Lax in wisdom and the loss of wisdom tooth

At home, in our younger days, we used our bare index finger and the medium of  Black Rice Husk Ash (BRHA - Umikkari), at  ground fine and mixed with salt, and usually stored in a tin or a coconut shell. It was believed to be effective in keeping our mouth and teeth in tact. I had observed that some of my classmates would present their gum-teeth junction with some strands of umikkari embedded there. I used to have very white teeth in those days! Gradually, it was thought to be more fashionable to have a brush, and use paste (typically, Colgate or Binaca - with the added attraction of  Binaca Toys. Though we didn't use Binaca generally, somehow by high school days, I had a good collection of them, nearing about 75) for that.  When I was introduced to the tooth brush, my eldest sister gave a piece of advice to the effect that it was not necessary to use some paste all the time you brushed - I am sure, this was more from the angle of economy than health, though, it might have been true from a health angle as well. When I joined the seminary, my teeth were intact. 

Then, joining the  seminary, we were introduced to the practice of using a fork and spoon, and not having to wash the hands, or having to wash dishes where washing the mouth was not permitted, I got into the habit of not rinsing or washing the mouth after each meal, though the practice of brushing the teeth before going to bed was developed. After 3 years of such practice, and reaching back to Keralam, I spotted that my teeth were having cavities. And in the company of the venerable Fr. Methodius, I went to the SD clinic at Chunangumvely, where the sister dentist, found my teeth healthy but requiring the filling of some 6 cavities.  There was a lull in dental concerns and I hardly paid any attention to oral hygiene as such, till after completing my studies, and getting appointed as a teaching faculty at Rajagiri. 

My boss at Rajagiri had an appointment with Dr Gene, a dentist familiar to him - who happens to be the niece of our senior confrere Rev. Dr Aggaeus CMI.  I accompanied him, and got my teeth checked, and found there were cavities to be filled a tooth or two requiring root canal treatment.  I got them done, and felt impressed, and thereafter continued the practice of an annual check up to ensure things were in order. 

With the environment and social concerns influencing me, I had shifted to using Indian brands, and Dabur dant manjan was my tooth-cleaning agent. Dr Gene was very appreciative of my dental health, and thought it was on account of the not-so-popular tooth powder with the dentists. Post retirement, I had an all India ride, then a short stint of volunteering in NE Social Service Society, and then I was off to Doha, Qatar, almost 3 years gone without much of the annual check up or stuff like that. And I woke up to the reality of my age and dental degradation, only in July 2023, when for the first time in my life, a tooth ache deprived me of my night's rest.  Early morning, I visited the rather well-established mission hospital in the neighbourhood, only to be comforted by the young visiting doctor (with a PG degree) that my teeth were all intact, and only plaque accumulation had to be taken care of, by using some special tooth paste, and a mouth wash.  He would clean my teeth to remove the plaque - comforted I return happily (of course, paying Rs. 2500 for the day's encounter). However, the teeth were giving me trouble, hence, I decided to consult Dr Gene when I arrived for a brief visit for an official meeting. I snatched an hour from the hectic meeting schedule and managed to meet the husband and wife doctor team, and Dr Gene was aghast after examining, exclaiming 'There is a huge hole in the teeth and nothing but extraction was the solution and that would require more time'.  She suggested the solutions:  (1) Keep the cavity (the cave!) clean of food particles by vigorous rinsing,  (2) if warranted, keep some cotton to keep the cavity filled so that food will not get settled there, and (3) as soon as possible, try to get proper treatment - read, extraction. 

While casting no aspersions on any particular group, and while avowedly going with the need for a reservation policy, the experience is a pointer to the threat that is evidently there in reservation policies that tend to set aside merit; while the reservation policy is fine and justifiable, lowering merit on that count can be detrimental to the society, it can cost life! 

Bravo me! For 3 months, I survived with that precarious condition, and didn't ever lose sleep again.  Managed to keep the cavity clear of food particles. But I too sensed that the cavity was now a gaping hole - and at times, I attempted the 'cotton method' and found it effective.  Dr Babu boosts my morale commending the high threshold of pain tolerance I seem to have - perhaps, it is true.  (Indeed, I seem to have a great capacity to endure pain. A few years ago, when I arrived at the hospital suspecting appendicitis, the doctor was really wonderstruck as to how I endured the pain.  I was immediately taken to the operation theatre for the removal of the same, which was already in an advanced state of infection. Perhaps, an item worth adding to the virtues that one ought to derive from sannyasa - I can meditate, I can wait, I can fast, I can endure pain... Herman Hesse: Siddhartha)

I planned my trip to South from UP sandwiching the treatment between two commitments to environment-related conferences, and reached well in time for the pre-fixed appointment. But the doctor duo got an unexpected engagement and could not make it on Saturday as planned.  Now that the need was mine - I couldn't afford to neglect it,  I persevered, and Dr. Gene prescribed a set of antibiotics to be started prior to the procedure.  Tab Augmentin 625 gm and the antigastric Pantop 40 mg, morning and evening after meals, and Tab Meftal forte to be added after the procedure. I willingly submitted my organic body to the chemical regime. 

