The Girl with Holes in Her Jaw

​Hi, I’m Kiara—though most know me as Keekee. I’m a small-town artist and micro-business owner in Alberta, Canada. I’m hesitantly welcoming you into the not-so-fun parts of my life as the girl with holes in her jaw. (New character unlocked!)

The Reality I’ve Been Hiding:

I’ve hidden the state of my dental health because I'm embarrassed and terrified of the stigma. But I can’t hide anymore. If I cough or sneeze, you’ll see I’m missing teeth.

​After multiple hospital trips and endless rounds of antibiotics, this has moved past "bad teeth" and into a systemic medical crisis.

The Diagnosis: Osteomyelitis

I am currently fighting chronic Osteomyelitis—an infection that has moved into my jawbone. In March, an abscess traveled from my ear to my chin, causing my face to swell so severely I was unrecognizable (photo included). I am now at risk of antibiotic resistance and, worst case, sepsis.

​Between an upcoming surgery to remove a tumor from my eye and this infection, my body is a battlefield. I have very basic dental coverage, which ironically disqualifies me from other supports. I’ve spent the last year paying for emergency extractions just to stay safe, but the cycle won't stop until the source is gone.

The "Artist" Workaround

Because I’m an artist, I got pretty good at sculpting. I’ve been using poly pellets to sculpt my teeth to hide the damage. It was a creative fix, but I can’t sculpt my way out of bone infections. My hair is thinning, my skin is struggling to heal minor scrapes, and my body is exhausted from the constant internal war. I've been heavily relying on meal replacements during these reoccurring infections to keep myself going.

The Plan & Milestones

My goal is to be pain-free. While some of the surgery may be covered as "medical," the dental restoration is not.

• ​Milestone 1 ($500): Mandatory 3D scan/X-ray and specialist exam to map out the surgery and bone health. This is how I will get the most accurate quote.

• ​Milestone 2 (Surgical Extraction): Surgically removing at least four teeth that are causing issues. Then deciding

what can be done with the bone.

• ​Milestone 3 (Restoration): I am hoping to at least keep 6 top and bottom teeth. Saving them is the only goal after I permanently get rid of infection.

​The Stigma Check:

I know the assumptions people make when it comes to dental issues. I have been sober my entire adult life. I eat well and I brush my teeth. This damage is the result of constant infection, genetics and nutritional instability as a teenager. Many of my baby teeth had to be surgically removed when I was a toddler because they decayed and cracked for reasons doctors still can't fully explain. This has been my reality since I got my first set of teeth.

​

My Breaking Point

Yesterday, I was eating soup (yes... soup) and felt tooth fragments in my mouth for the second time this week. Looking at those pieces in my hand, I realized I can’t do this alone. I just want to eat normally again. I want to make art without a throbbing jaw and eat a chip without waiting for it to dissolve.

How You Can Help

• ​Donate: Even loose change helps.

• ​Share: If you can’t donate, sharing this link is just as powerful.

​Transparency:

I’ll be documenting this whole messy process—updates, x-rays, and receipts. If we somehow miraculously exceed the goal, funds will go toward recovery (soft foods, meal replacements) and recovery costs for my upcoming eye surgery.

​I have nothing to give in return other than my gratitude and hopefully getting back to my streams and store. If my top donor wants one of the teeth I get removed, I am more than happy to send it! I know it’s weird, but I think it’s kind of cute in some weird way.

​With love and gratitude,

Keekee (The girl with the holes in her jaw)