Is it judgmental to say a child needs braces?

[Barb D]

A certain person (person #1) I know drew a picture of a friend. On the picture was a negative comment about the friend's teeth. I was discussing the picture with the "artist", and told the artist that if the friend had seen the picture, the friend's feeling's might be hurt, since the friend has buck teeth and needs braces.

A certain other person (person #2) I know overheard this conversation, and has accused me of being judgmental and hypocritical, because I claim that there is something wrong with the friend that needs to be fixed. The hypocritical part comes in because person #2 says that I wouldn't say that an overweight person has something wrong that needs to be fixed. For the record, I am overweight.

Question A: Is it judgmental to say that since someone has buck teeth that they need braces?

Question B: Am I being too sensitive by being upset about the comments that person #2 made?

 

[Bojangles]

you need to get some new friends.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I agree with Bojangles, everyone just needs to lighten up!

 

[Barb D]

I should add that person #1 is a child, and is upset that s/he could have hurt his/her friend. S/he understands my concerns, and is sorry. The whole thing would have been over if person #2 hadn't overheard the conversation.

 

[Melora]

I think in general everyone wants to look their best and lets face it, a persons teeth are one of the first thing others see and a heck of a lot of people are very judgemental.

Not to say thats right, but if you can fix something that will make you look better in the long run, I dont see anything wrong with it.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by Barb D
I should add that person #1 is a child

Ok. That makes more sense. I probably wouldn't have said the other child's teeth needed to be fixed. Maybe it's something that can't be fixed...(parents can't afford it, a lot of surgery involved, etc.)

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Question A: Is it judgmental to say that since someone has buck teeth that they need braces?

I know it can look 'mean' to make comments that someone needs braces, but I think it's one of those things that sometimes needs to be said. Face it, we live in a society where a good appearance is absolutely necessary. Everyone needs a nice smile as your teeth are the focus of your face. People with good appearances do better all around in life - in jobs, promotions, dating - no doubt about it.

Saying that someone with buck teeth needs braces sounds like a statement of fact, not judgement. Some parents need a wake-up call on this issue. I can only hope that someone will say something to the parents and get this child the braces he needs! I hate to think of this child growing up with a poor smile, along most likely with being teased and low self-esteem, when it could easily be corrected with braces.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by HugsForEeyore
I hate to think of this child growing up with a poor smile, along most likely with being teased and low self-esteem, when it could easily be corrected with braces.

Sad, but not all parents have thousands of dollars to spend on dental work that most insurance companies consider cosmetic.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Bojangles said:

but not all parents have thousands of dollars to spend on dental work that most insurance companies consider cosmetic.

Very true, and very sad! Boy can I relate - I desperately needed braces as a kid and my parents refused to pay for them. They never thought it was important. I was teased mercilessly and called 'ugly' for years by classmates. So now as an adult (with no dental insurance), I saved for years the necessary $9000 for oral surgery and braces, and finally got them last year. My teeth already look so much better, and I have no regrets.

Today's parents need to find a way - save money, find a payment plan - when their child has a poor appearance because of their teeth. I don't want any children to grow up as I did!