Help Me Get Out of Dental Pain and Smile Again ❤️

I never imagined I would have to ask for help with something as personal and difficult to talk about as my teeth.

I've struggled with dental problems since I was a child. I've always had deficiencies that affected my health, and unfortunately, bad dental health also runs in my family. But over the years, life brought many other hardships that took priority. I've overcome addiction, experienced tremendous loss, and faced the challenges of raising a child as a single mom. Somewhere along the way, I became very good at putting everyone else first and putting my own health last.

Most of my family and close friends know that I've been wearing the same "flipper" for more than six years. It was only supposed to be temporary, but I simply haven't had the financial ability to properly address my dental health.

Now, I've reached a point where I can no longer put it off.

I recently had an emergency dental appointment because I was experiencing significant pain and more problems with my teeth. I was told that my situation has become an emergency. I have broken teeth, advanced periodontal disease, severe gum recession, and significant bone loss. My lower teeth have become so loose and painful that I can barely bite or eat food.

I was referred to an oral surgeon and told that I need to have my remaining teeth removed as soon as possible to prevent further damage, infection, and deterioration of my gums and jaw.

And honestly, I'm scared.

Not just because of the surgery and the pain, but because of what comes afterward.

I need temporary dentures made before the extractions so that I don't have to go without teeth during the approximately six-month healing period before I can receive my final dentures. My current temporary flipper has now cracked, and I don't have the money to cover the impressions and temporary plates I'll need, and the other expenses involved in getting through this process. I am so incredibly thankful that my insurance has approved to cover my oral surgery & permanent denture plates! Unfortunately that's where it caps out and I don't have the financial ability to cover the rest.

I'm still a full-time mom. I'm working around the clock on a single-mom income, and I don't have the ability to simply stop working and take extended time off. At the same time, I'm dealing with daily pain that makes it difficult to eat, concentrate, work, and even focus on the everyday things I need to do as a mom.

I've spent so many years taking care of everyone else that I never imagined I would be asking people to help take care of me with my dental.

Life has been especially difficult carrying on without my mom and dad here in Kansas. My little family has a very small village, and I'm praying that this reaches some of the people who know me, know what I've been through, and understand how hard it is for me to ask for help with this.

I don't want to live in pain anymore.

I want to be able to eat normally. I want to be able to work without constantly fighting through pain. I want to be able to get through my days without worrying about my teeth breaking or becoming infected.

And most importantly, I want to smile again.

If you know me, you know I love to smile—and I absolutely love being a mom. ❤️ I want to get through this, heal properly, and get back to being the best mom and person I can be without constantly dealing with pain and embarrassment.

Any amount of help would mean more to me than I could ever put into words. If you aren't able to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me. And above all, I would truly appreciate your prayers as I face what is going to be a very difficult chapter.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for loving me, for encouraging me, and for helping me find a way forward through it all.

I have spent a lot of my life overcoming hard things.

I'm praying this is one more thing I can overcome—with a little help from my village. ❤️

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.