Dear Tyra,

I am turning 19 in two months. I am from Vancouver, Canada.
Tyra, you truly are an inspiring beautiful woman! I proudly look up to you for strength and confidence.
But most of the time it is hard for me to be confident and think I'm beautiful. Everyone around me has big beautiful teeth. They get to show off their pretty smiles.
While I have the largest over bite I've ever seen in my life. Not to mention how many over crowded and crocked teeth I have. Sometimes it really hurts my mouth and jaw. Sometimes I look in the mirror and open my mouth and get so disgusted at what I see and I start to cry.
No matter who I am talking to all they can see is my big crocked teeth. It makes me feel so low that I hardly talk when someone is directly looking at my face. I wait until they are looking away.
In pictures I smile with my teeth pushed in and it hurts so bad but I don't want my buck teeth to be visible. I even photoshop my pictures sometimes just so my teeth wont look as horrible.
The honnest people tell me I really need to go to the dentist and get braces and surgery. I never say anything. But I always end up going home and crying to myself.
I've grown up my entire life poor. My mother passed away and my dad isnt in my life. So my super hero Great Grandmother has raised me all my life. She truly is the most amazing person I know. All she does is give, give, give. Our love for each other is so strong and powerful. She is my life. That is why I don't get mad at the fact that we are poor or that she can't fix my teeth. Because I know she tries her best. I know that we could never afford any kind of surgery or braces.
All my friends are pretty well of so they don't understand why my teeth are still like this or why i can't just get braces.
All my life all I think about when meeting new people are standing up in front of a large group is that they will notice my teeth. I've gone through so many hardships in my life. But this is one of the worst because there is nothing I can do to fix it. It never goes away. It's looking directly at me.
I also have a large amount of scars all over my body from scratching and bites. Mainly on my legs. I never ever wear shorts, unless I have black stocking under. I haven't gone swimming since I was 12. My legs look like I'm a drug addict or something.
Tyra I'm sick of hiding from the world, from myself. It's hurting both emotionally and physically. I don't think I can put up with is for the rest of my life.
I always think to myself everyday, maybe Tyra will help me.
So please Tyra I need your help before it's too late.
I need a miracle and you are my only hope.

I want to Alma-mail address with respect and appreciation for your programme

It has entered my heart Kdban the Postal Alketroni sister almost lost hope and Tdt that Russell from the bottom of my heart all loyal friend houba

Hello, Tyra
I'm kinda embarrass right now. I couldn't even put my hole name because i'm ashame. I live in N.C. I thought i was the only one that was having this problem, but i guess not. I'm hoping that you will respond to my email cause i need a lot of help. I work and i can't afford to go to the dentist. I need bridges and much much more. I'm a single mother and i'm having hard times. As i email you with this comment at work, i break down. I just want to smile. I won't even go out on a date because of my teeth. I'm scared someone may see them and call it quits. I'm 24 years old and i have lots of migrains that use to make me sick alot. Now i found the right medication to take so i'm not sick all the time. Thats what started my teeth to rot. Now its just spreading top to bottom. I just don't have the funds to go to the doctor. I call around in my home town and everybody prices are the same. I don't even have near that much money. I live from paycheck to paycheck. I pray everynite that god send me a angle or miracle. I just don't know what else to do. please reply if you can't even help me. I been having this problem since i was 16yrds old you CAN amagin how it look now......PLEASE!!!!!!

