We don’t often share a post that isn’t related to thriftiness in some way….but this is really relevant. In a way, it is an issue that could cost all of us parents a lot more money!
The issue that can cause us a lot more money is named: Modern Dental Technology!
Let us explain (read in a flowing English-like accent for added emphasis): Earlier today, our lovely 7-year old and eldest of all the Thrifty Kids kindly asked for a Starburst after acing her home spelling test. I was agreeable to the request and ever so carefully handed the sweet little morsel to her and explained to enjoy it thoroughly as she doesn’t get them often.
“Mmmmm mom I really am enjoying this,” was the sweet 7-year old reply as she followed her statement up with a question, “why are we not able to eat them often?” She seriously asked in those exact words.
“Well, darling…..candy, sugar and sweets can be quite a terrible nemesis to your mouth and your lovely pearly whites! You might end up with one of those oh so terrible little mouth bugs called cavities, ” was my reply.
“Hmmm…” was her response this time.
I continued, “You’ve already had to have one fixed and you don’t want to have to do it again!”
“But mom” was the next words uttered from the sweet girls mouth, “getting my cavity fixed was so much fun! I got to lay back and watch a movie on the ceiling, and then I got a prize after. It wasn’t terrible at all!”
Thus the ears of the three younger children perked up and now they all want cavities!
My point in this silly, but very true story is that we are in trouble! When I was a child, the dentist was the last place I wanted to be. Getting cavities filled was not a piece of cake nor a walk in the park. After my first cavity, I did my best to take care of my teeth as I didn’t want to experience this turmoil again. But now, with the ease, even enjoyment of getting a cavity repaired, watching a movie from the ceiling and getting a prize – we are in trouble!
Even recently, I shared on our Facebook page that I would be undergoing a root canal from a recent tooth injury. I was scared! But afterwards, I couldn’t believe how much of a breeze it really was with the modern dental technology! So I can partly understand where our 7-year old is coming from with today’s technology!
So the fact that the visit to the dentist itself is not enough to deter today’s children from preventing cavities – let’s just say it could get a great deal more expensive 
Disclaimer: Although this is a fun and silly satire, we just wanted to share a fun post and well…. sorta, kinda display our families personalities to you a little more. You see, being behind this computer screen all day, sometimes you can’t get to know us very well. Our toddler sums up our family’s personality quite well in his phrase, “We just be quirky like that!” We hope you enjoyed our silly way of sharing how we are experiencing a serious concern here in our home today!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
too funny!
You know my younger kids LOVE the dentist. They have video games and all sorts of fun things. My older kids however hate going to the dentist because of the floride rinse. They are begging me not to find a new dentist now that we’ve moved!
Toni
Well, we’re hoping the next child to go in won’t have so much fun and deter all the rest from that point! Our oldest is such a positive person and looks at everything that way. It is wonderful most of the time…..
Amen!
LOL, I wish my poor niece felt that way, she is terrified to death of the dentist.
My 8 year old had to have a root canal on her back bottom molar because of a small crack she got from intensely grinding her teeth night after night. Oh goodness I was sick for days about it. However, she said that the first shot hurt, but after that there was no pain and she didn’t have any pain afterwards. Wow we were so relieved! So I guess there is the good and bad with the latest dental technlogies. Oh and since this is a frugal site, I must share that we actually had it done at a dental school by an endo specialist student. Since the regular dentist wouldn’t do it because it was so tricky, we were looking at a $5,000 bill from an endo specialist…who wouldn’t take our insurance. Our dentist gave my daughter’s case to the dental school and after a week of review, they agreed to do it free of charge. We had to travel 2 hours, but we couldn’t be happier. They were even able to finish all their work in one afternoon. PTL
Wow Kelly – very impressed by the thriftiness! We had insurance then, but due to our recent career changes, we no longer have dental insurance and will be finding creative ways to save on dental care – what a great idea!
I had a root canal recently, and I remember cavities as a kid being so much more painful, uncomfortable, etc. than this recent root canal! Amazing!
Sooo True!!!
MY orthodontist has 2 Video game stations right as you walk in. And a TV playing a movie (like Pirates of the Caribbean etc) at EVERY chair! And if that is not enough, upon completion of whatever is being done that day, you get wooden tokens or small chips which can be exchanged or turned in for prizes like toys, games, and gift cards to food places like Starbucks.
What is even funnier, is that she was such a good patient, that she also received a coupon for a free kids meal at a local taco place. She was so excited about the coupon and was making the office laugh as she said that her mommy and daddy were going to be so excited that she came home with a coupon for FREE stuff because we love coupons! It was so cute and the staff thought she was such a hoot!
Way too funny! Our technology has made even going to the dentist a treat! My how times have changed!