where to turn for help?

[nada28]

I am a 28 year old male with incredibly bad teeth. I have had issues with my teeth for as long as I can remember, but they did not become a major problem until about 5-6 years ago when I began to lose teeth and experience severe mouth pain. Since that time I have lost/broken at least 15 of my teeth, leaving very little of those teeth remaining, and have had many episodes of excruciating pain (as well as various infections). Over the course of these past 5-6 years, I have also lost just about every ounce of self confidence and have been avoiding talking or smiling at anyone. I have lost my job, will to work, will to live and if my ex-wife has her way... I will lose my son as well.

I have no money. My family has no money, and I have no way of scrounging up even one thousand dollars. This is the issue that has kept my teeth in the state they are in. Every direction I have turned for help to stop the pain or to help me regain my desire to live has ended up being a dead end. I do not have much, but I am willing to give all that I do have in order to be able to smile and eat regularly again with no discomfort and to have my confidence/life back.

I have been rejected by regular dentists as well as charity clinics and clinics with sliding scale based fees. I have gotten to the point of being too afraid to call another dentist about help for fear of not being able to handle the rejection again. Is there any direction that I could turn to restore hope and confidence?

[Sondra1952]

Sorry, one more thing.  If you have absessed teeth, that can be dangerous, so I don't know how the charity clinic can deny even pulling those, and giving you antibiotics?  Did you check with the Dept. of Social Services in your area, to see if they have any suggestions?  Don't know if medicaid treats dental problems for adults, or just kids, but it's worth a try.  I know when I had gotten my oldest son's teeth fixed, his then girlfriend said he never slept at night, because his teeth were all absessed.  It's hard to stay positive when you're in a lot of pain. Keep us posted, okay?

[Sondra1952]

I'm sorry about your teeth.  I think that Liz1958 had a great idea, if you have a university dental school in your area.  My teeth are breaking off terribly, too, from meds I've been on for 30 yrs. for agorophobia, etc., so I live on disability and understand the financial part.  I'm currently having about $4500 worth of work done on my teeth, and was able to put in on CareCredit at $188/mo., but I realize right now that's not an option for you.  I can't believe that the charity dental clinic, or sliding scale ones, are denying you?  What is the reason they're using?  I couldn't go to the "charity" clinic here, because they consider $14,000/annual income too much to qualify (???).  It is very hard on your self esteem when you are afraid to smile.  My son, age 35, has had a meth addiction for years.  I spent $5000 on his teeth about 5 years ago, but his are worse now than they ever were (I'd never heard of meth mouth, plus he has juvenile diabetes).  I'm not saying that's what is wrong with your teeth.  Please keep trying to find someone.  In the meantime, sounds like you have a lot to deal with right now in general, so do you have any free counselors in your area you could speak to?  Good luck, and never give up!  I've dealt with a lot of adversity through the years, but try to remain hopeful, okay?  I refuse to give up, and I hope that you muster up everything you've got to get through this.  Unless your ex-wife can prove you're unfit to be around your son, I don't know how she could legally deny you a relationship with your son.  Please check on some counseling, okay?  Maybe contact the ADA via email and see if they have any suggestions for where you could go in your area.  Good luck, and keep the faith.  It will get better!

[Liz1958]

Gosh, I am so sorry to hear about all you have been through.  I am not a dentist, so can only offer support.  But one suggestion you might try is to go to a university dental school in your area.  They might want to use you for their students and do the work for free.  Something has to be causing all this problems with you losing your teeth at such a young age.  If it is a meth problem, please get help, ok?

[lynn117]

if you have no money why has the clinics and sliding scale dentists been unable to work out a treatment plan? there has to be more to this than described. please dont be offended but has meth use caused many of your dental problems? thats usually (but not always) the reason clinics turn away a person in need of help.

[frogman3214]

at this point pull out your teeth(all of them)....you will need dentures......get the new type--the ones that snap into place........as far as the money...since you won't have anymore teeth for awhile uh ..........?