Rinsing after brushing; what's the deal?
A common habit associated with daily brushing is rinsing your mouth with water as soon as you’ve finished the task. Brushing your teeth usually involves, applying toothpaste, brushing for 2 or more minutes and then using water to help remove the excess toothpaste in your mouth.
It seems to make the most sense logically, as you don’t want to spend the day with the taste of toothpaste in your mouth, or even tooth paste around your lips.
However, this is actually a common mistake which could have a negative effect on your dental hygiene.
There has been some evidence to suggest that rinsing your teeth with water washes away the concentrated fluoride which is present in toothpaste. Rinsing the fluoride with water can dilute and reduce its cleaning effect. Fluoride strengthens the enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth. in your teeth and also helps make the tooth more resistant to decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure.. Consequently, any technique that removes this should be avoided. Moreover, whilst mouthwash can have a positive effect when used in isolation, you should refrain from using it having just brushed your teeth, as yet again, it can contribute to the removal of fluoride.
If you still have questions, make sure you contact your dentist or ask them at your next appointment. They’ll be able to give you tips on how to brush effectively and see the best results. They may also recommend the best toothpaste to ensure your teeth and the enamel remains strong and decay free.
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