Braces

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Because we don't have enough to worry about, fate has sent us a new financial concern:  Braces for the pre-teen.

I had braces in 7th and 8th grade, but I also had a terrible overbite. Mr. Poorhouse did not have braces, and his teeth remain straight.

Twelve year old Prissy Poorhouse has very straight teeth, but a very small mouth. The dentist anticipates braces next year when her permanent teeth are almost all in.

Braces in my area apparently run $5-6K. Of course they do.

How bad a parent am I if I say, "Hey kid, your smile looks fine to me. If you want to get it fixed to perfection after you're grown, knock yourself out."?