I avoid being photographed because my wonky smile is making me miserable

DEAR DEIDRE: I BADLY need braces and fillings to fix my wonky teeth and jaw line.

I hate the way I look and it is really starting to affect my confidence.

My jaw keeps moving forward, which can make it hard to eat.

I think I may have what is called a misaligned bite, but I haven’t had it properly investigated.

My teeth are irregular sizes, a couple are missing and spaced out unevenly.

I tend to cover my mouth when I laugh and I never show my teeth when I smile in photographs.

In fact, I avoid being photographed if I can.

My partner says I look fine the way I am. She is 31. I am a 33-year-old man.

Is there any way I could get the braces and fillings on the NHS?

Going private is not an option. It is so expensive and something I can’t afford.

DEIDRE SAYS:  I sympathise with you, but your teeth will only get worse if nothing is done.

First of all, check if you are entitled to free dental treatments on the NHS (turn2us.org.uk or entitledto.co.uk).

If not, you could have work done by dental students under supervision at one of the country’s local dental hospitals.

Treatment might take a bit longer, but the students are monitored by a teacher.

See dentalhospitals.org.uk for more info. Each hospital will have its own rates and booking system.