Going to the dentist is never a fun activity, and four-year-old Sawyer has a long day of dental work coming up.
Sawyer’s mother, Amber Kowalyk, explained he has baby teeth that are in poor condition, and requires extensive pediatric dental work that costs upwards of $6,000.
“He’s having a significant amount of work done at once,” explained Kowalyk.
According to Kowalyk, Sawyer’s baby teeth are weak and deteriorating, so he requires surgery to preserve the baby teeth until adult ones grow in.
On April 30, Sawyer will be put under anesthesia to receive extractions, root canals, caps, and to get spacers put in to hold room for adult teeth.
“They’re trying to rescue those baby teeth in order for the adult teeth to come in and mature properly. I’m hoping it’s just the baby teeth, but I guess we’ll find out when we get there. My fingers are crossed,” added Kowalyk.
Sawyer’s poor teeth are due mostly to genetics, and partly to trauma, explained Kowalyk.
Sawyer damaged his front teeth from a skateboard accident, but most of his teeth’s condition runs in the family.
Kowalyk said her and her husband, Johnathon, six-year-old son Lucas, and two nephews have all had extensive dental work done.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family, in order to raise money for the dental work, since the family’s dental plan only covers $800 of the cost.
This weekend, the Port Kells Nurseries, where Kowalyk has worked for two years, is hosting a bake sale fundraiser on Saturday April 13, and Sunday April 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to raise money for the family.
Port Kells Nurseries is located at 18730 88 Ave., in Surrey.
A description on the GoFundMe page reads, “If you’ve visited us in the tropical department at Port Kells Nurseries, you’ve likely been helped by Amber. She joined our team a few years ago and has been such a lovely addition to our family here at the nursery.”
When he’s out of the dentist chair, Kowalyk said Sawyer is a “daredevil.”
“He’s crazy. But he’s sweet. If he’s not skateboarding, he’s outside getting dirty, finding worms and bugs. He’s a typical boy,” she added.