I arrived at sharp 3.59.  It was an exclusive appointment for me, cancelling their Sunday outing time.  Before 4.10 a swab was introduced into the affected area, and I sensed gradual numbness.  That was the preparation for the next dose, which was injected, and the pain was tolerable. Another 10 minutes and a third dose of real anaesthetic was injected to make the area ready for the bloody procedure. The doctor explained to me the situation and the procedure in detail. To my great consolation I am given a good news: contrary to my impression,  it's (just) one tooth and not two that was affected.  That is the first molar tooth or wisdom tooth, which is said to grow usually only around the age of 20.  it is a broader one appearing as if it were two teeth, and with its curved centre can get easily affected, unless we take precautions. The tooth was just a shell, and could not hold anything anymore.  Nor can it be pulled out in the usual mode, as it would crumble.  Hence the the structure had to be cut into manageable size, creating a dent in the bone where it is firmly rooted, and then shaken out of its base. 

I had a series of initial pictures taken with the doctor helping.   It appeared horrible, as if it were a cancer. The rasa would be predominantly repugnant (veebhatsa). The doctors now got into action. No longer their typical smooth and polished selves, but like skilled workers taking on the task with all required toughness, at the same time, assuring: Father feel free, if you feel any problem. We are equipped to do with any sort of eventuality. That is indeed a professional expertise and confidence. 

Dr Gene got on to chipping off, with Dr Babu assisting by clearing the 'debris' and mud away.  I can sense the taste and smell of some calcium rock falling apart.  They drill, axe, chip, grind, pound, press, pull ... the pressure is felt, but not the pain. 3.31 to 3.59, they, relishing their professionalism being put to use; I, suffering from keeping my mouth wide open with the aid of a rubber stopper packed between my right jaws.  I ask for a break in between just to relax my jaws. Finally, the harmless appendage of the set of teeth is pulled out, in two sturdy pieces - the gulf between them not bridgeable by any of the usual modes. The entire process gets over much earlier than I had expected.

The doctor reassures me that I could still eat using my left teeth, which I had been using in a very restricted way in the last three months. An additional tablet is prescribed, besides giving me a dose of sweet painkiller (Tab Ketoral) from the stock of samples they are having.  The new one is tab Lysenforte to be taken for 3 days.  The cut, almost 1 inch deep according to the doctor, is sutured, still pain unknown. 

The doctors warn me regarding the precautions to be taken - no hard rinsing of the mouth, nor brushing for the night. No spitting, just follow whatever accumulates in the mouth. Have some smooth food - but definitely solid, so as to combat the impact of the antibiotics on the stomach lining! Ice cream - highly recommended. (This is something like the old adage: milk - what the patient desired and the doctor prescribed! rogi ichchichatum, vaidyan kalpichatum paal.  In my younger days, this would have been a real treat for me - though still not averse to icecream, I am no longer craving for it).  I decide not to tax anyone, rather, get a pack of ice cream as my food for the night. Gradual stretching of the mouth starting with a gap of two fingers and then three;  up to five times in one stretch, with due intervals, will serve as physiotherapy to get the jaws come back to normal functioning overcoming the effects of the anaesthetics. 

I congratulate the doctor team for the hard, skilled, laborious, professional work, and Dr. Gene, enthused about her work, confidently claims that this is her expert area, and she is thrilled to exercise her expertise in the field when warranted. 

Having been away all these days, I still didn't have any Indian rupee with me.  The little I had got exhausted en route to Bangalore.  My card disowns me - it does not agree with the PIN I punch. Fortunately, there is Google Pay, and I could make the payment of the very considerate charges the doctors charged.  But the doctors are confident, even otherwise, they would be paid.  May they be blessed! All appreciation to Koithara Dental Clinic - it is local, it is a family venture from my locality, and it is professional. 

Now it's almost 8 hours! Thank God, it is still bearable, and I have not taken recourse to another painkiller pill! Jaws, so far, are flexible! 

At the end of the day, I marvel at the creation - where everything was found good (Gen 1:31), the kind of packing and fixing of human body. The solid foundation with which the teeth are laid!  There is also a message strong and clear: laxity in protecting your limbs costs you the limb itself! You are not only the steward of the whole earth (Gen. 1:26), but of the microcosm that your body is! And I feel lessons in oral hygiene have to be systematically introduced to the children during the school days.

(Umikkari pic - courtesy: https://www.paticheri.com/2021/02/06/umikari-or-burnt-rice-husk-tooth-powder/) 

Tailpiece: Nov. 27. Malayala Manorama features the news item on the dental association conference where Dr Iyer spoke about the loss of teeth and impact on heart health. 

Nov. 29. Get the stitches removed and the doctor, on examining, discovers two more teeth affected.  One has a cavity, and it is refilled.  The material used is called 'composite' which doesn't show forth as distinct, and it is one step in the advancement of dental science, and the old two-step processes are done away with.  It is cleaning and direct filling, once and for all. 

The other tooth getting affected also requires attention, but can wait. Dr Gene advises that flossing be deployed on a regular basis as a preventive.  

Now with the loss, I am determined to pay greater attention to my oral health! I thank God for this great gift of life - body - organs, specifically my teeth!