26 y/o female When I was about 10 I went with my mother to her lifelong best friend's home where she had 3 children (one much older son, one son a few years older, and a daughter the same age as me). I decided I wanted to spend the night and have a sleepover with the daughter, my mom agreed and said she would pick me up the next day. That night the daughter and middle son wanted to "play house" where we took our clothes off and played in bed like a husband and wife. They proceeded to touch me and rub on me for hours. I knew something was wrong but I didn't understand what had happened. After we got home the next day I was laying in bed when my mom came in to say her friend had called and said that her daughter was acting very strange, my mom asked me what we did at their house and I said we just played. Fast forward years later, in college I started struggling with the fact that this had happened and no one knew that I felt violated and that these kids probably did this to other people. I had some anxiety issues and was seeing a therapist so I brought it up and she suggested that I tell my mom to get it off my chest. When I told my mom she responded "I had a feeling something happened, thats why we never saw them again".... The response I got really bothered me even more than the actual molestation. I felt like she knew her child was fucked with and did nothing about it. A few years later I brought it up again and just said, I wanted to know what she thought about the whole thing and she said she does think about it, that she doesn't want my father to ever know because he will hate her. After I let that settle I feel even more pissed off... my parents are my best friends, we share everything. Sometimes I feel like my dad doesn't understand me and I want him to know everything about me because I think he might have more respect for me knowing I went through something like this. On top of this all - this girl works at a restaurant close to my parents house and we sometimes go there even though I beg not to. I'm like I don't like running into her and my dad says get over it and my mom is silent.... We see her and my parents catch up with her all chipper. It's infuriating to communicate with her. Does my mom seriously think it's okay to have put me in that situation and then expect my lips to be sealed for life. My Mom is my best friend and an amazing person. I'm just so disappointed. I vented all of this to my boyfriend and he was so understanding, it reassured me that I wasn't crazy for having these feelings.

1. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic
Specialists of Michigan
Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Healthy Teeth Makes for a
Happy Life

2. Helping Your Child Lead a
Happy and Healthy Life
 When it comes to their children, parents will do nearly anything to
provide the best life possible. Luckily one of the easiest ways to
ensure that your child enjoys a happy life is to also ensure that
they lead a healthy life - especially with regard to their teeth.
Here are a few reasons why a healthy mouth can lead to bigger
smiles.
 According to HG News, poor attention to dental care can be linked
to behavioral and developmental problems in children. Because
lack of dental care can lead to an inability to properly chew (and
therefore, digest) food, children with dental problems may
become malnourished. Malnourishment can lead to a variety of
problems in children, including stunted growth and maturity, gum
disease, and social, learning, or psychological problems.

3. Helping Your Child Lead a
Happy and Healthy Life
• Aside from physical health problems, it is also possible that lack of care for teeth
can cause a significant detriment to a child’s outer appearance. If a child is
uncomfortable with the way his or her teeth look, it is likely that self-esteem
issues may emerge. Children may also appear to be less friendly or outgoing than
they actually are due to a decrease in the frequency of their smiles, which can, in
turn, affect their social lives.

4. Proactive Measures
 There are a number of measures that you can take in order to
keep your child’s mouth healthy (and the rest of them happy!)
1. Brushing and Flossing: Children should brush their teeth at least
twice a day and, if possible, after eating a meal or snack. Flossing is
an essential part of the dental care process because it removes food
particles and plaque that has become stuck between teeth. If your
child resists flossing at first, try to encourage the habit by allowing
them to do it while doing something else they enjoy, like watching
television. You most likely will have to floss for your child until they
are at least 7 years old or older.

5. 2. Eat Right: A healthy diet is also crucial in maintaining your child’s
dental health. Keeping the amount of sugary foods to a minimum
will help as sugar is the main thing cavity causing bacteria feed on to
cause decay. If your child is a juice drinker, dilute the juice to 50%
with water in order to cut the amount of sugar your child ingests at
one time.
3. Say No To Tobacco: Encourage your children to stay away from all
tobacco products, which can wreak havoc on the teeth and mouth.
The best way to teach your children to avoid tobacco is to set a good
example - don’t smoke around your children if you can help it.
4. Get Regular Dental Care: be sure to see your dentist every six
months for regular checkups. If you do not have the funds to provide
regular dental care for your child, there are a number of services
provided through hospitals, clinics, and schools that exist to help
families in need. If you qualify for these services, prices for services
can be deeply reduced or even eliminated.

6. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices
of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker and
associates has specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since
1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more
comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very
beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18
years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and
adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to
treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has
treatment rooms available for children who require additional
privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be
performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital
Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry
Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
About Us

7. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic
Specialists of Michigan
Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-286-0700
www.mychildsteeth.com