Need Teeth To Eat

My name is Yvonne. I'm single, 66 and usually a happy lady. I have a Mental illness, Depression and Social Phobia and Chronic Anxiety, and a part of this was a Compulsive behaviour. I would clean my teeth 10-15 times a day. When I ate or drank or I thought they felt scaly. Over the years I have undercut all of my teeth. The only ones that look safe are my two front upper teeth. But one has already been filled and is quite painful and loose still.

The medication I take for my Mental Illness has produced Dry Mouth Syndrome, which means I do not produce enough saliva and this has increased the incidence of dental decay.

I am missing most of my bottom left teeth. All the molars. I am missing most of my upper right teeth. My upper left and lower right all need removing, they are full of holes and very painful. I have two very black teeth lower right The canine and small molar. All the lower front teeth are seriously under cut and have seriously recessed gums.

I cannot eat much meat. A bit of ground Chicken or Mince or tinned Tuna. Even salad hurts my gums and makes then bleed. I do eat a lot of soups. Far easier.

I am on a Disability Pension so have to use the Public Dental Service. They are lovely and caring but limited by what they can do to assist. We tackle one tooth at a time. Drilling and filling and hoping they don't hurt more or removing them. I do not have the funds to replace them all. I would really like them all replaced with something permanent.

I would appreciate any help you can give me. This has been a wonderful weight loss experience. I am down 23 kgs or about 55 lbs. I do love salad. Thai is my favourite food. But not for a long time. No peanuts. No carrots or celery. Oh, and steak. What I wouldn't give for a juicy steak one day.

This is not frivolous or vanity. It is necessary to get rid of the pain, which when severe, advances to a migraine. My gums bleed, my tongue is sore and I develop ulcers inside my cheeks from scratching and biting.

Please help me eat normally again and enjoy my food. It really is a big wish, so I am hoping there are some wonderful people willing to help. Thank you. Von