a week night (no doubt with the economy as well). & it was clean. Nothing was broken. They even had new stuff.
No way!!
So we actually had a pleasant time and could see going back.
We also had a coupon for 100 tokens for $15. I Could see going back for that. Skip the food. Though we were surprised though the pizza wasn't really that bad, we just expected it to be worse. But yeah, we can skip the food next time. Still a great place to go.
I know, last thing BM needed was that soda...
Of course, I see why they do it that way. Try to get you to buy more food and more tokens and all that. We didn't spend a penny over $25.
The kids won some cheap prizes, and we went on our merry way.
With the coupons I could see going back monthly. Entertainment these days hardly gets cheaper/better than that.
I am so relieved they fixed the place up a bit.
***CEC was over by Mervyn's so I stopped by because I REALLY need new pants. I mean, they are fading and they have these professional pants that fit so well.
I went over and couldn't find the pants, but found a gorgeous dress for $25. I was on the fence, but when a dress fits (rare) I buy it.
I can't decide if it is appropriate for work. Will work for casual/night out kind of thing. I likey.
I made a mental note of some stuff I need but just couldn't find anything. I need to hit a thrift shop. I really haven't bought much in the way of clothes this year.
You could argue if I could justify this purchase. We have much to save for this month. But, well, it was a nice treat. 
I was thinking maybe I could look online for the pants. *sigh*
Tops are easy to find, which I guess is good, to easily spice up a wardrobe. But pants and dresses are my arch-nemesis or something. Bah. I've just been avoiding it... Just one more thing I NEED.
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Anyway, as far as the dentist... We have the cash and we will survive. It just really took the wind out of my sails yesterday. Not something I would have predicted in a million years. That my child has 11 cavities. Ugh!
I'll Elaborate Later...
August 14th, 2008 at 08:15 pm
August 14th, 2008 at 08:21 pm 1218745275
August 14th, 2008 at 08:38 pm 1218746302
August 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm 1218752148
I guess the good is this place seems to be WONDERFUL with kids. I think BM will be in good hands.
& I also had to be clear - I have never turned down novacaine for a dental procedure. !! I would prefer not to inject his mouth full of drugs, on many occasions. But I certainly see why it is warranted.
ccfree - I have a number of friends with 3 & 4yos with cavities and I admit I was rather judgemental. This is my payback. I don't think any of them had near so many as my son. *sigh* I can only hope LM has better teeth. & I guess we can be proactive and floss his teeth stating now.
Reminds me though - I heard lasers for fillings are the new rage. (painless/no drugs). If only this were a few years later...
August 15th, 2008 at 01:24 am 1218763444
I honestly think I got bad teeth genes from my dad. My mom has great teeth, even through having braces and being poor as a kid. She's always instilled that in us, I used the in-between-the-braces brush when I had braces, even rinsed with LISTERINE when I was 10. And still, every time I went to the orthodontist, it was never good enough. Is it possible to have bad teeth genes?
August 15th, 2008 at 03:15 am 1218770152
I sure think so. My mother has all kinds of problems with her teeth, and I was told as a child that I had "soft" teeth. And, my dad didn't allow much sugar in our diet even then. I also have inherited a placque problem. My mother has to have extra cleanings a year, and at one time, I had to go every three months, too. My DS now has the placque problem. We just seem to produce a lot of it or something. I brush often, so I wonder what it would be like if I didn't! Poor little guy. I feel for him.
August 15th, 2008 at 03:21 am 1218770483
Please don't think he is doomed to have bad teeth forever. I only had cavities once ... And like your son, it was a ton all at once (can't remember exactly ... but I think it was 5 or 6, and I was somewhere around 6-8 years old). Since then, I've never had a new cavity (did have to have the old ones replaced eventually).
August 15th, 2008 at 04:12 am 1218773544
That's a lot of cavities for a little kid. My daughter had one and though our current dentist is fantastic, it was not a great experience. You might discuss the general anesthesia idea with your dentist because it might be less traumatic to get it all done at once.
Good luck to you both! Poor BM!
August 15th, 2008 at 12:19 pm 1218802774
There's a condition called Amelogensis Imperfecta. The link shows an extreme example, so don't be scared by it. Still, what it illustrates is that, indeed, genetics do play some role in the condition of one's teeth. Much milder forms that may lead to the relative strength teeth enamel is entirely possible.
Oh! And let me also add that it's worth shopping around for dentists. I've had one extraction that one dentist quoted 3k, and eventually had it done by another dentist for $300.
August 15th, 2008 at 03:14 pm 1218813275
I was doing teeth duty last night (usually dh) and I could see them plan as day on his front teeth. I think when you can see them they are bad.
The plus is dh had horrible baby teeth but gets praise from my dentist for having such great teeth. So yeah, there is hope. These are ALL baby teeth - all he has.
I also don't take great care of my teeth but have never really had any problems. I know I am on the lucky side. If I had a choice - bad baby teeth is better than bad adult teeth - for sure. I had neither though.
August 15th, 2008 at 03:15 pm 1218813348
I've had a few quotes for $3k when nothing is wrong in my mouth. This is completely different I hate to say. *sigh* IT's real and I don't know anyone who will charge less for fillings, except my dentist back home who is only very slightly cheaper ($2200 instead of $2500) and refuses to fill a 5-year-olds cavities anyway. Oh well.
They will do a much better job, sicne they gear to the little kids, but overall have found them to be reasonably priced.
August 15th, 2008 at 05:06 pm 1218819965
August 16th, 2008 at 12:25 am 1218846304
Again, good luck!
August 16th, 2008 at 01:40 pm 1218894052