The Peril momentarily alarms a dentist's assistant

Was watching the U.S. team in the World Cup from a dentist's chair this morning while the assistant did her cleaning/polishing schtick. The following dialogue ensued:

PERIL: [lets out a yelp of agony]

ASSISTANT: [yanks the tools out of the Peril's mouth in alarm] Oh, my goodness, Mr. Pierce, I didn't mean to hurt you.

PERIL: Oh, no, YOU didn't do anything...how could we POSSIBLY miss that shot, from that distance, with the goalie not even in the PLAY?????