I have had a very difficult childhood and feel it is one of the reasons I let my hygiene get so bad. I wish I could take it back but the damage is done. My problem is what to do now. I am 28, and have the worst teeth I've seen. I don't have many left, I cannot smile without being extremely embarrassed and have given up laughing. Yes, it sounds crazy but I don't have other options, so I stay in my home, never go out, and literally have not one friend now. I cannot chew my food, have no back teeth and life is becoming difficult. I am in constant pain with some of the few teeth I do have. I cannot find any dentists to do payment plans, my credit is bad. No clinics will take me for free even though I have no money, and even if I found a way to get them all pulled I cannot afford dentures. This is so terrible I can't describe. I know its my fault, but what can I do now? Someone please help

I believe you need to visit someone who is trained in helping folks with developing plans for personal problems. This could be a minister, priest, or rabbi; or it could be someone at the county mental health clinic. There is help for you within your community; you must reach for it.

Contact your local Health and Human Services Department. They should be able to direct you to low cost, sliding fee or free services available in your area. You may also want to apply for general assistance to see what state and federal programs you may or may not be eligible for. You could be approved for some services under the "medically needy" category.

Also, ask about job assistance programs, particularly in the technical schools. Some are very low cost and beneficial.

If you are in the UK* you could try dental schools. They usually do work for free as training for the students (under very good supervision of course).

*might be possible elsewhere as well but I don't know for certain.

Templelane is right, you could try dental schools anywhere in the world. They are always looking for patients that need specialty services such as extractions and dentures.

There may be a fee, but it will probably be for materials only. One thing for sure, whatever is done there will be done right as these students have to do and redo until everything is perfect. (I'm talking about the dentures, not the extractions!)

I agree with the George and Izannah. You need to reach out and ask for help. There are some very good services available but they are not always very well advertised. Good luck to you. I hope you are smiling soon!