According to experts, it’s not a good idea to rinse your mouth after brushing. Sounds a bit strange? Read this article to understand why you should avoid this step in your daily hygiene routine.
Why Shouldn’t You Rinse Your Mouth After Brushing?
According to the United Kingdom National Health Services, rinsing with water after brushing removes the concentrated fluoride left on your teeth. Instead, they recommend waiting for 20 minutes before doing an oral rinse, especially if your toothpaste contains alcohol or doesn’t contain fluoride.
Additionally, mouthwash freshens your breath, and most formulas contain alcohol. You could end up rinsing protection from your tooth enamel if you apply mouthwash without fluoride directly after brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
What Is Your Alternative To Rinsing Your Mouth?
Rinsing your mouth with water isn’t a good idea if you are prone to tooth decay. Instead, you can skip the rinse and spit out the toothpaste, as this leaves a fluoride coating on your teeth to protect you from cavities. This also stops you from ingesting too much fluoride.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you can also floss once daily to remove food particles and plaque, the sticky film on your teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease. A 2018 study also discovered that brushing after flossing is the best way to remove plaques. The study participants also removed loose bacteria with brushing and retained high fluoride levels on their teeth.
The National Health Services also advises adults to use toothpaste with at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, while children should use a product with 1,000 ppm of fluoride. You should also brush for two minutes at least twice daily, especially before bed.
The ADA also recommends that children under 3 use fluoride toothpaste once they get their first tooth. However, they advise the child’s parents or guardians to use only a small amount of toothpaste for the brush, preferably the size of a grain of rice.
Conclusion
Experts believe rinsing your mouth after brushing is a bad idea as it removes the fluoride meant to protect your teeth from decay. Instead, you should floss daily to remove the particles left in your teeth.
You can also replenish the fluoride in your teeth using toothpaste with high fluoride content. However, you should only use a small amount to avoid ingesting too much fluoride.
