**This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events as told to me by a close friend, who experienced them firsthand; used with permission.
One of my best friends suffered from aggressive periodontal disease. As a result, she has been wearing full dentures since her late twenties.
My friend has a bright, buoyant personality that quickly draws people in. Not only that, but she’s drop-dead gorgeous! If high school truly never ends, she is undoubtedly one of the cool kids. But despite her captivating beauty and magnetic persona, she is terrified of getting too serious with someone.
She’s been a serial dater for most of her adult life. By the third date, she breaks things off, no matter how much she likes the other person or how well things are going, simply because she is too embarrassed about wearing dentures.
There was one guy she was really into; she even broke her three-date rule because she liked him so much. But when she finally revealed her shameful secret, he disappeared without a trace.
To say that she was heartbroken would be an understatement. She was devastated, so much so that she has not progressed past a third date since.
The pros and cons of disclosing your dental history
When it comes to false teeth, there are a lot of pros and cons to telling your dental history to someone you’re dating. On the one hand, this might be a sensitive subject for you, and like my friend, you might be embarrassed.
On the other hand, if things continue to go well, you will have to tell them at some point. That way, they can’t say you never told them. So it may be better to get it out in the open from the beginning.
How to break the news if you decide to tell them
If you decide to tell them, you should breach the subject with a level of caution and sensitivity. You might want to bring it up in conversation rather than just blurting it out. For example, you could mention a dentist appointment you have coming up and then use that to segue into the topic.
In the interest of ripping the bandaid off, you might consider disclosing it early on. If they have a problem with it, you can save yourself the time and energy of getting too attached to someone who isn’t compatible with you.
What to do if the other person reacts negatively
If they react negatively, try to stay calm and understanding. It’s possible that they might need some time to adjust to the news. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you want to continue pursuing a relationship with someone who isn’t supportive of something you cannot change.
For some people, false teeth are a deal-breaker. And while you may be disappointed if they decide that they don’t want to continue dating you, you should respect their decision.
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