To think being gummy might be the nail in the coffin of my love life

[Squirre]

Quick backstory: dc has complex needs and sometimes thrashes and hits when in pain/upset. I was on the receiving end of a blow to the jaw and am having to several teeth out.

I'd just built myself up to dip my toe into dating after a very long time of being single. My confidence was basically at rock bottom before this but from tomorrow I'll not only be awkward and shy but gummy too 🙈

I'll be getting dentures straight away so I know I won't be walking around like a Nanna with her teeth out but it feels like the universe is trying to tell me something! I've been warned dating can be a bit brutal and going in with something easy to be nasty about makes me doubt whether I should even try. I know that probably sounds daft from an adult but I really feel so insecure about myself atm.

I don't think you're being unreasonable to be insecure. Might show you're not ready for dating if you feel that way though?

My best friend had to have dentures in her early 30s. In the 14 years since, she has met someone and been married and is now separated but in another long term relationship. Its part of life and anyone decent won't care.

Please don't feel self conscious about this. Many people have dentures and all sorts of dental work. It's no issue at all.

Most of us have some health issue or imperfections, it's part of life.

Go out with confidence and good luck

I had to have a small, 4 tooth denture after knocking my front teeth out. I had them for quite a while and I now, finally, have implants. To be honest, it didn't affect my life in any way and really wasn't that bad, I am married and my husband didn't seem be at all bothered. Implants are great but also pretty expensive. I can honestly say the idea of a denture is worse than the reality - you'd be surprised how many people have them 🙂Wishing you all the very best

My partner lost all his front teeth as a child due to medical treatment for asthma. It also stunted his growth.
I couldn't even tell his teeth were false (they are permanent) and he is still taller than me :)

Get yourself sorted and get out there. I expect most people have 'things' they don't like about themselves.

Thank you for the lovely messages. It's done now and it bloody hurts and feels super strange atm! I told an old colleague who it turns out also has dentures and I never knew! So I think I'm part of a secret club now!

OP, you are wonderful and amazing! Someone is going to be lucky to have you.
Honestly though, you could look like Sofia Vergara (my woman crush!) and still be unlucky in the online dating world. Yes, there are some tossers out there. But you quickly get used to sifting them out.
Wait until you're ready, have fun and good luck!

A close friend had dentures (then implants when she could afford them) following a bike accident where she lost 5 of her front teeth. You wouldn't know anything other than that they look nice :)