Tongue piercing is associated with lingual recession of mandibular anterior teeth and chipping of posterior teeth. Long-term use of a tongue barbell increases the prevalence of these complications. Barbell stem length appears to differentially affect prevalence of recession and chipping. Since the overwhelming majority of subjects with tongue piercings are young adults, cessation efforts are needed to target this population.

Background The maximum recommended level of microbial contamination of water from dental unit waterlines (DUWL) is 200 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). This article addresses the importance of water selection in achieving that standard. Methods Microbial contamination in water samples from 75 new dental units, with a closedcircuit water system, were compared using combinations of tap water and sterile distilled water with and without two chemical disinfectants (bleach and 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, Bio2000) over a six-week period. Baseline tap water samples were collected and tested initially. Results The microbial plate counts of seven tap water specimens (controls) ranged from 4 to 95 CFU/mL. These results were well below both the 500 CFU/mL standard for public drinking water and the 200 CFU/mL goal for dental treatment water. However, when passed through dental units, no significant bacterial reduction was achieved for samples of tap water (Group 1), tap water treated with bleach (Group 2), or tap water treated with Bio2000 (Group 4). Only water samples from dental units using Bio2000 alone (Group 3) or a combination of sterile, distilled water with Bio2000 (Group 5) met or exceeded the 200 CFU/mL standard. Conclusions Using tap water alone or tap water with bleach did not improve water quality. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) standard for reduced microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines was met using Bio2000 and distilled water treated with Bio2000. Clinical Significance The ADA standard of 200 CFU/mL was achieved using a closed water system and distilled water treated with Bio2000. Using 100% Bio2000 is also effective, but more costly. Citation Kettering JD, Stephens JD, Muñoz-Viveros CA, et. al. Reducing Bacterial Counts in Dental Unit Waterlines: Tap Water versus Distilled Water. J Contemp Dent Pract 2002 August;(3)3: 001-009.

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If tongue cleaning is to be recommended, the results of this study in dental students indicate that tongue cleaning should be performed on a daily basis.

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