My name is Jamie. I live in Georgia. I seen this episode on the tyra show, and I've been wantin to get on and write for a long time. I am 17 years old, turning 18 in January, and I have a issue. I have been so self conscious with my smile since i was young. I have a big over bite, and it really makes me self conscious..while i was in school people would say things about my teeth, and make faces. Its something i want to change about myself, I love myself, but I hate my teeth. I hate that everytime I wanna smile big, or am laughing hard I have to think about my smile, and cover it up, because of me being so self conscious. But my family can't afford braces, and I cant afford them paying for them myself. I had braces at one time, but my parents couldn't pay for them anymore, so I had to take them off myself. I was so upset...I just want to be able to smile without having to cover it up, or constantly think about what it looks like to other people. I was actually watching a home video of my nephews first birthday and I seen myself smiling and I couldn't watch it, and I refused to watch it. It was just embarrassing because I didn't know that it looked like that. Now i'm more self conscious than ever, and I just wish I could get some help with my problem. if you could help in ANY way would be a blessing. Thank you.

hey tyra how are you doing well i'm 17 turnig 18 in june 23 of this year and i'm living with my boyfriend. I got kicked out of my house but thats not the case i live in Virginia.. like i was saying i have a boyfrind and he is the most wonderful person on the world to me ans i hate seeing him with his both his teeth broken on each side of his mouth i think its his molers something like that. it's the chewing teeth and his other teeth are in bad shape sometimes he tells me that they hurt and a little ball starts to form were one of the tooth is broken and i hate seeing that i tryed saving money but its just to much too fix it he's 18 can you please help me i don't know what to do tyra also he got both his teeth broken because he got in a fight and the guy punched him on both sides of his jaw and broked them... please help me do something for him because he takes good care of me through the rough moments i had to go through.

My name is Mckiver, but I go by the name of Rose. I'm 22, and I'll be turning 23 on June 19th. I have twin girls, they are my life Tyra wouldn't trade them for nothing in the world. I have a HUGE problem. My smile, I have this serious underbite, and I'm not happy with myself. My teeth use to be crooked, until I got braces, but I had to get them off because I can't afford to keep them on, and they needed to be on for me to get operation, on my underbite. I know you have lots of people writing you, and you might not even read my letter, but Tyra you don't have to live with this smile I have. When people see me smile they're like do you chew tobacco, or why does your lip stick out like that? That hurts me, but my parents doesn't see that. They're like your beautiful.I cry at night all the time, and no one knows. I've been dealing with this underbite all my life Tyra. If you can help me It will mean the world to me. I love the show.

Hello Tyra,
I see a lot of people inquire about their teeth getting fixed. But I am in need of it. I can not afford it or I would have done this a long time ago. But I have a couple cavities that need caps put on them, a couple baby teeth still there that need to be pulled out, then braces to push down my other "adult" teeth, and my front teeth shaved down because they are big! I would send you pictures if you need them to see how bad they are! Well hope to hear back from you soon!
Amanda

Hey Tyra!

I did not know what I wrote was going to appear that fast. I have so much to say to you that I had to write you again, Lol! :):). Tyra I didn't say everything that I wanted to say. I know you are probably going to say what a big age difference between Terry and I. Well I love younger men! plus if you ever saw me I don't look my age..... I have a body like a 30 yr old. Tyra there was something else I needed to ask you! could you please help me plan my wedding, I don't have a clue about planning a wedding....hell I never wanted to get marry! guess God had other plans. I just would love to have a beautiful smile again, to take my wedding pictures or any pictures for that matter. I haven't taken any pictures in 10 yrs. Terry and I even haven't taken any pictures because of my teeth. I don't show them much when I'm talking. You know what Tyra i'm a fun, loving, outgoing people person myself....you know these days I just need a little help on life, if I didn't beleive in God I think I would have killed myself a long time ago. Thanks be to God i'm still here. :):) well that's all for now. I really like this, I always wanted to talk to you, but didn't know how to go about it. Tyra please write me back or call me sometime...I know you don't have the time to do this, just thought I would ask anyway. I look forward to watching you on the show next week. Keep being you gurl, I love you.

