I was forced to get dentures at just 23 when my teeth unexpectedly started falling out after I gave birth – people always assume the worst
A woman revealed how she was forced get dentures at just 23 years old after her oral hygiene went downhill as a result of how she grew up.
Shayla Cramer, from Ethan, South Dakota, revealed she grew up in a poor family without access to a constant supply of water, which she needed to keep her teeth clean.
The now 26-year-old was never able to fix her teeth due to finances and they quickly started falling out.
She was forced to get dentures in her early 20s with the help of a stranger who offered to pay for them.
She said: ‘Growing up, my dad was a single father to five and wasn’t able to afford water, so I wasn’t able to take care of my teeth.
‘After I had my son in 2018, they just started falling out no matter what I did. Insurance was so much for them to cover and I had no help.
‘I ended up losing my dad and my twins two weeks apart and life felt like it was falling apart.
‘This amazing woman ended up offering to pay for my dentures as long as I could figure out a way to get them all pulled.’
Shayla Cramer, from Ethan, South Dakota , US, revealed how she shockingly had to get dentures at 23 after her oral hygiene went downhill as a result of how she grew up
Shayla often takes to her TikTok account @gummybear_19983 to share what it’s like to have dentures so young. Pictured with her dentures in
Shayla had her first mouth surgery at 12 years old where surgeons did everything they could to bring her front teeth back to life.
Although this solved the problem for a while, when she had her son, her teeth unexpectedly started falling out.
Struggling to find the money to pay to have them fixed, she was relieved when a kind stranger helped fund the dentures.
Since getting the dentures, she has been able to feel confident in herself and can now go about her life as normal.
She said: ‘People always assume drugs but it wasn’t.
‘Finally, after a couple of months I got it done and got my smile back. I never got to truly smile looking beautiful with my son for four years.
‘Some of us have had a harsh life or bad genes and pregnancy can take that away from you as well, remember that the next time you judge someone.
‘Now that I’ve got my dentures, I’ve been able to eat everything, I’m able to smile, I’m able to enjoy life with my family and kids and it’s been the best choice for me.’
She was forced to get dentures despite only being 23-years-old with the help of a stranger who offered to pay for them
The 26-year-old was never able to fix her teeth due to finances and they quickly started falling out. Pictured without her dentures in
Shayla often takes to her TikTok account @gummybear_19983 to share what it’s like to have dentures so young.
In some clips, which have racked up over 100,000 views, she answers some questions her followers have about her false teeth.
One person wrote: ‘You smile is stunning. I can’t wait to get out of the immediate dentures and into my permanent set’
Shayla replied: ‘My immediate they turned into my permanents.’
Another said: ‘Yaassss you’re beautiful just the way you are.’
Someone else wrote: ‘Beautiful before & now sweetheart.’
Struggling to find the money to pay to have them fixed, she was relieved when a kind a stranger helped fund the dentures
Since getting the dentures, she has been able to feel confident in herself and can now go about her life as normal
A fourth added: ‘They look really good!!! I have top dentures and bottom partial. And I’m 41.’
Shayla even confessed that she wasn’t able to get a job prior to getting dentures because of her teeth.
She says that the dentures have changed her life as she’s able to eat without pain – and though it was hard at first, it’s got much better with time.
She emotionally revealed that she felt she couldn’t smile in photos with her son before he turned four as she felt ‘ugly and terrible’ due to her teeth.
