A pensioner who was unable to get a filling replaced on the NHS six years ago has shared the state his now finds his teeth in.

John Evans went to a Downham Market dentist in 2018, after a filling fell out while he was brushing his teeth. He says he was told the practice was not accepting NHS patients.

He claims the ordeal left him disheartened with dentistry and he opted not to replace the filling, despite needing a set of partial dentures on his lower teeth.

In recent months he has seen his bottom teeth severely deteriorate, with two breaking off.

John Evans, from Downham Market, says he has lost all confidence in dentistry (Image: John Evans) However, his confidence in dental services is so low that he dares not seek help.

The 73-year-old hopes that sharing his story will help highlight the region's dental crisis.

He said: "I do not like to go outdoors with my teeth like this and it makes eating very difficult.

"I've had some very nasty chewing and choking problems, it is just horrible."

Retired photographer Mr Evans has yet to seek help with his latest troubles,  but said he would go to his GP if it caused him more pain.

He believes his new difficulties may not have arisen if his filling had been replaced in 2018.

He said: "I hope this will help people wake up to the problem.

"I've got a neighbour in his 90s who is still wearing the dentures he was given during his national service and has been quoted £4,000 privately to replace them.

"If I end up in A&E that will heap more pressure on hospitals that are already under strain.

"It seems there is no real motivation to do anything about it."