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In photos you see Ashley’s blue eyes and golden ringlets. But you don’t see her teeth...                 I met Ashley at Dallas Theological Seminary. Chatting after class with the soft-spoken young woman, I could not help but notice the severe wear on her enamel. (I’m a dentist.) I wondered if the 26-year-old suffered from bulimia. (She doesn’t.) I have included her story in her words:                   “When I was 14, I woke up with a fat face. I was sick with a fever higher than I had ever felt. My face felt like a sumo wrestler had crammed a cantaloupe into my ear. My mom took me to the emergency room. They had no idea what was wrong with me. This routine of waking up suddenly sick, with a fat face and a spiked fever continued for years. As a kid I always had cavities. At 16, I noticed my fillings would just fall out. Finally, doctors handed me a diagnosis and told me I might be sick forever.” <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/15516969_1477678210.5208_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />                 Doctors determined Ashley has Sjögren’s Syndrome, and she started seeing a Pediatric Rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Sjögren’s (pronounced SHOW-GRINS—yes, ironic), an incurable autoimmune disease, affects the entire body. But the major hallmarks include extreme dry eyes and dry mouth.                                 By 21, Ashley’s teeth had deteriorated and she had to start daily medication to stimulate saliva flow. (Without adequate saliva to wash away bacteria, teeth decay and break down.) Her teeth have also chipped from grinding. Despite regular dental care, she had to get five or six fillings at each appointment, and has fillings in every tooth in her mouth. She has suffered with a perpetual dry mouth and sensitive teeth for over a decade, forcing her to sip lukewarm water throughout the day. A screening at a local dental school deemed her case too complex for a dental student. With growing frustration Ashley has visited too many dentists to count, with several dentists telling her that her dental disease resulted from her “not taking care of [her] teeth.” On behalf of the profession, I felt I owed her an apology.                     That night I lay awake thinking about Ashley. She cannot enjoy refrigerated pineapple (too cold and too acidic); no caramel apples or hard granola bars (they break her teeth); no switching from hot drinks to cold food (too sensitive); no large sandwiches or crackers with peanut butter (she can’t bite into large items, and she chokes on dry foods). I had to help her, but knew I could not treat her myself. She would need crowns on almost every tooth to protect her enamel from further damage. I knew she would receive the most ideal care in the hands of a specialist. <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/15516969_1477677082.5439_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />                 I referred Ashley to a prosthodontist (a dentist who specializes in crowns, dentures, and implants). Her treatment plan includes full coverage porcelain crowns on 24 teeth, and a night guard to prevent further grinding. The total cost for her full mouth dental rehabilitation will top $50,000. Of this, her dental insurance will cover only $1,500 (which does not even cover the cost to treat one tooth).                 Most people do not have $50,000 stashed under a mattress. Her church and family will help with some of the costs, but Ashley will have to rely on donations to foot the bulk of the bill. Her Rheumatologist has submitted a letter of medical necessity to her medical insurance. But medical insurance will not likely cover dental treatment, even when the dental disease results from a medical condition.                   Ashley would appreciate any donation (big or small) to help pay for her dental care. Her teeth require immediate attention. Her dental treatment may not cure her dry mouth, but it will treat her decayed teeth, relieve her sensitivity, and protect her teeth from further destruction. Having disease-free, pain-free teeth is vital to anyone’s overall welfare. Many Sjögren’s sufferers would rather do anything but show their grins. Let’s help Ashley show hers.                  The GoFundMe site will deduct 8% from all donations. If you prefer Ashley to receive 100% of your donation, you may contact her directly at <a href="mailto:[email redacted]">[email redacted]</a>.                                   For more information about Sjögren’s Syndrome, visit <a href="http://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens/symptoms" target="_blank">www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens/symptoms</a>

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