[tri-med] Re: orthodontics

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karen" <karens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> People react to what they see, especially first impressions. Often its not
> even conscious. I think that its this that makes it important for them to
> have nice teeth.

So true.....unfair but that's the way it is!

We've just noticed that Alex's hair is thining on top. Like he needs THAT to 
make him even more 'different' compared to his peers, on top of all the 
other issues.

> As for not being able to take care of their teeth well enough with 
> braces - > phooey. Anyone who has typical kids of teen and pre teen age 
> will tell you
> its almost impossible to make sure they brush and brush properly, with or 
>  > without braces.

With both Alex AND Molly, I was known to ocassionally corner them in the 
bathroom (yes, as early teens!) and I would brush their teeth. Molly did a 
better job than Alex so he got it more often.
 I didn't care how much they fussed, protested or tried to avoid me, I would 
give 'em a good brushing.
"Mom, I 'm old enough to brush my own teeth" was the common refrain.
Do and good job and I'm outta here was my reply.

Alex tattled on me to the orthodontist. Her reply? Good for your Mom, I 
brushed MY kids teeth too when they had braces. lol
Not the support he was looking for.

For those who don't know, our Alex has a double sharks row of teeth and they 
were jumbled and turned. Unsightly AND a messed up bite.

It took 4 YEARS of braces and 2 oral surgeries to get them straightend out.
Now, $8,000 later, I still harp on him to take care of his oral hygine!!!!!!

Alex's teeth so bad that at the initial consultation the orthodontist told 
us 'I'll be upfront with you, Alex may lose some teeth since we have to 
shift/move them so far'.
She also told Alex, 'Well Alex, you are going to be one of  Dr. Sue's 
biggest challenges.'

When he was finally done the ortho had tears in her eyes and told me that 'I 
didn't even dream or hope that his teeth would have turned out as well as 
they did. I'd have been happy with less than we got!'.


> BTW Alex wants a new mum, he hates me because I made him clean up his room
> yesterday. Anyone up for the job? :-))))) Why do we have to deal with the
> teen angst as well as the trisomy?

There are time right now we're dealing with those early teen 'issues' right 
now, just that developmental delay playing with us.

The older Alex gets the more it is apparent that he's NOT developmentally or 
emotionally 19 years old. It's like the gap is getting wider and it's really 
making it harder to deal with where we are in our lives as a high 
functioning teen trier and parents.

Michelle mom to Alex (19, partial trisomy 14 mosaic) and Molly (16)
MichiganUSA


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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