Everyone (I hope) visits the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.  It is pretty much the same scenario every time.  You go in, the hygienist sticks the saliva ejector into your mouth and goes to town scraping and spraying and asking you questions you are incapable of answering.

As she works your mouth fills uncomfortably with saliva, until she finally backs out and tells you to close your mouth around the saliva ejector (also known as Mr. Thirsty) for relief.  Like magic all the liquid disappears from your mouth.  Then she goes back in for more scraping and poking.

What is wrong with this picture?

Recently updated CDC guidelines recommend that patients should never be told to close their lips around the saliva ejector or (and this is even worse) be told to suck on it like a straw.  If your hygienist ever tells you to do this, say, “NO!” and then tell her what I am about to tell you.

All of the ejectors are connected to the same waterline system.  Closing your mouth around the saliva ejector creates an environment of low pressure inside your mouth that could lead to back wash.  From someone else’s mouth in the next room.  And that person might have cooties.

Remember this is a recent update, and your hygienist may have gone to school twenty years ago.  But times change and Mr. Thirsty is not always your friend.  Be polite but firm and exercise your rights as a patient to refuse any procedure.  Although there are no documented cases of illness or disease transmission in this manner, it is always better to be safe than sorry when cooties are concerned.