Although it can be a common instinct to rinse your mouth out after you brush, this isn't always the best thing for your teeth and gums. So, should you rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth? In this post, our Langley orthodontists discuss what you should do when it comes to rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth.
Should you rinse after brushing?
In short, no, you are not supposed to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. This is because of the fluoride found in toothpaste that can prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making teeth more resistant to acidic attacks. When you rinse your mouth after brushing, you are washing away the fluoride that is trying to protect your teeth.
Instead, if you spit out the toothpaste without rinsing it with water, the fluoride will stay in your mouth and keep working to protect your teeth. Breaking the habit of rinsing our mouth after brushing may be tough if it is a long-standing habit, but it could be beneficial for reducing tooth decay.
Fluoride helps protect your teeth the most when applied directly to your teeth. Fluoride that stays on your teeth for several minutes will offer the greatest benefit.
Should I rinse my mouth with mouthwash after brushing?
If you rinse with mouthwash without fluoride directly after brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, you may be rinsing fluoride off your tooth enamel. This can be doing more harm than good. However, if you’re using a mouthwash that contains fluoride, it may help keep fluoride levels elevated after you have brushed.
Should I rinse after brushing my teeth if I wear braces?
If you wear braces, it is still not mandatory that you rinse after brushing your teeth. However, there are other measures you can take to get rid of any remaining bacteria or food particles in your mouth.
Start by brushing your teeth as you normally would. Then, if you feel like there's still something stuck in your teeth, try using an interdental brush. These brushes are designed to reach those tight spaces that your regular toothbrush can't reach when you have braces.
After you're done brushing, be sure to floss to get rid of any bacteria hiding between your teeth.
How can I change my brushing and rinsing routine?
If you usually rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, it might be a good idea to switch up your dental routine. Try not to rinse out your mouth immediately after spitting, even if you use mouthwash.
If you do use mouthwash, it's better to use it at a different time than when you brush your teeth so that you can get the maximum benefits of fluoride from your toothpaste. After meals might be a better time, for example.
If you're dead set on rinsing your teeth after you brush, try to wait five to ten minutes first. This will allow your teeth to benefit from the fluoride before it is washed away.