My teeth even began affecting my social life (Picture: 21D)
Stepping through the front door, my son rushed to see me. ‘Hi,’ I beamed, showing off my new sparkly, shiny teeth.
‘Wow, Dad, you look amazing,’ he gasped. And I had to admit, I felt pretty amazing too.
For his whole life, I had been his dad with the decaying teeth. I’d spent decades covering my mouth with my hands, being too embarrassed to smile properly and being painfully self-conscious during conversations.
But finally, after dental surgery, I have the perfect smile.
As a child, I brushed my teeth regularly although admittedly, not as much as I should have. And whenever I went to the dentist for a routine check-up, I always needed teeth removed.
The problems continued into adulthood and, as I needed more work done, I developed a fear of the dentist, which only worsened during my 20s and 30s.
I found myself covering my mouth when I spoke to people (Picture: Adrian Elmer)
My teeth became discoloured, chipped – a lot of them fell out.
At the time, I was working as a team leader, managing nine men, communicating constantly with them, sometimes giving presentations.
I found myself covering my mouth when I spoke to people to hide my teeth.
I started avoiding close-up conversations whenever I could and making phone calls instead of speaking to people in person.
Whenever I did have to speak to someone, I’d talk with my head down and would never smile.
I went from being a natural communicator with a loud personality, to someone who’d hide away any chance they could.
I’d talk with my head down and would never smile (Picture: 21D)
And it wasn’t just in work. My teeth even began affecting my social life. I was self-conscious wherever I went out. Photographs were a total no-go for me. I kept my circle small and close but even then, I was anxious people were judging me.
I became ashamed of myself, not just my teeth. I thought people must think I wasn’t looking after them, but it was quite the opposite. I was desperately trying to find a solution.
First, I tried dentures. But they never fitted right and would shift around a lot. They also restricted my diet, as I had to consider what I could – and couldn’t – eat.
I remember once chewing a toffee and the dentures fell right out of my mouth. I was mortified. Even Christmas dinner with my family was ruined, when my turkey got stuck in them.
When I was 33, my teeth crumbled (Picture: Adrian Elmer)
The dentures rubbed against my gums too, which caused painful ulcers.
I couldn’t seek any help either, as my general dislike of the dentist had evolved into a full-on fear.
I’d delay appointments as much as I could, and when I did go, I’d stay in my car and ask the receptionist to phone me when it was time for me because I couldn’t face the anxiety of the waiting room.
Then, when Covid-19 hit, I went three years without a dentist appointment and, when I was 33, my teeth crumbled. All of the places holding my dentures in place chipped and broke away. I went through 20 repair kits, none of them worked.
I was embarrassed I’d let things get this bad and knew I needed to find a solution, or I may never open my mouth again.
After researching I found dental implants, which is a titanium screw that’s placed directly into your jawbone, replacing your missing tooth root, to which a replacement tooth is attached. I felt like it was my only option. A final solution to my dental worries.
I couldn’t believe that soon I would be walking out of that clinic a new man (Picture: 21D)
I started Googling and discovered a lot of people talking about procedures in Turkey. Some of the UK dental surgeries were charging £49,000 and the process would take months. Going to Turkey seemed like the quicker and cheaper option.
It was tempting and I even went so far as to book my ticket for £379, but the day before I was due to fly, I got cold feet.
Being in a foreign country, with a language barrier, during the one surgery I hoped would change my life, felt too much – especially with my fear of dentists. So I found myself back at square one.
Then, after another 18 months of research, I found 21D, a private dental implants clinic in the UK, who quoted me £16,995 for both jaws.
The staff were so professional, talking me through the whole process. Plus, they could do the implants within the same day.
My surgery was booked for September 2023 and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t wait for that dentist appointment to arrive.
I arrived at 11am, they took my blood pressure and the dentist explained the surgery would take two hours. I couldn’t believe that soon I would be walking out of that clinic a new man.
My son was floored by the difference (Picture: 21D)
More from Platform
Platform is the home of Metro.co.uk’s first-person and opinion pieces, devoted to giving a platform to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media.
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Metro’s resident wedding agony aunt Alison Rios McCrone dealt with another issue this week, with a bride-to-be shocked at her mum taking issue with how intense she was in planning her nuptials.
Emily Vaughn shares her truly harrowing story of being groomed and trafficked from the age of 14, and how she rebuilt her life after being forced to have sex with over 1,500 men.
When Celia Chartres-Aris was given a brilliant new job, she thought telling them about her disability would be just a formality – but in fact her job offer was withdrawn when she told her new employers about the adjustments they would have to make.
After decades battling a stammer following childhood trauma, things reached a breaking point for Jonathan Blair, who had been so ashamed of his speech impediment that he hadn’t even told his wife about his condition.
I remained awake during the surgery, but I was too excited to feel nervous. I couldn’t believe I was finally getting new teeth fitted.
Then, finally, there was the moment I had been waiting my whole life for. My big reveal.
The dentist handed me a mirror and I could have cried with happiness. Long gone was my gappy, yellow smile and in its place, were two rows of perfectly straight white teeth. Pure perfection!
I look after my new gnashers religiously now (Picture: 21D)
When I got in the car, I couldn’t stop staring at them in my mirror. I took some selfies immediately, and sent them to my friends and family. They were amazed.
That same day, my son was floored by the difference.
‘You look so different!’ he said. ‘You look happy.’ And I was.
I only had minor swelling and bruising, and after a week, it was impossible to tell I’d had surgery.
But the change in me has been phenomenal.
My life has been changed forever (Picture: 21D)
I can dine out without anxiety, speak confidently at work. I’m back to being my old self – my friends and family would probably say I’m even louder now!
I didn’t realise just how much of life I was missing out on because of my teeth, and now I know I’m not alone.
But now, my life has been changed forever. I look after my new gnashers religiously now. I’ll never look back.
Instead, I’m looking forward. With a big, bright smile.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
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The dentist handed me a mirror and I could have cried with happiness.