For years, 21-year-old Harrison McKinley avoided showing his teeth. He covered his mouth when he laughed, smiled with his lips tightly closed, and felt a knot of anxiety every time he appeared in photos or videos. His dental problems, which began in childhood, had become a source of deep insecurity.
Then, one night, McKinley made a decision that would change everything. He posted a vulnerable video about his teeth on TikTok — and within days, complete strangers had raised more than $19,000 to help him fix his smile. This is the story of how one young man’s courage to be honest about his struggles sparked an outpouring of generosity from people he had never met.
The Man Behind the Viral Story
Harrison McKinley is a 21-year-old retail worker from Missouri. His dental problems started when he was a child. His mother took him to a dentist who pulled his two front teeth. Later, McKinley learned that the extraction had been unnecessary — but the damage was already done. The removal caused his remaining teeth to grow in overlapping one another, creating a cascade of dental problems that only worsened over time.
“I was never good at taking care of my teeth, so I was getting root canals and crowns on my broken teeth, and those problems still haunt me to this day,” McKinley told PEOPLE.
The physical pain has been constant. He often experiences pain on the right side of his mouth, particularly in his molar, and has adapted by eating only on the left side to avoid discomfort. But the emotional toll has been just as significant. He rarely smiles in pictures and changed the way he laughs to hide his teeth.
Why He Was Afraid to Show His Teeth Online
When McKinley decided to share his story on TikTok, he stayed up nearly all night debating whether to post the video. He had seen other creators document similar journeys and thought it might help hold him accountable as he worked toward fixing his teeth. But the fear of judgment was overwhelming.
“It was very vulnerable, and I was terrified to post to the internet that I have messed-up teeth. I was sure I’d get bullied for looking the way I do,” he recalled.
After staring into the mirror for an hour, he finally posted the video. Before going to bed, it had reached nearly 1,000 views — more than he had expected. When he woke up the next morning, the video had 30,000 views. “I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy, a feeling I say I’ll remember for a long time,” he said. Since then, his videos have collectively racked up a million views.
The Role of Dental Insurance and Cost
McKinley’s financial struggles are a reality shared by millions of Americans. After he aged out of his mother’s insurance, he had no dental coverage and has been paying out of pocket for everything.
He recently returned to the dentist to learn how much work he still needed. The estimate came to $8,000 to address infected molars, root canals, cavities, and broken crowns — before he could even consider braces or Invisalign. That figure didn’t include the student loans and living expenses that made dental care feel impossible.
“I got to the point where I could no longer afford my teeth appointments, because I had almost $4,000 in student loans that needed to be dealt with,” he said. “I also had everyday living expenses, food, bills, helping my family out whenever they needed it, so I had less and less money to put toward my teeth, and they ended up on the back burner.”
How Strangers Learned About His Situation
After McKinley’s first TikTok video gained traction, viewers encouraged him to create a GoFundMe campaign. The response was immediate and overwhelming.
One act of kindness in particular has stayed with him. Before tackling his dental bills, McKinley was working to pay off his student loans, which sat at just over $10,000. A woman who had followed his journey from the beginning — and had made his very first donation — gave him another $830 simply because she wanted to help bring his total debt below $10,000.
“I will never forget her kindness,” McKinley said, “and I’ll always look back on the messages I got from strangers telling me they’re proud of me, or that they’re excited for my…”
Strangers Raise $19,000
In total, strangers have raised more than $19,000 to help McKinley fix his smile and pay down his student loans. The campaign was inspired entirely by viewers who saw his TikTok videos and felt moved to help.
This level of generosity is not unique. Crowdfunding platforms have become a lifeline for people facing expensive dental procedures they cannot otherwise afford. The Sunday Mirror reported that new GoFundMe appeals for dentistry increased from 627 in 2019 to 1,297 in 2024, with a further 31% rise projected for 2025.
McKinley is deeply grateful. “The financial side has been pretty expensive this whole ride,” he admitted. But now, thanks to strangers, he has a path forward.
Why Crowdfunding Can Change Lives
Crowdfunding has transformed how people access help for unexpected expenses. Platforms like GoFundMe allow individuals to share their stories and receive support from communities they never knew existed.
