Q: I am 38 and this past year, my gum line has receded a ton, and the same four top and bottom teeth have deep, dark brown roots exposed. I brush and floss regularly. My gums don't bleed and my teeth don't hurt. I also have two back molars that are nearly completely decayed. I am severely ADHD and take medication, but I've been on the same meds for over 15 years. I am so afraid to see a dentist because I am a single mother and am finally graduating college in six months, so I have literally no money at all. It's just odd that this is happening so quickly and it isn't painful. What is likely the problem and what should I do? I barely want to speak to people anymore because I'm ashamed and embarrassed and I'm supposed to begin a career in six months. Any advice would be so very appreciated!

We’re sorry your dental problems are affecting your personal life. It sounds like you have gum recession with root exposure, causing staining. This may become a serious issue with several negative outcomes.

Dental pain varies from person to person. You may not feel it, but that doesn't mean the problem isn't there.

We recommend seeing a dentist as soon as possible. They will discuss the best treatment options with you. Call your dental office and ask the cost of an initial consultation. If you don't have a dentist and live in Winnipeg, we'd be happy to accommodate you at one of our offices. Give us a call at either location - St. Vital 204-255-0587 or Garden City 204-334-4341.

We understand financing dental care is costly. Plenty of people in Canada struggle to get dental care for this reason. If you don’t have dental insurance or the means to pay out-of-pocket, we recommend looking into non-insured benefits packages from the Government of Canada. Some First Nations and Inuit peoples may be eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program. For other potential benefits options, try the Canadian Benefits Finder.

If you don’t qualify for government funding, see if you get employee benefits. As a busy mom, you may not be able to find work that fits in your schedule. However, certain part-time employers may offer packages that include partial dental coverage. We've also published a post about receding gums and potential causes. This may give you some insight before you're able to see a dentist: https://www.dentalimage.ca/2018/02/08/recession-gums-winnipeg/