My root canal

 For some time now, I felt some uneasiness in one of my teeth. I kind of shrugged it off, assuming it to be something stuck like a food particle, thinking it would go away on its own. But even after brushing, that stayed there. Even then, I didnot take it seriously as it could be just my imagination and i gave time to set it right. Little did i know, it was a tooth decay in making and it needed medical attention.

A few days letter, the tension increased, and now it got my full attention. I took a closer look using torch, and located the culprit. An innocuous looking small black spot, quietly sitting there, as if it is his birthright. My first reaction, was to scrap it away. I was partially successful and now a small remnant is still there. I got exhausted with that exercise, but atleast felt a bit victorious. I let the matter out of my mind for that day, as it was too small a figure to do any damage to me, or to the other teeth. I also noticed that another teeth was quiet close to it, hence the risk of the decay spreading to that tooth was real. For a moment, a philosophical thought came to me. Isn't this how friends are. Glued to one another, and if either of them get any black thoughts, the other one comes to rescue, without any conditions. Even there is a risk of the other friend also getting black due to proximity. But true friends dont think, they just feel each other or love each other. They dont escape, they stay put and try to repair the other person, And this psychological thought led me to now extract the damaged tooth, but rather start repairing the damaged tooth. I took a slew of measures - started brushing diligently, maintained oral hygiene, avoided sugary drinks, sugary items. It seemed to work and the black spot didnt grow further in size. I seemed happy and satisfied at my efforts. I didn't lose the tooth. I loved all my teeth, but this tooth was my favourite. In addition, i requested the neighbour tooth (friend tooth), to take care of this damaged tooth, and ensure that it stays away from the vices that can potentially cause more damage. Over a period of time, my I am surprised at how caring this friend tooth was. It did everything possible to ensure that the food particles didnt get stuck in that black absyss. It itself came to the front, tore all the food thrown at it. I even started my sugar intake, trusting that the friend tooth will ensure no harm. And the friend tooth did not betray me. It did it job so well, that it put all other teeth to shame. Undoubtedly, this two teeth looked like a great bond, that was going to last forever. There were often some minor tussles between the teeth, but the friend tooth managed even that pretty well. It looked surreal, but it was pure joy and bliss.

It went on for a few weeks. But good things do becomes not so good. And i again felt the same pain. Immediately, i rushed to the mirror to take a closer look. I noticed nothing. tried to look towards the inside edge but didnt get a good view. The tooth was blocking the view and it was beyond my ability to further look inside. This meant, i needed some expert - a dentist.

While, I was looking for a dentist, I couldnt stop my mind racing. All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind. Why me? I had been so careful this time, took extreme care, how can it happen again. Or may be it was always there, and i only noticed the superficial one. Maybe the tooth blocked my access to the inner area and pretended all was fine and gave me the impression that the tooth was taking good care. But now the pain was real that cant be ignored or scrapped away or home treated.

My dentist confirmed my worst fears, the tooth was decaying from the inner age, quietly hiding from normal gaze and beyond repair. If we dont take action, the decay will spread to other areas like the brain, or the mind or even the heart. It is serious!

I came back, and gathered myself. It was time for introspection. The solution was easy - root canal treatment, painful in the short term, but healthy. How can you get rid of something that you have loved over the years, especially if it is your own body part? The thought shuddered me. I looked up everywhere - "How to remove decay without surgery", "Suffering from decay, try alternate remedy!", etc. But my intelligent mind knew that these are just scams. And I need to do the inevitable.

After all, isn't it also the tooth's responsibility to take care of itself. Why didn't the damaged tooth, tell this to the friend tooth when he was standing right next to her, willing to do all it takes to restore the damage. Didn't the tooth believe in his ability to cure it, when he had done this on numerous ocassions. Atleast, the tooth could have shared this with him, reciprocating the friendship. After all, all a friend needs is reciproacity. A simple gesture that yes I remember you, both when i am sad, and when I am in my best. Great friends live the happiness together, just like how they share their pain together. Sadly, this didnt happen here and my mind noticed this.

And the decision to get the tooth extracted was filled with heavy heart. Words did not come out of my mouth, my heart weeped, sometimes literally. Sometimes, we have to let that dear ones go, if the turn a bit rogue, esp if it doesnt give peace of mind. If not me, atleast the friend tooth is suffering. I am aware that without the damaged tooth, the friend tooth will be alone with no support and it might be difficult. But i assured him, that no support is still lot lot better than having a false sense of support. The support on which the friend tooth was clinging was becoming hollow from within and it would not be there, when you need her the most. And the greatest damage may come to you and then spread elsewhere. With that assurance, the tooth seemed to have understood.

I left the situation for a few more days for the friend tooth to come to terms with the new situation. I noticed some times watery discharges and I knew that it was crying sliently but it will stabilize and healt itself. After all, it is my tooth.

Good riddance!