boyfriend with severe dental problems

I have met a lovely man who has very few teeth. He tells me he lost them whilst serving in the Navy in the Middle East when he was involved in a truck bombing. He is terribly self conscious - will not show me the damage- cannot smile , laugh or kiss...He tells me he had bridges before and will again- but no sign of this happening . Would the navy not pay for new teeth even after 20 years? He seems also to show signs of neglect -not just the damage. How can I approach such a sensitive subject without looking totally shallow? I feel it is severely holding me back from having a long relationship with this person. Not being able to kiss is getting me down.
Please is there anyone who can advise me on how to deal with this. I have lovely teeth myself and dental higiene is important to me. This could be a deal breaker. Tweet