Peace and Blessings,

Wanda

Hello Tyra,

Oh my girl! here I thought I was going to be the only one writing you about my teeth, man was I wrong! I never thought these many people needed help with the same thing I need help with. Gurl I love you so much, I'm not a person who watch talk shows; but when I first saw your show I was like I really want to meet this beautiful, sexy, tall, straight to the point, funny, caring women. I'm a 42 year old women who moved from New york (Long Beach Long Island) to Maryland and i'm about to marry the man that God sent me. He is 30 yrs old and I love him very much. Well to get to why I'm writing you...Terry ( that's my man):) love's me for me and loves me very, very much. My problem is that I truly don't want to take my wedding pictures with teeth like mine. I don't work right now, i'm living off my 401K and Terry helps me a lot. I wish I could afford to get my teeth fixed but I can't right now and my wedding is next year April 25th. I need so much work done to my teeth that I would never be able to afford it. Well sweetie I know i'm just another letter, I just wanted to write and talk to you about my situation anyway. Tyra please write me back sometime if you get a chance, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance,

Peace and Blessings
Wanda Coad

Hi Tyra! My name is Jill, I am a 24 year old mother of two. I have a wonderful fiancé named Wes. He is an awesome dad and he works so hard to take care of us. The only thing lacking from this wonderful man is his self-esteem. He is a very good looking man but he has bad teeth from some type of bone or calcium deficiency. Wes has had numerous teeth pulled, route canals, and broken teeth. He never had a very good dental care either. His grandfather was supposed to get him his braces put passed away before he had a chance to help him. His father hasn’t been able to help either because he has been battling cancer for 2 years and as you probably already know it is very costly. I don’t know who else to ask for help from but you. You always try to help as many people as you can and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try and write you.
Wes barely ever smiles because he doesn’t want anyone to see the way his mouth looks. He doesn’t even kiss me anymore and I believe it’s because of his teeth because before his teeth got really bad things were different. I am writing to you because with 2 children, a home and bills I can not afford to help him. I believe he is perfect the way he is but he disagrees. I love him so much and I feel so bad that I can’t make him happy and give him this one thing I believe he deserves. We have a 3yr old son and a 5yr old daughter, been together for almost 7 years and we have not one picture of all four of us together because he doesn’t like to have his picture taken. I want Wes to be able to take pictures, smile and just be able to look in the mirror with confidence and be able to say I love that person.
Please Tyra, I don’t know where else to turn to for help. It would truly be a blessing to have your help in this. Thanks for taking the time to read this I know you are a very busy woman. I love you and I will be watching you everyday as always!
You are Awesome!! xoxo

Hi there Tyra!!! Hi...my name is Cedrica Lee. I am 21 years old.I come from a small town Chinle, Az. But currently living in Tucson Az. I work two jobs. And I have two children, a boy and a girl. They are the wonderful precious gifts that has ever happen to me. Other than my jobs that I do , I also want to be a native model. I have audition for modeling before and always got rejected, not because of not doing the cat walk right or the spinning or the twirling. It was always because of my TEETH. I try not to smile when I take the pictures or do a pose. It's that sometimes thats what they want me to do . It's also because of my legs by my butt are a lil too stretch. Yea because I had two kids , thats the only place I've had stretch marks. Ayway I would always get comments about if I was a model or i should try to be a model.Because of my high cheek bone, or being skinney and tall, and my eyes. I do try extra extra hard. But my hard work doesn't pay off. :( I am struggling with my two children , my bills, my life, I want to be the one who everyone looks at diffrently where I come from. All I want is to be the beautiful navajo mommy who's living the dream of being a native model, or could be America's Next Top Model!!!!! THANK YOU TYRA FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READING ABOUT MY LIFE....I LOVE YOU !!! YOUR COOLEST MODEL EVER!! GOODLUCK WITH THE UPCOMING SHOWS. JUST ONE MORE THING...
I have another audition coming up on May 10,2008 in Window Rock Az. Wish me luck and pray for me, because I hope I get this gig. And if I do I will write to you and tell you what happen....thanks again...
Cedrica Lee

hey Tryra
my name is lisa and from St.Lucia, Every day i watches your show, it makes me wiser, am a poor little girl, i wish i had money so i could came on your show for a make over. It's not my fault am poor and you are richbut i wish i could come on your show for real.
many love from lisa

