Pat,

Maybe next time you or Vernon have to go through this, pick cinnamon.  When 
I've gone to the dentist, I've had flavors of polish that didn't taste 
pleasant.  then one time I asked, or wished, to the hygienist if they had 
other flavors.  They do have cinnamon.  Of course you don't want to swallow 
that stuff, but it doesn't taste bad in your mouth.