Kid dies from toothache

[deepspace]

WASHINGTON - Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.

A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.

By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George's County boy died.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17372104/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17372104/page/2/

I think that it is the kid's own damn fault that he died.
Had he brushed, and flossed his teeth regulary, he wouldn't have had these oral health problems.

I would think that even the poorest of poor in America, could afford a toothbrush and some toothpaste, which I believe, only costs about $5.00 or less. If you can afford to eat, then you can afford to take care of your teeth on your own.

You only need to replace a toothbrush when the bristles get worn out.
A tube of toothpaste lasts about a month when used regulary.
Floss is very cheap also.

Some morons are using this story as "proof" that America needs universal socialized health and dental care.

But why should we feel sorry for this loser kid who was too lazy to brush his teeth?
The kid's brother apparently has six rotten teeth which are untreated.

If you can't afford fillings, then don't get cavities in the first place.

Discuss.

[JakeHero]

Ugh, I can only swallow so many embellishments in one sitting.

[uhnoesanoob]

Its the kid 's parents fault not him. Had they made him brush his teeth or taken him to the dentist. Legally the blame lies within the parents for not taking care of their son. And also morally the parents should have done something...its not his fault.

[RydiaLockheart]

Why were the parents not teavhing their kids proper dental hygiene or taking them to the dentist? Six-year-olds are terrible brushers. When I was that age, I only thought I had to brush the front of my teeth.

Out here, we had a woman convicted of neglect for not taking her kid to the dentist when he developed some severe problems. I wouldn't be surprised if the parents are charged.

[deepspace]

At 3/1/07 09:18 PM, RydiaLockheart wrote: Why were the parents not teavhing their kids proper dental hygiene or taking them to the dentist? Six-year-olds are terrible brushers. When I was that age, I only thought I had to brush the front of my teeth.

The kid was twelve, I would think that he should know how to brush properly at that age.

But the parents are at fault if they didn't teach that kid oral hygene.

I honestly wouldn't know whether or not the parents tried to do anything about it.
But I'm giving the parents the beneifit of the doubt.

[Korriken]

I've had toothaches before, and i've had to have a couple pulled, and the pain is almost unbearable, so there is no way in the deepest hotting sections of hell that the parents would not have noticed his screams of agony.

even if you are dirt poor you should still get your kid to a dentist if his/her teeth decay and begin throbbing, thats common sense! its not like the dentist is gonna tell you to leave if you explain that you have no money and need to set up some sort of payment plan to get your child's tooth pulled.

[Cheekyvincent]

the kids dumb and on welfare

[fastbow]

No, what America needs is parenting liscences.

[BlueEyesWhiteDevil]

What a crock.

[PingBad]

At 3/2/07 01:56 PM, fastbow wrote: No, what America needs is parenting liscences.

One would figure thats what marriage licenses imply...

[Elfer]

At 3/3/07 07:28 AM, PingBad wrote:

At 3/2/07 01:56 PM, fastbow wrote: No, what America needs is parenting liscences.

One would figure thats what marriage licenses imply...

Yes, women go through puberty instantly once they are granted a marriage license.

[random8982]

It's highly possible for something like this to happen from a mere toothache, granted that the tothace is bacterial or viral based. My Aunt came down with Bellespaulsy (spelling?) from a cavity.

Incase it's spelled wrong, Bellespaulsy causes a persons muscles to go slack and incappable of function. You can generally get it anywhere in your body and it is often mistaken with the signs of a stroke. It lasts for an undetermined amount of time.

[sammi43055]

Wow...that is crazy. It is almost as bad as hearing about the kid in my area that died from playing "the choking game"....

[TSCom]

Shit. I never thought of something like that happening. I guess it is possible.

[random8982]

At 3/3/07 06:33 PM, sammi43055 wrote: Wow...that is crazy. It is almost as bad as hearing about the kid in my area that died from playing "the choking game"....