Heyyyy Tyra! Thank you for all of you wonderful advice! My daughter and I watch you anytime your on! When you did the story on Alma I cried! Not out of envy but that I can relate to her. I am a 40 year old single Momma of two teen. In 2000 I started having seizures. Then I had some other problems. I feltlike a surgeons dream. After the first seizure the doctors found blood in my urine. The did a scope to check both kidneys and my bladder. Couldn't find anything. Next they decided I had acid reflux and suggested me having a procedure called the Nissin Procedure. It's where the wrap the top part of my stomach around my esophagus. In hope it would reduce my acid reflux. It didn't but I did drop about 30lbs. Well I was still having problems and the next doctor thought maybe a small muscle at the bottom of my gall bladder my be froze and he wanted to see if he could release it. So off to surgery again. A scope is put down my throat through my intestines all the way up to the bottom of my gall bladder. Only problem was a small risk of pancreatitis. Only 40% and he assured my I carried none of the risk factors. It was an outpatient procedure. Be home that afternoon. And I was! lol Well got home and layed down that when I knew something was terribly wrong. Made back to hospital and you sure enough I have pancreatitis!! That was the worst pain I had ever experienced and I had giving birth twice naturally. So I was then put in the hospital for over 2 weeks. NOTHING to eat or drink! At all. The woman in the bed next to me had the same thing and she died. After I recovered from that mess i went back to my doctor and he then informed me my gall bladder needed to be taken out. So I had that done. That was it no more!! Leave me alone!! One year later I had a total hysterectomy!! yeahhhhh!! I finally had relief. Still had seizure from time to time but never diagnosed with anything. No medication either. In 2003 I started having them again but still no definite answer. Well In 2006 I had my first knee surgery March 30th and then my right knee May 25th. Something went wrong and I dont know what. It was outpatient surgery so I came home that day. I started having seizures that night. Since I have them off and on we really didnt worry too much and we knew the emergency room would do NOTHING. With my daughter by my side we just had a long night. Well the next morning I had a gran mal seizure. Turned purple and wasnt breathing. My son and room mate all came down to my room. 911 was called. The operator instructed them to raise my right arm over my head I guess in hopes to open my airway?? Anyways my son tried but my arm wouldnt move. I'm in a seizure it's not going to. But the operator instructed him to try again and push harder. The ball of my shoulder snapped loose and the arm bone snapped off the ball. My collar bone was pointing straight down. I didn't feel this because I was in a seizure. Needless to say I was taken to the emergency room. They couldn't fix it there so I was sent to Jackson Mississippi. I had a severed artery in my arm so they couldnt do surgery to repair my damaged arm until I was given two pints of blood.
So here I am, two years later no health insurance, no way to get my medicines or even have my arm looked at. It NEVER stops hurting. But thats not my problem that I am contacting you about. Over time with all my surgery and seizures my teeth are shot! I hate to smile. I want to! I'm not working right now for a couple of reasons. I have always done manual labor jobs. Kinda hard to do with a bum arm and two bum knees. I would like to work a secretary job or something like that dealing with the public. I want to show the world that I am a very upbeat fun person but I can't I hate smiling! Its awful! I am going to be a Grammy the end of July. My daughter is having a boy! His name will be Dax Micheal! I'm so excited! I want to have pictures taken with me and Dax! I know I will whether I get my teeth fixed but wow how nice would it be to shine a real smile rather than the hand over the mouth smile or the blahhh don't look at me grin!! I'm famous for it!!
Ok I didnt mean to type you a book! I hate asking for help. I do understand there are far worse cases than mind. But hey ya never know til ya ask!! Please Tyra I need your help!! Help me smile for my grandson!!! Thanks for at leat reading my babble!!! lol Have a blessed week!!!! Much love to you and everyone at the Tyra show!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Dear Tyra,

Hello, my name is Amber I'm 20 years old, and married to a wonderful man that loves me no matter what I look like. I also wrote to you about a show idea, which I'm going post here.

"Beautiful women with imperfections."

