Whatever happened to "rinse & spit"?

[kamilla626]

I just got back from my first dentist appointment in about 10 years (besides a "new patient consult" 2 days ago). I have no real excuse for why it had been so long, but I finally dragged myself in and just had 2 fillings done, plus a cleaning, all at once.

It wasn't fun, needless to say. But one thing that made it difficult was that the dentist didn't have one of those toilet-looking rinse & spit basins.

Every time I'd ever been to the dentist for a cleaning or a filling, they allowed you to sit up periodically to rinse & spit. Excess saliva, tooth bits being drilled away, toothpaste, scraped off tarter, etc. collects in your mouth while you're having stuff done.

But this dentist didn't have that! When he was completely done, he gave me a small cup of warm water, so I did the rinse and spit thing right back in the cup, but it wasn't enough. His assistant used a water squirter, along with a little vacuum, but my whole mouth still just felt like an overflowing polluted lake.

Have most dental offices just eliminated those "toilets"? Or is this unusual?

[tayndrewsmama]

I am starting to think so. I was recently in after quite a few years as well, and the dentist I saw doesn't have one either. Both kids went into the Ped. Dentist this week too and they don't have any either.

[momto l&a]

Never have seen a rinse and spit basin at a dentist office.

I have always had the honor of having a nasty mouth till I could get home and do a proper cleaning of it with a brush :Puke

[Ruthla]

Every dentist I've been to has had one of those "mini toilets" to spit into.

[ZeldasMom]

My dentist in Raleigh, NC had a sink for spitting. Haven't found a dentist I like here. The place I go now is very assembly-line and they use a sprayer and a vacuum hose.

[shelbean91]

I haven't seen a rinse and spit in a LONG time. THose vacuums are ok, but I have a hard time with them- feel like they're sucking my nose out through my throat or something.

[JBaxter]

I'll give a hygienist view -- they are gross. You are "supposed" to clean them after each patient ( I did but some staff members didnt) Patients spit saliva/blood into them then the next patient comes in and does the same thing ( did you ever spit hard and had "splash" in your face?) Most of the newer dental units dont have them.

[Sierra]

For me, one of the worst parts about a trip to the dentist these days is the vacuum. When it is used, part of my mouth always ends up uncomfortably dry while another part will just be a lake. And I can't stand that dry mouth feeling. Ugh. Oh well. I guess that's just one more reason to look forward to my dental appointments .