May 8, 2024
It’s Not Recommended to Rinse Your Teeth After Brushing. Here’s Why
Posted by Paul Battista in category: biotech/medical
If you’re still rinsing your teeth with water after brushing them, it may be time to stop. There are actually some benefits to leaving that extra bit of toothpaste on your teeth. I used to rinse after brushing my teeth — and even went back over them with a wet toothbrush — to remove any remnants of toothpaste left in my mouth. But then I found out from a dentist’s TikTok video that doing that isn’t the most effective method of keeping your chompers in good shape.
Instead, I now spit out as much toothpaste as I can without swishing with water, so I can allow the toothpaste to do its job just a little longer. However, I wasn’t sure why I was doing this — or what the benefits were — until I spoke with an expert.
I talked to Dr. Edmond Hewlett, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association and a professor at UCLA School of Dentistry, to find out why you shouldn’t rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth. Here’s the answer. For more tips, here’s why you should floss before brushing your teeth.