Toof

I had a tooth removed recently. Contrary to received wisdom*, the whole procedure was completely painless and largely unremarkable.

Things of note:
1) When your dentist goes "Hmmm." during a procedure, and invites one of his colleagues to join the ongoing mouth-party, this is not, I am told, cause for alarm. Contrary to the prevailing advice, I chose to become entirely (albeit very quietly) alarmed.
2) Your Dental Specialist may hide the various implements of healing behind his or her back until just before they are to be used. These implements may or may not include:
Large syringes
Well-worn pliars
Blood-filled suction tubes
I'm not entirely certain that this behaviour is normal, however. The furtive yet swift nature in which my dentists work leads me to believe that I've stumbled on a clique of ninja health professionals. I'm expecting a re-enactment of the Shimabara rebellion at the next check-up.
3) Rinsing the resulting casm in your jaw with salt-water according to instruction is entirely ineffective; expect to poke about in there with a toothpick to retrieve horrifying globs of matter, lest your breath become the subject of future Germanic fairy tales.

That's my experience anyway. Your milage may, as ever, vary.

While we're on the subject, check this out. Awesome.

* - Yeah, I'm fucking hilarious.