I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist today, and there was something wrong with the water?

Question

So, the dental hygienist went to spray some water in my mouth with the little hose so I could rinse out my mouth.  The water was NOT water; it was the most bitter-tasting, awful thing I had ever tasted in my life, and it was slightly effervescent.  I asked her what she had just put in my mouth, and she said "it's just water." I insisted that it wasn't, and that it was very gross, so she changed out the water tank and then it tasted normal.

So what was in that "water" that she gave me? Could some chemical have gotten into it? Have I been poisoned?  It was seriously the worst thing I have ever tasted.

grandpa walleye · Accepted Answer

My guess is when the water lines were last disinfected , they were not thoroughly flushed out with enough water.  So what you were tasting was some of the disinfection solution.  That small amount will cause no harm to your health and just was unpleasant tasting  even though it was much diluted.  There would be no other chemicals placed into the water container.

Tarnished Angel · Answer

I am an assistant in an office and at the end of the day or at least once a week, we run a chemical through the water lines to keep them clean. If you don't flush the water through long enough, some of the soultion could still remain in the line. 
I'm sure the dentist would be displeased with his staff if he found out about their mistake because it makes him look bad. I would write a personal letter or something. I know in our office we have apologized for lesser mistakes to ensure our patients are happy. For example, a patient has had to wait for the dr too long, we give them a restaurant gift certificate or some movie tickets. 

Hope this answer helped.

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I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist today, and there was something wrong with the water?

2 Answers