I know so many people ask you for your help, and you can only help a few. I -do- have teeth problems, my teeth are decaying, ready to fall out of my mouth in a few years. It looks like I've been eating Oreo Cookies. My husband loves me regardless, he was the one that came up with the show idea.

But this isn't just about me. It's about other women, and young girls who suffer from this same problem. I know in my heart if you could help everyone you would. But us, as humans, can only do so much for others. But I'm happy that you at least try and help those that you can.

I hope, you could pick me for a teeth makeover, but I know the chances are low, but my husband pushes me to at least ask, he hopes to God, that you could pick me out of the millions who ask you.

If not me, at least someone who really deserves it. Because, even though my teeth are bad, seeing someone else go through a transformation that will change their life, changes mine in a way to. To know that there is help out there, and that someone in this world does care.

Tyra, please help me! If not me, someone who really needs it. Thank you Tyra!

Love, and always a faithful fan,
Amber

hello. my name is Mark Hack. i live in Austin Texas and just turned 30 years old. i have a bad problem with my mouth that i can't seem to ever fix. and just seems to get worse all the time. i have a little girl now and love her so much. but with this problem i can't help her like i would love to. i have some of the worse teeth iv have even seen. I'm good with computers, i bulid them and can repair them. but with the way i am no one can hardly look at me let alone hire me. i been trying for years to find a way to get my mouth fixed. but with my know how i can't seem to get nowhere. this is my last chance for help, i don't know if i can keep trying like i am. i only seem to get hurt each time i think i found a way out and nothing ever happens.

all i would like to do is work for my little girl. most of the people that get helped are people that try and run off from having kids or anything to do with them. i love my little girl and even with this problem i still stick around and help out where ever i can with her. i do all i can with what i have to work with.

my long lasting goal was to get my teeth fixed and get a better job installing cable or something more with computers. but i was working at john kelly auto sales for a little over a year and wasn't able to do nothing but work. i was working there with my unkel in till he got sick and passed away last year. since then iv been out of work and hope for getting my life better. as of now i feel like im lost with no hope of being found.

and all i need to help my little girl is getting my teeth fixed. im good with people and everything i come in contact with. i know i could do good if given the right chance.

thank you for reading.

-Mark Hack

Phone Number : 1-512-552-2243

E-mail : mark_hack@live.com

Hi Tyra,
Well my name is Happy Mosha. I’m 28 years of age and I live in Chicago. Fist of all I would like to congratulate you for everything your doing. It’s not so easy to find people who are so passion with their job like you Tyra. You touch so much daily with the love you have for people. May God bless you.

Well as I introduced myself in the beginning, my name is Happy Mosha. This is the second time am writing to you concerning the problem l have since I was a little girl.
I was born and raised up in Africa, Tanzania. But now lives in Chicago, since I was a little girl people use to tease me because of the Color of my tooth. Tyra I don’t have normal tooth like you. I have colored tooth. I can’t smile or laugh like anybody else for the fear that people will laugh at me, because they always do.

Tyra am just a poor girl who is trying to adjust with life and to some extent this became so difficult because I can’t even have a date. Tyra last December I visited a dentist here in Chicago and he told me I need Lumineers. It expense I don’t thing I will ever be able to afford that by myself. Tyra all I’m asking is for you to help me to get the dentist to solve my Problem. Am sure I can’t pay but God will.

I look forward to hear from you soon.

God bless you.

Happy Mosha.

