Imagine this. You’re happily eating your favourite ice cream when suddenly you feel a sharp, stinging pain in your tooth. You rush to the dentist, and he/she tells you those three words that make you panic: “Root Canal Treatment.” If that makes your heart skip a beat, don’t panic; you’re not alone. Many people are intimidated by the word “root canal,” and most don’t even know what it really is.
In an exclusive interview with News24 , Dr Nishtha Glodha, consultant orthodontist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, shared insights on how we can better care for our teeth. Dr Nishtha talked on various issues like RCT (root canal treatment), the problem of bad breath, and more.
Dr. Nishtha shared the solution for bad breath. She mentioned, “Cavities and swollen gums can be the reason for bad breath. For cavities and swollen gums, one has to visit the dentist. Moreover, one can use a non-alcoholic mouthwash to avoid bad breath. A person should also use a tongue scraper to clean their tongue. One should eat things that don’t leave their mouth dry.”
More Excerpts From The Interview
Question: What Symptoms Indicate the Need for RCT (Root Canal Treatment)?
Answer: The major symptom is pain. Your pulp tissues are involved, and it’s basically a nerve, so you’ll feel pain. Then comes sensitivity, particularly due to cold. Third is pain while chewing. Lastly, there’s any kind of pus discharge, which creates an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you’re experiencing pain, you need to visit the dentist. Normally, there’s some sensitivity, but if sensitivity occurs with heat as well, then it’s a matter of concern.
Question: When Is Tooth Extraction Absolutely Necessary?
Answer: If the tooth has severe decay with no remaining crown, leaving only the roots. If there is any wisdom tooth that is impacted and not in a favourable condition, then we are going to extract it. For orthodontic purposes, we extract teeth. If they are crowning, then we extract and align them. Lastly, if the RCT is not successful, then we extract the teeth.
Question: What Types of Anaesthesia Are Given for Extraction?
Answer: Different kinds of anaesthesias are available these days. Generally, we use lignocaine, but nowadays, we use Articaine anaesthesia.
Question: What Are the Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions?
Answer: If we are not able to save the tooth through the root canal, then we extract it. Moreover, if the tooth is beyond saving, we’ll extract it. We can’t allow infection to persist.
Question: Is It Possible That RCT Could Be Replaced in the Future Due to Its Pain and High Cost?
Answer: There are several technologies on which scientists are working right now. Many of them are working on regenerative endodontics. Under this, we try to make a pulp and dentin complex. Under this, we are not making a pulp, but we try to regrow. We do RCT when there is infection in the pulp. Yes, scientists are working on that, but right now such technologies are in a very early stage.
Question: What Inspired You to Become an Orthodontist?
Answer: I come from a medical family, but my parents are not dentists. Initially, I pursued deontology, but my mother wasn’t supportive. Many encouraged me to try medicine, and eventually, I ended up in dentistry. During my studies, they don’t teach much about braces. This specialization seems quite distinct. The field of dentistry is highly competitive in India, but if you excel and are skilled, the sky is the limit.
Question: What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Work?
Answer: When a patient tells me that the pain is gone, it brings me immense satisfaction. Providing relief from pain and seeing the positive impact on their lives is truly fulfilling. I’m grateful for choosing this profession, which allows me to make a difference in people’s lives.
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