Should You Rinse After Brushing Your Teeth? Our Experts Say No
After you're finished brushing your teeth, you can go ahead and skip the rinse step. As it turns out, it could actually be detrimental to the health of those pearly whites. It might sound (and feel) a little odd, but going without a quick swish of water could improve the health of your teeth in general.
According to Edmond Hewlett, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and professor at UCLA School of Dentistry, leaving the toothpaste in your mouth for a bit longer allows the fluoride to better protect against tooth decay and gum disease.
So next time you brush your teeth, try resisting the urge to rinse right away. Instead, let the toothpaste linger in your mouth for a few extra moments, giving the fluoride more time to work its magic. Your teeth will thank you in the long run.
Why you should stop rinsing with water after tooth brushing
Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste that helps make your tooth enamel harder and more resistant to acids that cause cavities. Hewlett says it's the most well-established effective ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure yours has fluoride.
When brushing your teeth, you clean any film and bacteria from food and sugary drinks. When you go a step further and skip rinsing, you're leaving the fluoride from the toothpaste in your mouth for a longer time, giving you a better effect from the fluoride.
Wait at least 15 minutes after brushing to drink water. After brushing your teeth, Hewlett explains, your saliva will clear the toothpaste out so you won't taste it all day.
What if you've always rinsed after tooth brushing?
If you're just learning about this tip, you may think you've been undoing all your hard work of brushing every day. That's not true. Hewlett says as long as you brush the standard twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the fluoride will remain in your mouth to 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 to help the fluoride be even more effective.
"When you measure a person's fluoride levels in saliva, if they don't rinse, there's more fluoride," Hewlett said. However, it won't be a waste of your time if you rinse. He said research is still being done to determine the difference it makes in the long term to prevent cavities.
Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Are there risks to not rinsing after brushing your teeth?
According to Dr. Marcus Brian Ward, dentist and founder of Eastern Pines Dental in Greenville, North Carolina, there are no common side effects associated with not rinsing after brushing your teeth.
'Over-the-counter toothpastes have about 1,000 ppm concentrated fluoride -- not enough to cause harm in adults,' he explains. He recommends avoiding off-label use of fluoride because there can be atypical side effects in those circumstances. Some side effects can include: fluorosis, gastrointestinal issues and neurological symptoms.
Dr. Naomi Goldman, a restorative and cosmetic dentist at Levy Goldman Dentistry, recommends being mindful of how much toothpaste you use when you brush and limiting it to three times a day. 'You should only be using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your brush during brushing.' For children and toddlers, the same applies but Goldman advises only using a grain of rice-sized amount of toothpaste.
Your own dental health also plays a role
There are different risk levels for getting cavities per person, Hewlett said. "If you typically don't get cavities, then you should continue using fluoride toothpaste. The decision to rinse or not to rinse after brushing probably won't make a difference."
On the other hand, for those who struggle with cavities, not rinsing is probably a better decision. Additionally, you should get help from your dentist to find out why you're getting cavities regularly. For instance, it could be your eating habits, snacking on sugary foods or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you're at higher risk for cavities, you should do everything you can to help prevent them.
What about using mouthwash after brushing?
Most mouthwashes contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing with mouthwash right after brushing can wash away the concentrated fluoride from your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at another time, like after lunch or coffee.
More tips for improving your tooth brushing
Here are some additional tips for keeping your oral health up to par.
Always use a soft bristle toothbrush and never medium or hard. Hewlett said anything but soft can increase the risk of gum recession.
It doesn't matter if you floss before or after brushing your teeth, as long as you floss once daily to remove plaque and stuck food.
You don't have to aggressively brush your teeth to get them clean. While scrubbing your dishes with extra force may make them extra clean, it's unnecessary for your teeth and can lead to gum recession.
Gently brush along the gum line with a soft bristle brush to help prevent gum disease.
Always consult with your dentist for personalized advice. They understand what your oral health profile looks like.
Dental FAQS
How long should you wait before rinsing after brushing?
Goldman recommends waiting 30 minutes after brushing to allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to have full cavity prevention effects on the teeth. Ward adds that your natural saliva will vacate much of the product in a few minutes after brushing.
Do dentists recommend rinsing after brushing?
Dentists' opinions vary on 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 you rinse or not after brushing,' he says.
On the other hand, if you have excessive tooth decay, Ward recommends waiting at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Either way, consult with your dentist first to come up with an appropriate hygiene protocol for your situation and needs.
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