Hi tyra. my name is jean im 19 years old. i was hoping if you could help me fix my teeth. i used to do drugs and ive been clean for a year and a half already the chemicals ruined almost all of my back teeth and some of my front. It keeps me from being able to eat. Please help tyra

My teeth are worst than hers, can you fix them?

hey tyra,
sorry i made a mistake. im not 14 im 12. sorry bout that.
but still can u fix my problem? my life suckz. i cant take picturez of me smiling big like i want to. i want to though. so could u please help me?

hey tyra,
let me tell u first that you are very beautiful and i love ur show. second i would like to tell u that i have a teeth problem in wich i want u to fix if u wish to. my dentist told me i have to wait till im 16 to get it fixed but i cant wait that long! i hate it when people make fun of me. they make me feel ugly and not wanted. i just wanted to ask u if u could fix it for me? i was born with ugly nasty yellow teeth and i dont even brush. cuz even if i do then it wont make a difference. my dentist will be very upset to see my teeth like this and i dont want them to be disappointed with me. every day people talk about me and it just tears me apart. i dont want to stay like this till im 16! im only 14! i can NOT wait that long. so if u would please help me and get somebody to fix this that would be so great. i cant turn to anybody else cuz nobody will help me. if i get them fixed now it will cost some SERIOUS cash. so help me please?

love,
rebekah

dear tyra
thank you for your show it is really touched me.it has been like a dream of my for a long time.people are some times harsh and they make fun of you for not hairing the money to have a beautiful face.i have big dreams ahead of me i was just wondering if you could help me out.i have a big puff and acne in my face and i have not any solution for my problem i want to be a beautiful like other girls please tyra inderstand me.i think that you will help me certainly.
thank you and god bless

Dear Trya,
Hi my name is Jesse and I am 25 years old and I like all these other people have teeth problems but mine is not a lil over bite or teeth that are not straight but mine.....oh my goodness I cant even begine to tell you how bad they are, I have had all sorts of problems growing up,I had my gall bladder removed when I was 9 due to gall stones and it was dead and deformed.Something that should not and does not happen to kids that age. When I was 14 years old my doctors told me that I would never have children due to sysths that cover more than have of both of my ovarys.Sucks for me because I love kids and I want them so bad but god will bless me if he can. And then we have my teeth.....just to top all the other problems off when I was about 20 years old my teeth started to get bad and I worked a low paying job(very low) and could not afford to go to a dentist nor did my mom every have the money to take me as a child so I got no dental care as a child,anyways they started with the bottom I have no mollers on the bottom on either side.That makes it very hard to chew, I think I have a total of 18 teeth in my mouth and you should have 32 I'm told. not looking so good for me. My teeth a roting all the front ones have no enamal on them none they are black! It is so embarrising. I dont want to smile I try not to look at people when I talk to them so maybe they wont see. My 2 front teeth are ok for now and all the bottom front ones to not perfect but not black either.I just dont dont what to do. I cant pay for it. I have a wonderful I mean wonderful boyfriend that thank god can look past it and loves me no matter what.Bless his heart he tells me some day jesse I am gonna get the money to make your dream come true for that perfect smile. I think about down the line when I want to get married and I have to smile I want to have a beautiful smile on my wedding day.I am not ingaged yet or anything but I think about that stuff. Like getting jobs,haveing to do interviews and I cant even look at them because I dont want them to see my rotten mouth.I am 25 years old this should not have happened or gotten this bad and nothing I do will ever make it better not brushing,flossing,whiteing.ha thats funny. Please Please help me,I would be a big success story! I wanted to attach a picture but I was embarressed to.
I watch your show all the time and I see amazing people that you help,please let me be one of them,Please make my biggest dream come true.
Thank you for takeing the time to read this,I hope I have touch you in some way and you will hepl me.

dear tyra,
I have always had problems with my teeth i have huge over bite and i hate myself for it see everyone makes fun of me because of it and it makes me afraid to smile. no matter what i try to do i cant stop from feeling that i am just plain ugly and discusting and it even made my wedding day weird. my school days were tormented and my graduation day horriable and i just cant afford to have braces or get replacements. if there is any way that you can help me or find a way to help i would really love it. if not it is ok.

Hey Tyra,
Whats up? me nothin i was talking with my sister and we got on the subject of our teeth and there really messed up.. but anyway if you get this and you get my email you should write me and i can tell you the whole story but i didnt really want everyone to read it lol but ya i would really like you to read this little comment and i could write you more detailed lol sounds weird but ohh well lol well ya ttyl bye .... Tasha.....