What do you do next when you’re done brushing your teeth? Do you usually rinse your mouth? I used to do that all the time. I even went over my teeth with a wet toothbrush to remove any toothpaste residue. I learned from a dentist’s TikTok that rinsing off excess toothpaste isn’t the most effective way to keep my teeth in tip-top shape.
Now I spit out as much toothpaste as I can without rinsing it so it can work longer. I wasn’t sure why I was doing this or what the benefits were until I spoke with Dr. Edmond Hewlett, consumer advisor to the American Dental Association and professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, to find out why you shouldn’t rinse your mouth with water after brushing.
Why you should not rinse with water after brushing your teeth
Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste that makes tooth enamel harder and more resistant to acids that cause tooth decay. According to Hewlett, it is the most proven effective ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.
When you brush your teeth, you remove all residue and bacteria from food and sugary drinks. If you go a step further and skip rinsing, the fluoride from the toothpaste will stay in your mouth longer and you will benefit from a better fluoride effect.
After brushing, wait at least 15 minutes before drinking water. After brushing, Hewlett explains, the toothpaste is washed out by saliva, so you don’t taste it all day.
What if you always rinsed after brushing your teeth?
If you’re just learning this tip, you might think you’ve undone all the hard work of brushing your teeth every day. That’s not true. Hewlett says as long as you brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the fluoride will stay in your mouth and help protect your teeth.
You’re still doing what you need to do to have good oral health and protect your teeth. Not rinsing is just an extra step that helps the fluoride be even more effective.
“If you measure the fluoride level in a person’s saliva, there is more fluoride when they don’t rinse,” Hewlett said. However, it’s not a waste of time if you rinse. He said research is still being done to determine what difference it makes in the long run in preventing tooth decay.
Your own dental health also plays a role
According to Hewlett, everyone’s risk for tooth decay varies. “If you don’t normally get cavities, you should continue using fluoridated toothpaste. Deciding whether or not to rinse after brushing probably won’t make a difference.”
For those who suffer from cavities, however, not rinsing is probably the better option. In addition, you should seek help from your dentist to find out why you are getting cavities regularly. For example, it could be due to your eating habits, eating sweets, or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you are at higher risk of cavities, you should do everything you can to prevent them.
Can you use mouthwash after brushing your teeth?
Most mouthwashes contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing with mouthwash immediately after brushing may wash the concentrated fluoride away from your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at another time, such as after lunch or coffee.
More tips for brushing your teeth
Here are some additional tips to keep your oral health on top of things.
- Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush, never one with medium or hard bristles. Hewlett said anything that isn’t soft can increase the risk of receding gums.
- It doesn’t matter if you floss before or after brushing, as long as you floss once a day to remove plaque and stuck-on food particles.
- You don’t have to brush your teeth aggressively to get them clean. Scrubbing your dishes with extra force may get them extra clean, but it’s unnecessary for your teeth and can lead to receding gums.
- To prevent gum disease, brush gently along the gum line with a soft brush.
- Always consult your dentist for personal advice. He knows what your oral health profile looks like.
