An ex-fizzy pop addict who is so petrified of the dentist that she didn't go for a decade has been left unable to eat or even use a toothbrush for two years - after her teeth turned black and crumbled away.
Cara Smith, 43, is desperately fundraising £2,000 for private dental treatment as she claims the NHS have been unable to help her despite her teeth "falling apart" in her mouth.
She believes her heavy smoking is one of the key reasons for her tooth decay, as well as drinking around two litres of fizzy drinks every day.
Cara said the situation has been made worse by her long-standing phobia of the dentist, which leaves her trembling in fear or triggers her to run in the opposite direction, so has to be sedated for any form of treatment.
Suffering a breakdown as a young adult meant self-care was the "last thing on her mind" for around 10 years and her teeth swiftly deteriorated.
The dog lover claims she eventually contacted the dentist back in December 2018 due to her teeth getting worse, but was put on the waiting list and has chased up the appointment several times.
Since March 2020, the pain became so unbearable that she's been unable to get more than a couple of hours' kip each night, brush her teeth or eat even the softest of foods, so has been surviving on supplement shakes.
Photos captured by Cara show her decayed teeth, which she described as a "crumbling mess", that have caused her to become a recluse.
She's now fundraising to have treatment privately and is hoping having her teeth removed and a set of dentures will finally allow her to "get her life back".
Cara, from near Tavistock, Cornwall, said: "I have a phobia [of the dentist], big time.
"I shake, I'm in tears. I've walked up to a dentist before now and have literally run the opposite direction in fear.
"It's the noises and sounds and when they're having a look, I can't see what they're doing and it just scares the hell out of me.
"My fear started around 20 years ago when they started bringing out the injection to numb your mouth. I think having that triggered the fear."
Cara claims her situation got so dire she was compelled to contact the dentist back in December 2018. However, due to her phobia she asked to be referred to have sedation dentistry and joined the waiting list.
Around six months later she called for an update and was told she'd have to wait 18 months.
She claims that when she's repeatedly called she's been told she's "on the waiting list" and there's a backlog due to Covid-19.
She's also called 111 who provided her with a number to call for an emergency dental appointment, but claims they can't guarantee sedative dentistry and it could also be anywhere in Cornwall.
Given she doesn't drive and the only person that would be able to accompany her doesn't either, she says such an appointment isn't possible.
Cara, who smokes 30 cigarettes a day, said: "I can't eat, not even anything soft like a yoghurt because I can't put a spoon or anything in my mouth.
"I'm still living on supplement shakes [since March 2020] and haven't had a meal since then.
"I can't put anything too hot or too cold in my mouth, like a hot drink, because it just hurts.
"I can't put a toothbrush in there so I can't brush my teeth or anything. I haven't brushed my teeth since March 2020."
Cara said her teeth are black, holey and "falling apart here, there and everywhere".
They're now decaying so much that every now and again she'll be "picking teeth out" with her tongue, and she's prescribed 200 painkillers a month from the doctor.
Cara said: "17 years ago I went through a really bad time and self-care was the last thing on my mind at that time.
"It was like I had a breakdown and I went through a lot of trauma and I just didn't take care of myself and then I started smoking and it got heavier and heavier."
The pain has gotten so bad that she can't do simple, everyday things.
"[Now] I'm in constant pain. I have ear infections and the pain is horrendous. I can't sleep, lie on it or do anything. I get pain under my jaw because it just all hurts," she went on.
"The cold air hits my teeth. I can't put a scarf around my mouth to try and keep the cold out from my face because I overheat, and because I have a heart problem I overheat very quickly. I've tried.
"I get a maximum of a couple of hours sleep a night.
Cara said she moved to Cornwall around four years ago - but her teeth have hindered her from making new friendships.
Cara said: "I stay indoors because I don't want to go outside and for people to see my teeth.
"I wouldn't go to my brother's wedding because of my teeth.
"I'm absolutely ashamed, it disgusts me. People don't want to see that.
"It's the snide comments like 'look at her, she's got no teeth, look at those manky teeth' and things like that. You can hear people smirking and it's upsetting."
Cara claims that the last time she went to see the dentist for sedative treatment was around six years ago where she lost her front top teeth.
At this point she asked for them all to be removed, but this was refused.
Cara said: "I'm hoping to have sedated dentistry so they can just take my teeth out and I can have dentures.
"It's available on the NHS but I've been waiting since 2018 which is why I've set up the GoFundMe so I can go private.
"I just want to be able to eat and smile again. And be normal."
A spokesperson for NHS England and NHS Improvement South West said: "Unfortunately we are unable to comment on a specific case.
"We have asked Ms Smith to contact our dental team so we can look into her situation further."
To donate to Cara's GoFundMe, click here.
