Pain, Blood and Holes

Never have I thought this day would come - especially at this age. The appointment was at 3:45. The clinic is situated at a well-known "high-class" medical centre. The building's exterior is white and has a clean, disinfected feel. The clinic, albeit "atas-ish", is owned by a doctor who is loud, outspoken and oblivious to his not-so-good sense of humour.

Stress and anxiety were written all over my face as the nurse and doctors attended to me. But very determined was I, to get it over and done with; and never to return to the clinic. Local anesthetic numbed the designated areas - I couldn't feel a thing and had a hard time keeping my saliva in. 10 minutes after the effects had set in, the doctor began working on me with his tools. The nurse handed him tool after tool at his command; while he twigged, twisted and pulled out the 3 marked teeth. Throughout the entire process, there was no pain. You could only feel the pressure on your gums; hear the sound of the steel gear against your teeth and occasionally the sound of your tooth cracking (almost) under the pressure of his tong-like equipment.

30 to 40 minutes later, it was all done. I was left with numbed gums, bloody mouth, dripping saliva, an unsightly smile with holes here and there, and an inability to enunciate properly. So, straight into the cab I went; and home I headed. Good thing I could still eat. Not such a spoilsport after all.