A healthy mouth starts with good daily habits, and brushing your teeth is high on that list. But when rinsing your mouth after cleaning While it may seem natural, you'd be surprised how many people don't know that skipping this step may actually be better for your teeth. A quick look around Reddit shows how often you rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. It may seem strange at first, but leaving a little toothpaste on can help strengthen your enamel and protect your teeth and smile over time.
If that's not enough, ongoing inflation and rising prices for everything, including dental care, may give you extra motivation. In fact, recent CNET poll found that more than 93% of Americans are concerned about rising inflation and the cost of living.
Edmond Hewlettconsumer consultant for the American Dental Association and professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, explains that allowing fluoride to remain on teeth longer helps them be better protected against tooth decay and gum disease.
So, next time you brush your teeth, delay the final rinse. Leave the toothpaste on for a few moments. This small change can make a big difference to your dental health, and your teeth and wallet will thank you for it.
Why you shouldn't rinse with water after brushing your teeth
Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste that helps make tooth enamel harder and more resistant to acids that cause tooth decay. Hewlett says it's the most well-known and effective ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.
By brushing your teeth, you remove plaque and bacteria from food and sugary drinks. If you go a step further and skip the rinse, you will leave the fluoride from the toothpaste in your mouth for a longer period of time, providing better benefits from the fluoride.
Wait at least 15 minutes after brushing your teeth to drink water. After brushing your teeth, Hewlett explains, your saliva will cleanse the toothpaste so you won't taste it all day.
What if you always rinse your teeth after brushing your teeth?
If you're just learning this tip, you might think you've wasted all your hard work brushing your teeth every day. This is not true. Hewlett says if you brush as standard twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the fluoride will stay in your mouth, helping to protect your teeth.
You still do what you need to do to have good oral health and protect your teeth. Avoiding rinsing is just an extra step that will help the fluoride become even more effective.
“When you measure fluoride levels in a person's saliva, if they don't rinse their mouth, there's more fluoride in there,” Hewlett said. However, rinsing will not be a waste of time. He said research is still being done to determine how it will affect tooth decay prevention in the long term.
Are there risks if you don't rinse your teeth after brushing?
According to Dr. Marcus Brian Ward, dentist and founder Dental clinic “Eastern Pines” in Greenville, North Carolina, there are no common side effects associated with not rinsing after brushing.
“Over-the-counter toothpastes contain about 1,000 parts per million of concentrated fluoride—not enough to harm adults,” he explains. He recommends avoiding off-label use of fluoride because atypical side effects may occur in such circumstances. Some side effects may include: fluorosis, gastrointestinal problems, and neurological symptoms.
Dr. Naomi Goldman, restorative and cosmetic dentist Levi Goldman Dentistryrecommends monitoring how much toothpaste you use when brushing your teeth and limiting your use to three times a day. “When brushing your teeth, apply only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to your brush.” The same applies to children and toddlers, but Goldman advises using only a grain of rice-sized amount of toothpaste.
Dental health also plays a role
According to Hewlett, there are different levels of risk for tooth decay for each person. “If you don't usually get cavities, you should continue to use fluoride toothpaste. The decision to rinse or not to rinse after brushing your teeth probably won't make a difference.”
On the other hand, for those struggling with tooth decay, it may be best not to rinse. Additionally, you should seek help from your dentist to find out why you regularly experience cavities. For example, this could be your eating habits, snacking on sugary foods, or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you are at higher risk of developing tooth decay, you should do everything you can to prevent it.
Should you use mouthwash after brushing your teeth?
Most mouth rinses contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing your mouth with mouthwash Immediately after brushing your teeth, you can rinse the concentrated fluoride off your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at other times, such as after lunch or coffee.
Additional Tips for Improving Teeth Brushing
Here are some additional tips for maintaining good oral health.
- Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles rather than medium or hard bristles. Hewlett said anything other than mild can increase the risk of gum recession.
- It doesn't matter whether you floss before or after brushing your teeth, as long as you floss once a day to remove plaque and stuck food.
- You don't have to aggressively brush your teeth to get them clean. Scrubbing your dishes with more force can make them cleaner, but it's not good for your teeth and can cause your gums to recede.
- Gently brush your gum line with a soft-bristled brush to prevent gum disease.
- Always consult your dentist for personalized advice. They understand what your oral health profile looks like.
Frequently asked questions about dentistry
How long should you wait before rinsing after brushing your teeth?
Goldman recommends waiting 30 minutes after brushing your teeth to allow the fluoride in your toothpaste to have its full preventive effect on your teeth. Ward adds that your saliva will remove most of the product within a few minutes of brushing your teeth.
Do dentists recommend rinsing after brushing?
Dentists have differing opinions about rinsing after brushing. Ward says most dentists are just happy if most people are willing to brush their teeth. “If you have good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing is more important than whether or not you rinse after brushing,” he says.
On the other hand, if you have severe tooth decay, Ward recommends waiting at least 10 minutes before rinsing. In any case, consult your dentist first to find out what hygiene protocol suits your situation and needs.
Should you leave toothpaste on your teeth overnight?
There is no need to leave toothpaste on your teeth overnight. Goldman advises spitting out excess toothpaste after you brush your teeth before bed. Ward says, “Although the toothpaste rinses off without rinsing and is likely not harmful, there is no benefit to using it beyond its intended and recommended purpose.”
Is it good to rub your teeth with toothpaste?
Although rubbing your teeth with toothpaste can give them an extra boost of fluoride throughout the day, it is not necessary. To keep your teeth healthy, simply brush your teeth twice with fluoride-rich toothpaste and do not rinse your teeth immediately afterward.
