Dentistry update
Robin Bentley
Just thought I'd let you know what we decided to do about the dental work for Michelle (I'd posted about this some time ago.) We went to a highly recommended dentist who has privileges at her local hospital to do general anaesthetic work.
Now while I would not want to go to her on a regular basis (too cold and businesslike for me), Michelle likes her (especially the toys they have.) The work is apparently extensive, and the wait is shorter for the hospital in this city as opposed to Children's Hospital in Vancouver. I also feel safer than in a clinic, plus the anaethesia is covered under my medical plan.
I plan to let her come with me in the future to watch how my appointments go, if she's willing. I think I was so afraid of her picking up my fear of dentists, I didn't take her earlier on. As it is, she's picked up on it anyway <sigh>.
She has been receptive to brushing more often - she now has a Scooby-Doo electric toothbrush which she picked out and she lets me do the brushing most of the time. So she is getting comfortable with more "hands in her mouth" than before.
I had to laugh (though my first notion was to cry) at something this new dentist said to me, after she examined Michelle, had asked about what grade she was in and Michelle told her she homeschooled. The dentist then equated tooth decay with homeschooling. She said that being at home and having access to food whenever she wanted was a cause of her decay.
She asked me what she drank and looked surprised when I told her Michelle preferred water and milk to anything sweet to drink. I only thought later that I could have countered with "homeschooled kids have more opportunity to brush their teeth than kids in school, who also eat throughout the day at two recess breaks and lunch with little time for dental hygiene." But she had to latch on to some reason why, I guess. Dentists wouldn't stay in business long if we didn't feel guilty for something we'd done or not done.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts. I really appreciated them.
Robin B.
"This above all, - to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Hamlet I iii 78, William Shakespeare
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Now while I would not want to go to her on a regular basis (too cold and businesslike for me), Michelle likes her (especially the toys they have.) The work is apparently extensive, and the wait is shorter for the hospital in this city as opposed to Children's Hospital in Vancouver. I also feel safer than in a clinic, plus the anaethesia is covered under my medical plan.
I plan to let her come with me in the future to watch how my appointments go, if she's willing. I think I was so afraid of her picking up my fear of dentists, I didn't take her earlier on. As it is, she's picked up on it anyway <sigh>.
She has been receptive to brushing more often - she now has a Scooby-Doo electric toothbrush which she picked out and she lets me do the brushing most of the time. So she is getting comfortable with more "hands in her mouth" than before.
I had to laugh (though my first notion was to cry) at something this new dentist said to me, after she examined Michelle, had asked about what grade she was in and Michelle told her she homeschooled. The dentist then equated tooth decay with homeschooling. She said that being at home and having access to food whenever she wanted was a cause of her decay.
She asked me what she drank and looked surprised when I told her Michelle preferred water and milk to anything sweet to drink. I only thought later that I could have countered with "homeschooled kids have more opportunity to brush their teeth than kids in school, who also eat throughout the day at two recess breaks and lunch with little time for dental hygiene." But she had to latch on to some reason why, I guess. Dentists wouldn't stay in business long if we didn't feel guilty for something we'd done or not done.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts. I really appreciated them.
Robin B.
"This above all, - to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Hamlet I iii 78, William Shakespeare
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/8/2003 8:04:02 PM Central Standard Time,
robinbentley@... writes:
Yep, I removed my son from school as he wasn't getting any tooth decay,
so I thought I would homeschool him.
Lynn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
robinbentley@... writes:
> and Michelle told her she homeschooled. The dentist then equated toothThat is the most insane thing I have heard all month.
> decay with homeschooling. She said that being at home and having access to
> food whenever she wanted was a cause of her decay.
Yep, I removed my son from school as he wasn't getting any tooth decay,
so I thought I would homeschool him.
Lynn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robin Bentley
> That is the most insane thing I have heard all month.Yeah, I know. Made me want to rush out the door, but Michelle was so
> Yep, I removed my son from school as he wasn't getting any tooth decay,
> so I thought I would homeschool him.
