I teared up reading this. I know the embarrassment of smiling and laughing and for a moment being so happy, only to suddenly remember to cover my mouth. I know looks aren’t supposed to be important, that vanity is a deadly sin, and all that other crap. But I also know what it’s like to be a real person and to feel so awful about myself because of it. I also know what it feels like to not be able to afford Hollywood teeth. I know it all too well. And it is painful.

However… I recently learned that some dental schools take patients as - for lack of a better term - practice. The closest place to me is Univ of Fla. I haven’t called them yet, so I don’t know much about it, but maybe there’s a school near you that could help you figure out how to get some work done. Just an idea. Until you get everything sorted out, just smile as beautifully as you can - in exactly the way that makes you comfortable. xox