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Never had I thought that my days in this world are numbered, just like anyone else.
At the age of 24, young and energetic, I thought life was my oyster. I could just
go
and take on the world, make it mine and have it forever. The idea of immortality
just never found a place in a mind that was ever so positive.
But a session in a dental clinic this morning proved me wrong. Wanting to safeguard a pre-molar tooth which had chipped off one fifth of it, I made an appointment with the dentist. Thinking that it could just be my lack of calcium intake which caused the teeth to be weak (hence, 'fragile'), I asked the doctor if something can be done to improve the situation. After a quick check, while sitting on the multi-degree rotational chair under a bright lighting, the doctor gave me a shock. There was a big cavity in the
pre-molar, caused by tooth decay. She was going to cut the tooth into half and do some filling. But since the hole was so large, she warned that the filling might not stick. She even went one step ahead to say that the remedy would at most last me a few years before a proper
root canal treatment (RCT) has to be performed.
For a person who has not gone through any major operation, such a treatment is undoubtedly quite a shock to take. What's more, after all these peaceful years with my teeth, the last thing I would expect is tooth decay! Feeling betrayed and angry with my teeth which seemed to enjoy giving me unpleasant surprise without warning, I asked the doctor to go and check EACH AND EVERYTHING tooth that I had. There you go ... another few major discoveries. My two lower wisdom teeth are showing sign of decay!
As if the RCT is not enough, the doctor suggested that all four of my wisdom teeth shall be removed. "HUH?! ALL FOUR? Do you think I have a hundred teeth at my disposal!?!?!", I thought. Then she went on to explain her suggestion, which was more of a preventive measure than a cure. If you think that it is going to be just an ordinary extraction of teeth, think again! It basically involves surgery, where
anesthetic and stitching are common. Look at what the doctor has to say:
After the operation, when the anesthetic has worn off, you may need to take painkillers. You will also have to take antibiotics to prevent any infection of the wound. There is usually some swelling of the cheek which may last about 4 to 5 days. This is normal and you should not be alarmed. The swelling may also cause some stiffness of your jaw. Your dentist will check on your condition about 5 days later during which time the stitches will be removed.
To be frank, I have never gone through any surgery before in my life. That's why when any doctor asks me if I am allergic to any medicine, or have undertaken any surgery, I would always pride myself and tell them a straight 'NO!'. But why is there a change?!
For those of us whose jaws are too small to accommodate the four wisdom teeth, two of the lower ones would be prevented from fully erupting. This will result in an impacted wisdom tooth, which gives rise to infection of the gum around the partially erupted wisdom tooth.
This suddenly reminds me of my ex-housemate who went through the same treatment last September. When she was telling me her pain of withstanding the four days of swelling, I was still enjoy eating my food (dinner time), shaking my head to show empathy, but deep down inside, 'knowing' that it wouldn't happen to me. Now, here I am, about to go through the same torturing experience as hers!
Now, when I looked back at the session this morning, I was more in fear than in anger. It has been such a long time since I last had this fearful experience. Yes, going through exams and trying hard to meet deadlines might cause us worries and sometimes, fear. But they are all at the mental level. When it comes to physical pain,
esp. when the doctor's EQ is not high enough to package the truth in a more acceptable way (she had been such blunt with her statement, which, supposedly, was her job. She'd better watch Patch Adam!!!), the inner fear is very real.
All this experience tells me one thing, that nothing in our body is going to be permanent. We are but a soul residing in a perishable frame, which will, one day, expire, like any food. While we might extend the expiry date with proper maintenance, such as keeping the food in the fridge, eventually, it will come a time when the perishable has to deteriorate and go. In other words, our days are always numbered. Just that either it would carry a label that denotes '21900', or '17520' or '13140' etc... 'left on shelf'. Before we hit the day, what else have we not done? What other things have we not achieved?
This is not a pessimistic way to look at life. Instead, it is the realistic way to treat life as it is. Sometimes, I do wonder why some people can spend hours a day watching TV or playing games, while there are so much interesting things in life to explore, to learn and to grow. Even though the experience with the dentist has not been a comforting one, it actually comes as a blessing in disguise. Now, I've got a better reason to prioritize in life, for I don't have forever to work on something. There are just too many dreams yet unfulfilled. And there is no reason why they should be kept unfulfilled.
With a heart to share for mutual growth,
Yin Choon
ps: Just found out from my other housemate that she also faced the same problem with her wisdom teeth (pending for removal). AH! Why are they so much of a pain in the neck, yet still being called 'WISDOM' teeth? Perhaps it drives home a message, that the path to gaining 'wisdom' is never easy. It might be
torturing, it might be painful, but the rewards that it brings at the end of it, can be as overwhelmingly sweet. I am all for the rewards, because to me, there is just no other way out.
Root canal
treatment, RCT is essentially a treatment to remove the infected pulp (which contains nerves and blood vessels that nourishes the tooth). After that, the hollow pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, filled and sealed with an artificial crown. Strictly speaking, after the treatment, the tooth is already considered dead. But there is value in retaining the outer shell of the tooth, so that it won't give rise to gum disease and new
cavities.
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