Teeth issue leaves boy in agony - Mother wants help to pay for surgery

Khaliem Kenton has been experiencing excruciating pain, resulting from abnormal teeth growth, due to him being born with cleft lip.

The boy, seven, is in dire need of US$3,000 (approximately J$435,000) to do a corrective mouth surgery, as he is now unable to eat properly and he struggles with word formulation. His confidence is also affected by the condition. Kenton's mother, Altoneisha Clarke, told THE STAR that her child has been living in agony.

"Some of the teeth that are displaced keep pressing down on his tongue and gum, and X-ray shows that some of his teeth are growing out at top of his gum, so because of that he is always in pain," Clarke, 30, said. She added: "He can talk but sometimes some words don't come out properly and he gets upset when he needs something and can't express himself."

The mother revealed that Kenton's cleft lip was fixed when he was much younger.

"He was born with cleft lip and his palate was split. When he was three months they did his lips and when he was one year old they did his palate. He has been going to Children's Hospital to do regular check-ups, and if anything is wrong with the mouth them deal with it," said Clarke. "But Children's don't have an orthodontist so they recommend that he go outside to do a mouth surgery and get braces. I had no idea he would have this problem since his lip was fixed, and worse, that it would be so much money." Clarke, a security guard, can't foot the bill.

"I think the condition also makes him shy, he doesn't talk much," she said. "I need him to get some help because I don't have the money, my pay is barely for food."

Those who wish to assist Kenton may contact his grandmother, Sophia Clarke, at 876- 535-2740 or GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/stae3s-help-keep-khaliem-smiling?qid=2b31ead8...