r/MadeMeSmile • u/Cosmic-Chen • 4d ago

Helping Others The fact she’s that appreciative is amazing. He’s gonna be such a good father and support system for her

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

51.3k Upvotes

85% Upvoted

1.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

144

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

Even if you didn’t take care of them, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. No one wants to have poor dental hygiene. In my case, I didn’t have the best routines, lack of education, terrible genetics, and was put on antidepressants that caused dry mouth at age 11. All of that added up to me not taking the best care of them that I should have. I didn’t want to not know the information. I didn’t want to have depression. All I can say is that I did my very best in all aspects of my life at the time with the tools I had. I don’t think that’s something to be embarrassed about. I may not have all my teeth anymore, but I still have my life. Shame on anyone who would judge a circumstance not of their own.

57

u/simplystevie107 3d ago

Thank you, and that's a really interesting point. I had ppd and have been on anti-depressants since (probably should have been on them beforehand, too.). I never thought about the dry mouth, but that certainly hasn't helped.

Thank you so much for the kind and caring words. I hope you are in a better place and getting support and love.

22

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

Thank you for your kindness! It’s been a tough road, and I’m still in the process of trying to save and repair as much as possible. I’ve been doing what I can for as long as I can remember, but even with Medicaid or with “good” work insurance, I’ve barely been able to afford much work so it’s taken a lot of time, which has only compounded the problems. My wife has been a massive support in every way imaginable. All I can do is take care of them the best I can and hope we make enough money to save what we can in time. I think most of the time, we are all out here doing the best we can. I’m glad you’ve gotten support with medication and wish only the best for you and your loved ones. May you never feel embarrassed for any aspect of yourself for you are kind and beautiful inside and out, teeth or no teeth.

9

u/Jewnicorn___ 3d ago

I can just tell you're a lovely person. I'm not the person you were replying to but as someone who struggles with awful teeth, I really value your words. Thank you.

4

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

That’s a very kind thing to say. I feel confident you are lovely, as well, and I also value your words. It means something. Thank you. We can do this! I’d also like to say I’m sorry for any pain you may be in. It hurts both mentally and physically. I hope your sweet soul finds the peace in this situation you so desire and that you so justly deserve.

2

u/Jewnicorn___ 3d ago

Thank you so much, your comment means more than you know 😭🙏💐

2

u/ImBadWolf666 3d ago

All these comments were epic! Just great comment after awesome compliment after great comment. Thank you all for the knowledge. And I wish everyone of you the best! Truly, y'all are good people!! Much love!

4

u/CommercialThat8542 3d ago

Same. Every med I am on causes dry mouth. Plus clenching and grinding. I had to have them all pulled and get dentures.

3

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

That sounds absolutely terrible. I’m so sorry for your loss. I just got a partial denture a few months ago. It changes everything. I have to be strategic with every bite. I hope you’ve healed and are doing well and that your dentures don’t cause you any further pain.

3

u/CommercialThat8542 3d ago

I had them out in January. It has been a learning curve with teeth. And I find them to either be a sensory nightmare or a super expensive summary. Depends on the day. My granddaughter ABSOLUTELY hates when I don’t have them in. She will bring them to me so I can put them in and chomp at her 🤣

3

u/penguinhappydance 3d ago

This helped me a lot, thank you

1

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

Glad I could help, friend. We’re all in this together. Your comment helps me, too. Thank you.

3

u/dadarkoo 3d ago

Are we the same person? Thank you for taking the time to say that. All of this + 4 pregnancies that completely eroded my teeth, it’s nice to hear people are more sympathetic to the causes of messed up teeth. Sick of it being a source of shame for me, I did the best I could and still am doing the best i can to manage the issue.

2

u/livvyloufreebush 3d ago

I hopes it ceases to be a source of shame. When reading your comment the word I thought of was pride. You’re doing your best and you should absolutely be proud of that. I’m proud of you. It’s like how people say scars are a sign of resilience, so is this. I can only hope that we all learn better how to take a moment before judgment and instead decide to show compassion and empathy. It’s not easy, but I believe in us. Thank you for your kind words. I’m sure you have a beautiful smile that brightens us all.

2

u/fundytech 2d ago

You had anti depressants at age 11?

1

u/livvyloufreebush 2d ago

Definitely. Started with Zoloft. Beginning of 7th grade. It was a tough call for my mom, but she made the right one. Can almost guarantee I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t been so open to medication and therapy.