Asking for help like this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I’ve gone back and forth for a long time, trying to convince myself to just “push through” and cope quietly. But the truth is, I can’t anymore.

Over the years, my dental health has deteriorated to a point where it has completely taken over my life. All of my front teeth have been root-canaled. What people don’t often talk about is that after root canals, teeth can slowly darken and weaken. I see it every time I look in the mirror. I avoid smiling. I avoid photos. I avoid eye contact when I speak.

My upper right molar has broken all the way down to the gum and is now rotting. I live with constant discomfort and the fear of infection spreading. On top of that, I have several holes in my other teeth and a chipped front tooth that I am painfully aware of every single time I open my mouth.

But the physical pain isn’t even the worst part.

What this has done to my confidence is devastating. I can’t stand close to people when I talk. I constantly worry that my breath smells, no matter how much I brush, rinse, or try to mask it. I pull away from conversations. I cut them short. I isolate myself because the anxiety is overwhelming.

Simple things like chatting to someone, laughing freely, going to an interview, meeting new people they feel terrifying now. I feel ashamed of something I can’t fix on my own.

This has cost me more than just my smile.

It has cost me my sense of self-worth. It has cost me opportunities. It has cost me my job. I truly believe my dental condition played a role in losing my employment, and it has absolutely affected my ability to find new work. Job interviews require confidence. They require speaking clearly, smiling, and presenting yourself without fear. Right now, that feels impossible.

I want to work. I want to rebuild my life. I want to feel like myself again. But without fixing my teeth, I feel stuck and trapped in a cycle of embarrassment, anxiety, and financial hardship.

Dental treatment is incredibly expensive, far beyond what I can afford on my own, especially after losing my job. I wouldn’t be here if I had another option.

I’m not asking for luxury. I’m asking for basic dignity. I’m asking for the chance to smile without fear, to speak without panic, to walk into a room without immediately worrying about how I’m being judged.

If you’re able to help in any way, whether by donating or even just sharing this, please know that it means more than I can put into words. You’re not just helping me fix my teeth. You’re helping me rebuild my confidence, my future, and my life.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for seeing me.