The lights were bright! I sat mortified fearing the worst. I saw his masked face with an apologetic glint in his eyes as he came at me with a knife and a drill! I felt panicky and numb as the injections had begun taking effect. The lights were blinding me. His voice asked me to relax. How could I? Over his shoulder, I saw my husband peeking, his face breaking into a comforting smile. With a sigh, I settled back and closed my eyes while he got to work. Yes, my dentist began a long process of wisdom tooth removal. Since mine hadn’t completely erupted and was in a supine posture, the surgery was going to involve cutting the bone to extract the tooth. Add to it, I had to get a root canal treatment done for the adjacent tooth which had begun rotting! Oh the misery!
What is it about the dentist that scares the hell out of us and reduces even the bravest of folks to trembling teens. Is it because they come at you with sickening WMDs that they intend to shove into your mouth? Or because these scary weapons are put in your mouth and you hear every terrible grating sound in its glory or because you can taste your own blood? In your mind you know that beyond the anesthesia lies pain and days of cold, insipid food. You await that with apprehension.
The doc seems so relaxed! When he says, it is not going to hurt, he clearly has no effing idea. Sometimes I wish that it be made mandatory for all dentists to first get their wisdom teeth removed. At least their empathy will then seem genuine :)! When you walk out, it all seems fine. Okay that wasn’t so bad, and it ain’t paining either. But the pain hits you a couple of hours later when the anesthesia has worn off despite medication. The swelling is intense even with cold packs. And it gives a grotesque look to the face as if a couple of paans have been stuffed in permanently to one side. You have to explain to everyone that you have not been hit on the cheek. And the talking less bit thrills the hubby to bits :). Yes thankfully, it does get better as you get back to chewing normally and eating decent food.
In the bargain, I am now much more conscious of my oral hygiene but that was never the cause of wisdom tooth removal anyway. I have been advised to get the other wisdom tooth that is supine removed as well before it starts rotting its adjacent tooth. To tell you frankly, I am trying to summon my nerves to go through another nightmare like the previous one! Sigh! It is a decision I’ve to take sooner than later! For all those who have to go to a dentist, my empathy and sincere wishes. For my dentist friends, nothing personal in the dislike of your kin :). And despite all my wisdom almost taken out, it still makes sense to go and get that dental problem resolved. It won’t get better on its own, trust me!
Rachna says 
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