> Lynn
comfortable with her, I stayed. Go figure.
Think I'll challenge the dentist's assumptions next time I'm in, however.
Robin B.
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/8/03 9:04:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,
robinbentley@... writes:
the boys can brush more frequently. The lunch food doesn't sit on their
teeth. She believes that homeschoolers have better dental hygiene because
they can brush whenever it is needed.
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
robinbentley@... writes:
> . She said that being at home and having access to food whenever she wantedThat is funny because our pediatric dentist says the opposite. That at home
> was a cause of her decay.
>
>
the boys can brush more frequently. The lunch food doesn't sit on their
teeth. She believes that homeschoolers have better dental hygiene because
they can brush whenever it is needed.
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robin Bentley
Those were my thoughts, too. And really in our case, it's fear of dentists
and having her teeth touched or cleaned that is more of the problem. I'm
hoping that we can reduce the fear, and the dental health will follow.
Robin B.
Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
and having her teeth touched or cleaned that is more of the problem. I'm
hoping that we can reduce the fear, and the dental health will follow.
Robin B.
> That is funny because our pediatric dentist says the opposite. That athome
> the boys can brush more frequently. The lunch food doesn't sit on theirthe moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner,
> teeth. She believes that homeschoolers have better dental hygiene because
> they can brush whenever it is needed.
> Pam G.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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nellebelle
Well, my kids had fevers and sore throats this week. Dh said he hoped they
didn't watch TV all day. I said yep, that will give you a sore throat.
Fortunately, he realized how ridiculous his comment was.
Mary Ellen
----- snip-----> That is the most insane thing I have heard all month.
didn't watch TV all day. I said yep, that will give you a sore throat.
Fortunately, he realized how ridiculous his comment was.
Mary Ellen
----- snip-----> That is the most insane thing I have heard all month.
> Yep, I removed my son from school as he wasn't getting any tooth decay,
> so I thought I would homeschool him.
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/8/03 8:13:41 PM, genant2@... writes:
<< That is funny because our pediatric dentist says the opposite. That at
home
the boys can brush more frequently. The lunch food doesn't sit on their
teeth. She believes that homeschoolers have better dental hygiene because
they can brush whenever it is needed. >>
What the hell is it with dentists? They seem to think there are NO factors
involved in tooth decay outside of just brushing and flossing. NOTHING ELSE.
They can't be that simple minded, really, and still have advanced degrees.
What's the deal?
Don't they believe in genetics, nutrition, general health, biochemical
imbalance in saliva?
Oh. I forgot. They believe in flouride.
Sandra
<< That is funny because our pediatric dentist says the opposite. That at
home
the boys can brush more frequently. The lunch food doesn't sit on their
teeth. She believes that homeschoolers have better dental hygiene because
they can brush whenever it is needed. >>
What the hell is it with dentists? They seem to think there are NO factors
involved in tooth decay outside of just brushing and flossing. NOTHING ELSE.
They can't be that simple minded, really, and still have advanced degrees.
What's the deal?
Don't they believe in genetics, nutrition, general health, biochemical
imbalance in saliva?
Oh. I forgot. They believe in flouride.
Sandra
Robin Bentley
What the hell is it with dentists? They seem to think there are NO factors
coming week. Let's see what she has to say....
argument myself through all this. And felt bad about not enforcing more
brushing/flossing. Brainwashed...
supplements in children before the age of 6 or 7. The former head of the
association even apologized for promoting fluoridation during his term. But
that doesn't stop the dentists from pushing it.
Robin B.
> involved in tooth decay outside of just brushing and flossing. NOTHINGELSE.
>I'm going to bring these things up to this dentist when we see her this
> They can't be that simple minded, really, and still have advanced degrees.
> What's the deal?
coming week. Let's see what she has to say....
> Don't they believe in genetics, nutrition, general health, biochemicalYou know I just realized that *I* fell for the brushing and flossing
> imbalance in saliva?
argument myself through all this. And felt bad about not enforcing more
brushing/flossing. Brainwashed...
