u/faylillman

mild SPOILER VIBES

I gotta imagine it will be stacked. Hopefully the right person DMs him and he can move on from this BS.

Bring back the rubber chicken and goofy clothes!

1. Why does it take so long for the wax to melt?

2. Why am I so tempted to start with a Brazilian rather than something less intense, like my leg?

3. I’ll provide updates, provided I don’t pass out

My son has yellow teeth.

He brushes twice a day, swishes with water after eating, uses mouth wash. Our flossing isn’t perfect, but we are working on it.

Our dentist says we are doing a good job with hygiene, and sometimes it is just genetics. It doesn’t help that his resting face includes open lips, which cause dry teeth and can increase yellowing. He is working on keeping his lips closed, and breathing through his nose, but it is hard due to severe seasonal allergies.

He has been bullied about his yellow teeth. That’s largely been resolved, but sometimes kids bring it up (more as a question or advice than bullying at this point).

He is extremely insecure about his teeth, and begging to get them whitened before he starts middle school in the fall, but I’ve read that whitening isn’t recommended until all mature teeth are in and have had time to fully harden (generally 2 years after they are in). 14-16 is the normal age recommended for whitening, so quite a ways away.

I’m tempted to help him whiten just his front teeth (with hard enamel), to help his self esteem, but he may also need braces (talking with an orthodontist) and I don’t want to weaken his enamel before adding more teeth treatments.

Where I’m struggling is I’m getting mixed advice. I’ve talked to a few dentists and orthodontists and some are opening to whitening because they don’t think it will be TOO harmful and his self esteem is more important than some damage to his teeth. Others are FERVENTLY against it.

Any advice on parenting here? Would you prioritize self esteem as he is going into a new school and middle school can be rough? Or should I just continue to work on the mental health end through reminding him that looks aren’t everything, etc. (he has a therapist who is equally torn on this topic).