A MUM has revealed how she was forced to wear DENTURES by the time she hit 31.
Dakila Mccombs, 32, shared how her teeth started to fall out when she was just 22 after having her braces removed.
The mum-of-two spent the next decade feeling insecure about her smile and her teeth, as the serious gum infection damaged the soft tissue and destroyed the bones supporting her teeth.
Dakila, from Tennessee, USA, was 30 when she decided to have all of her teeth extracted and purchased a set of dentures for £1,756 [$2,300].
The small business owner said: “I have had dentures for two years now and it’s the best thing I ever did.
“I have lived half of my life under a shadow and unable to express myself.
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“I want to show other young people that it is OK to wear dentures – it is no different to losing your leg and getting a prosthetic.
“You have to have teeth to eat.”
By the time Dakila reached 30, she had just 20 teeth left whereas most adults have 32 teeth.
She used to use dental wax for braces to create a fake tooth and stick it in the gaps.
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She adds: “I’ve always had bad teeth and had to wear braces for eight years.
“But when they were removed, six teeth literally came out with the braces.
“I was devastated and horrified.”
As time went on, the enamel continued to worsen and a dentist suggested dentures.
She said: “I have always been a bubbly person but I felt like I couldn’t be myself as I didn’t want to smile or laugh to show off my mouth.
“I was at an all-time low for years.
“I taught myself how to talk with my mouth almost closed or covered my mouth with my hand.
“I was the most insecure when two teeth at the front tooth fell out.
“I used to stick dental wax into the gaps but it was still obvious so I didn’t have to think twice about dentures.
“It was a big relief during the pandemic and we had to wear masks as I felt like my confidence came back.
“I felt like the old upbeat me again and that’s when I knew I really needed dentures.”
Dakila’s health insurance paid £3,180 [$4,000] for the remaining teeth to be extracted in December 2020.
She then had eight more removed in April 2021 and dentures fitted costing less than £2,000.
She adds: “I have fully embraced and accepted who I am.
“Life is better without my real teeth and I’m no longer afraid to show my gums or dentures off.
“Dentures are associated with elderly people because young people are too embarrassed to speak out.
“I am hoping to normalise dentures!”
Despite having a positive outlook on her new set of nashers, Dakila is often subject to nasty comments online.
She said: “I receive a lot of backlash when I take my teeth out online, but I am trying to educate others.
“When you’re young and lose your teeth, people automatically lose your teeth to drugs.
“I have inherited gum disease as it runs through my family so I was doomed from the get-go.
“I have been called a catfish, but I don’t care because I have a supportive fiancé Tim Simmons, 32, who loves me for me.
“I used to be negative to myself, but now I have great teeth, and I know they look good so nobody can bring me down.
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“I want other people to know they are beautiful and their gummy smile is the best smile.
“No matter what your story is, always rise above.”
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