The New Unexpected Expense and the Price of Nice Teeth

And just like clockwork, here it is another couple of months later and I have a brand spanking new unexpected expense. I have started the small savings account at ING for this purpose, but since that was just a couple months ago, I am in no way prepared for the new expense.

I will not keep you in suspense any longer, it is the cost of caring for teeth. Dental expenses. And I just found out that this necessity will cost around $500 for my daughter, plus cleanings and whatever else is added on. I’m guessing about $800 for both of us.

<sigh> Why can’t I just be the parent that says we’ll wait til the teeth fall out?

Here is why:

1.  Teeth Matter. When you are 6 and your teeth are jacked up, I’m guessing it has a long term effect on your self esteem. I don’t want to be responsible for that.

2.  Teeth Matter. We have teeth for the sole purpose of breaking down large chunks of meat and things and having rotten teeth or less than adequately performing teeth I’m sure affect that process negatively.

So, my only choice is to set up a payment plan and pay the dentist. I have to admit in comparison to my medical bills (which I am close to paying off) the dental bill is pennies. I was just crossing my fingers and hoping that we would never ever need to go to the doctor again for the rest of our lives, thus never ever incurring anymore medical bills.

I forgot about teeth though. Okay, I didn’t really forget. When those two teeth on the bottom came out and new ones grew in slightly crooked, all I could think about for days was the future cost of braces. But that’s way in the future, I figured by then I would win the lottery and wouldn’t have a problem torturing my daughter with braces. I did not anticipate a big dental bill already.

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My teeth were oddly crooked when I was younger. My parents paid for braces. Actually, I had every piece of equipment for teeth that was invented at the time. Headgear, rubberbands, retainer, braces. All of it. I may have been a short step from that process where they just knock out all of your teeth and replace them with wood or plastic. Luckily though, my parents paid the thousands that were required back then for nice teeth. It does matter, by the way. And to them I am grateful.

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I am not complaining. Not really. I just wish there were a list of expenses for children and I wish I had planned for those expenses 10 years ago. I’d have plenty by now for unexpected expenses. Just in case, I better start saving for those braces…