Small donations add up quickly when a story resonates. Emotional storytelling, transparency about needs, and social sharing all contribute to successful campaigns. In many cases, people donate because they see themselves in the person asking for help — or simply because they want to be part of a positive outcome.
For McKinley, the campaign has been about more than money. It has been about connection. “I will never forget her kindness,” he said of one donor, “and I’ll always look back on the messages I got from strangers telling me they’re proud of me.”
More Than a Smile
Dental problems affect far more than appearance. They can impact confidence, social interaction, and even the ability to eat without pain. McKinley experiences pain every time he eats on the right side of his mouth, and he has changed his eating habits to avoid it.
For many people, the emotional toll is just as heavy. McKinley rarely smiles in photos and has altered the way he laughs to hide his teeth. These small adaptations can add up to a significant impact on quality of life.
The $19,000 raised will help McKinley address his immediate dental needs — the infected molars, root canals, cavities, and broken crowns that cause him daily pain. The funds will also help with his student loans, removing one more barrier to moving forward.
The Human Side of Online Kindness
What makes McKinley’s story so compelling is not the amount raised — it’s the fact that strangers cared enough to help. People who have never met him, who live in different states and lead different lives, decided to contribute to his future.
This kind of generosity is a reminder of the best aspects of online communities. In a digital landscape often defined by division and negativity, stories like McKinley’s show that empathy and kindness still thrive. People want to help when they see someone being vulnerable and honest.
What Happens Next?
McKinley is now able to move forward with the dental work he has needed for years. His dentist has outlined a treatment plan covering root canals, cavities, and broken crowns. Once that foundational work is complete, he can consider orthodontic treatment to straighten his teeth.
He has not yet confirmed when his treatment will begin or how long it will take. But for the first time in a long time, he has hope.
What Readers Can Learn From the Story
McKinley’s experience offers several lessons:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Vulnerability can be a strength. McKinley was terrified to share his story, but doing so opened the door to life-changing support.
Small acts of kindness matter. The woman who gave $830 to help reduce his student debt made a lasting impression. Every donation, no matter the size, contributed to the total.
Dental health is expensive. Without insurance, even routine care can be out of reach. McKinley’s experience is a reminder of the importance of dental coverage and preventive care.
Crowdfunding can be a lifeline. For those facing unexpected medical or dental expenses, legitimate crowdfunding platforms can connect people with community support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the man afraid to show his teeth online?
Harrison McKinley was terrified of being bullied for his appearance. He spent nearly all night debating whether to post his first TikTok video, convinced people would judge him negatively.
How much money did strangers raise for him?
Strangers raised more than $19,000 to help cover his dental treatment and student loans.
Why did he not have dental insurance?
McKinley aged out of his mother’s insurance and has had no coverage since. He has been paying for dental care out of pocket.
How did people learn about his story?
He shared his dental struggles on TikTok, where his videos collectively gained more than a million views. Viewers encouraged him to start a GoFundMe campaign.
What will the $19,000 raised be used for?
The funds will help cover his dental treatment — which includes infected molars, root canals, cavities, and broken crowns — as well as his student loans.
Can crowdfunding help pay for dental treatment?
Yes, crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe have become increasingly common for people facing expensive dental procedures. New campaigns for dentistry more than doubled between 2019 and 2024.
Why is dental treatment expensive without insurance?
Without insurance, patients pay the full cost of procedures. Routine cleanings can cost hundreds of dollars, while restorative work like root canals and crowns can run into the thousands.
What can people do if they cannot afford dental care?
Options include researching community health centers, asking dentists about payment plans, looking into dental schools for reduced-cost care, and, in some cases, starting a legitimate crowdfunding campaign.
Conclusion
Harrison McKinley’s story is a powerful reminder that no one should have to face their struggles alone. The man who raised $19,000 to fix his teeth didn’t achieve this through luck or privilege — he achieved it through courage. He chose to be honest about his insecurities, and strangers responded with kindness.
His journey is far from over. The dental work ahead will take time, and the financial challenges will not disappear overnight. But for the first time in years, McKinley has hope. He can look forward to eating without pain, smiling without shame, and laughing without covering his mouth.