If the kid was playing 'the choking game,' he almost had it coming....come on...how stupid can people get....

sigh

[phantom-drummer]

The original poster is right in some ways to say that the kid should have brushed better and frequently, but most likely the parents will be subject to a court ruling based on negligence. On the other hand, calling him a loser and burdening the outcome of the situation on the poor kid's shoulders is pretty cruel. Yes, he may have been old enough to KNOW how to brush his teeth. But, do you honestly think a 6th grader has the maturity to devote the right amount of time and proper technique to his teeth in the same way an adult would? Especially having the parents he had (didnt bother to tell their children to brush their teeth). It's an even mixture of both if you ask me. This proves that some people are not at all ready to be parents, nor do they carry the ethic to even give a damn.

[hhcash]

Toothaches but a result in death must make it 2 times more hell.

[Parigod]

­

[Gunter45]

At 3/1/07 09:18 PM, RydiaLockheart wrote: Why were the parents not teavhing their kids proper dental hygiene or taking them to the dentist? Six-year-olds are terrible brushers. When I was that age, I only thought I had to brush the front of my teeth.

Out here, we had a woman convicted of neglect for not taking her kid to the dentist when he developed some severe problems. I wouldn't be surprised if the parents are charged.

I completely agree. This is a complete and utter oversight of the parents. When I was a kid, I hated brushing my teeth, but my mom would make sure I got into the habit of brushing well and flossing. I'll admit, I wasn't always on top of it when I was a kid, but I did it regularly enough. I've never had a cavity, part of that is genetics, but another part is the simple fact that I'm not a disgusting pig and some of that has to do with what my mom instilled in me.

[Pennmannen]

That kid failed at oral hygiene.

[AIDSextravaganza]

you dont know anything about this kid so you shouldnt talk shit
and oral hygiene is actually pretty damn expensive when your family has no money and are struggle just to have food on the table and a roof over their head
i have friends who can barely afford such things
as a result im inclined to inform you to think before you write stupid comments
anyway a child died
a child and ur calling him a loser
he never had a chance to live and grow up
he couldve become a senator a president
death isnt funny
and its not right for anyone to say stupid negative remarks when death has occurred
it really shows what kind of person you are

[morefngdbs]

I see in the news that there are people attempting to use his death to get a goverment sponsored/paid dental care system in place for children.
I find it so sad that a child has to die ,befor something is done to help children get the type of inexpensive care that would have been able to save this persons life.

I don't believe criticism of the child, or the parents, does anything to help when something this tragic happens to a child in what is suppose to be one of the most powerful & richest countries on the planet.

[deepspace]

At 3/5/07 03:14 PM, AIDSextravaganza wrote: you dont know anything about this kid so you shouldnt talk shit
and oral hygiene is actually pretty damn expensive when your family has no money and are struggle just to have food on the table and a roof over their head

Actually, a toothbrush, some toothpaste, and floss are inexpensive. You can get each item for a dollar at the dollar store. Only $3.00

Now dental care on the other hand can be expensive, but a dental cleaing is only needed occasionally with regular brushing. A cavity filling, crown, or root canals and other restorative treatments are expensive but are not needed with good oral hygene.

i have friends who can barely afford such things

How poor do you have to be to not be able to afford $3.00 of dental equipment? Unless you live in a third-world country, everyone should have the access and ability to practice good oral hygene.

as a result im inclined to inform you to think before you write stupid comments
anyway a child died
a child and ur calling him a loser
he never had a chance to live and grow up
he couldve become a senator a president

At first, I was given the impression that the kid just did not brush his teeth. But now, I realize it could have very easily have been his parents fault for being negligent. I was overly harsh.
The situation is not so clear.

It could have been the kid's fault, or the kid's parents fault, or both could be at fault.

death isnt funny

I didn't think the kid's death was funny. I was just indifferent about it.

and its not right for anyone to say stupid negative remarks when death has occurred
it really shows what kind of person you are

Death happens all the time. We all eventually face death. I admit, I was in bad taste but I originally thought that the kid had every chance to brush. I assumed his parents brushed their teeth regualarly, so I thought that the kid surely could have brushed as well.

[GoryBlizzard]

This is the second time I've read a story like this. I recall something similar happening two years ago to someone else, and that's why I always feel paranoid whenever I get a bad toothache (which is very rare).