>In 2000, the Canadian Dental Association advised against fluoride
> Oh. I forgot. They believe in flouride.
supplements in children before the age of 6 or 7. The former head of the
association even apologized for promoting fluoridation during his term. But
that doesn't stop the dentists from pushing it.
Robin B.
Have a Nice Day!
I'm so glad we didn't use flouride. I was just too disorganized to remember to give them the tablets.
Kristen
Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: Robin Bentley
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 12:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Dentistry update
What the hell is it with dentists? They seem to think there are NO factors
> involved in tooth decay outside of just brushing and flossing. NOTHING
ELSE.
>
> They can't be that simple minded, really, and still have advanced degrees.
> What's the deal?
I'm going to bring these things up to this dentist when we see her this
coming week. Let's see what she has to say....
> Don't they believe in genetics, nutrition, general health, biochemical
> imbalance in saliva?
You know I just realized that *I* fell for the brushing and flossing
argument myself through all this. And felt bad about not enforcing more
brushing/flossing. Brainwashed...
>
> Oh. I forgot. They believe in flouride.
In 2000, the Canadian Dental Association advised against fluoride
supplements in children before the age of 6 or 7. The former head of the
association even apologized for promoting fluoridation during his term. But
that doesn't stop the dentists from pushing it.
Robin B.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mary Bianco
>From: "nellebelle" <nellebelle@...><<Well, my kids had fevers and sore throats this week. Dh said he hoped
they didn't watch TV all day. I said yep, that will give you a sore throat.
Fortunately, he realized how ridiculous his comment was.>>
Well gee no wonder my kids aren't getting bette quicker, they've been
watching too much tv and movies!!!! We have the fever sore throat thing here
too. Joe brought home some lovely bug for us all. Poor little Joseph got the
worst of it. After fever and sore throat it headed to his nose and now a
nasty cough. Sierra had fever and sore throat and the baby just fever
although I think her throat hurt a bit too. I'm half getting it half not for
the past 3 days. The baby is the only one that was only sick a day. Tara is
immune. Tough kid. Poor Joseph is so sick of feeling like doing nothing he
wonders around the house just trying to figure out what he feels like doing.
Too sick to play yet tired of tv.
Sorry I rambled, I hate having sick kids.
Mary B
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Shyrley
"Have a Nice Day!" wrote:
We've never used Flouride toothpaste and the area the kids grew up in England didn't have flouride in the water (Thankyou Pure water campaign!)
I accidenty let slip to our first American dentist these little facts. He spent ages with his pick pulling and poking hard at the kids teeth to find 'soft spots'. Eventually Rhodri said 'are you trying to
make holes so you can earn money?'. I've never seen a dentist poke so hard with his pick. It pulled the kids heads around.
The dentist got a bit stroppy after that and said I misut have given the kids flouride cos he couldn't find any holes (kids are 10, 9 and 7) and its impossible to get to that age without cavities. I
pointed out that I'm 34 and don't have any cavities either. I also told him that flouride is a neurotoxin and as I have MS I would never dream f using something that affects the nervous system.
We ain't going back to see that one.
Shyrley
> I'm so glad we didn't use flouride. I was just too disorganized to remember to give them the tablets.There are tablets? Jeez......
>
> Kristen
>
We've never used Flouride toothpaste and the area the kids grew up in England didn't have flouride in the water (Thankyou Pure water campaign!)
I accidenty let slip to our first American dentist these little facts. He spent ages with his pick pulling and poking hard at the kids teeth to find 'soft spots'. Eventually Rhodri said 'are you trying to
make holes so you can earn money?'. I've never seen a dentist poke so hard with his pick. It pulled the kids heads around.
The dentist got a bit stroppy after that and said I misut have given the kids flouride cos he couldn't find any holes (kids are 10, 9 and 7) and its impossible to get to that age without cavities. I
pointed out that I'm 34 and don't have any cavities either. I also told him that flouride is a neurotoxin and as I have MS I would never dream f using something that affects the nervous system.
We ain't going back to see that one.
Shyrley
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/9/03 10:31:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,
shyrley.williams@... writes:
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
shyrley.williams@... writes:
> that and said I misut have given the kids flouride cos he couldn't find anyOh yes, you lied just to make him look bad. Don't we all. LOL
> holes
Pam G.
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[email protected]
Fluoride a neurotoxin? I would love to know your references on this. I also
believe fluoride creates many problems and won't let my kids have it, along
with many other things the world THINKS is so great! (I don't vaccinate
either, and birthed both my daughters at home -- last one 6 months ago was an
unassisted birth here at home, just my hubby and me -- if that tells you
anything about me. ;-))
Anyway, would love to hear more about it. Guess fluoride could be grouped in
with nutrasweet and MSG as a neurotoxin, huh? I wonder what else they push
on us causes nerve damage.
JenW
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
believe fluoride creates many problems and won't let my kids have it, along
with many other things the world THINKS is so great! (I don't vaccinate
either, and birthed both my daughters at home -- last one 6 months ago was an
unassisted birth here at home, just my hubby and me -- if that tells you
anything about me. ;-))
Anyway, would love to hear more about it. Guess fluoride could be grouped in
with nutrasweet and MSG as a neurotoxin, huh? I wonder what else they push
on us causes nerve damage.
JenW
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Heidi Wordhouse-Dykema
You might want to consider going through some back issues (in the last
year, give or take a month or two) of Mothering Magazine. There was an
article there on some new research that shows *some* forms of tooth decay
are not from not brushing, but arise from viral vectors. It seems they may
be passed on from adult to child by something as simple as a motherly kiss.
Something to look into, anyway.
HeidiWD
year, give or take a month or two) of Mothering Magazine. There was an
article there on some new research that shows *some* forms of tooth decay
are not from not brushing, but arise from viral vectors. It seems they may
be passed on from adult to child by something as simple as a motherly kiss.
Something to look into, anyway.
HeidiWD
Heidi Wordhouse-Dykema
><<Well, my kids had fevers and sore throats this week. Dh said he hopedPlease, if everyone could ask each other to wash their hands a bit more
>Well gee no wonder my kids aren't getting bette quicker, they've been
>watching too much tv and movies!!!! We have the fever sore throat thing here
>too. Joe brought home some lovely bug for us all. Poor little Joseph got the
frequently for a while...
We're just emerging from a rousing case of (any guesses?) Whooping
Cough! 100% of the vaccinated people got it, 50% of the not-vaccinated
people got it. So, if you've been vaccinated for pertussis, watch
out! There's a seriously nasty strain running around out there.
Why do I get everything I've been vaccinated against? Is polio next?!?
HeidiWD
Robin Bentley
Thanks, Heidi. I think I remember it. I have that issue somewhere so I'll
check it out for backup for the appointment. She does have teeth like mine,
after all. Soft & mushy!
Robin B.
check it out for backup for the appointment. She does have teeth like mine,
after all. Soft & mushy!
Robin B.
> You might want to consider going through some back issues (in the lastmay
> year, give or take a month or two) of Mothering Magazine. There was an
> article there on some new research that shows *some* forms of tooth decay
> are not from not brushing, but arise from viral vectors. It seems they
> be passed on from adult to child by something as simple as a motherlykiss.
>
> Something to look into, anyway.
> HeidiWD
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/9/2003 6:56:46 PM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
HTH,
Mary
<A HREF="http://www.fluoridealert.org/">Fluoride Action Network - Information about Fluoridation and Fluoride</A>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected] writes:
> I alsoHere's a link to lots of flouride information.
> believe fluoride creates many problems and won't let my kids have it, along
>
> with many other things the world THINKS is so great!
HTH,
Mary
<A HREF="http://www.fluoridealert.org/">Fluoride Action Network - Information about Fluoridation and Fluoride</A>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]