If you're someone who cares about their oral hygiene, it's likely you’ve found yourself asking this very question. It's also likely that you’ve heard some conflicting advice on whether or not you should rinse after brushing your teeth.
In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of rinsing after brushing your teeth. We’ll see what the experts have to say, and all the factors you should be concerned about.
Read on to find out whether or not you should be rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth.
The Case Against Rinsing
Increases Protection
By brushing your teeth with protective substances such as n-Ha or fluoride, you are allowing the enamel in your teeth to become strengthened.
These factors continue to protect and remineralize your teeth after you have brushed them, providing you have left a small coating on your teeth.
By not spitting the excess toothpaste after brushing your teeth, but not rinsing your mouth with water, you allow this protective layer to remain.
This helps to protect teeth from cavities, sensitivities and overall wear.
Freshens Breath Longer
Toothpaste has antibacterial properties which help to combat bad breath. Along with this, the minty, or other flavors in the toothpaste help to keep your breath fresh.
By spitting, but not rinsing your mouth, you allow these antibacterial properties to continue to battle the bad odor causing behavior. The toothpaste flavor will also linger for longer, ensuring a fresh breath for longer than with rinsing.
What Experts say
According to the NHS:
“After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste.
Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste.
Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.”
According To Dentists:
Dentists claim that there is no need to rinse out your mouth after brushing your teeth, for the very reason we mentioned before.
Allowing a small layer of toothpaste to remain on your teeth allows it to continue its beneficial effects long after you have brushed your teeth.
The Case for Rinsing
Although most dentists do not recommend rinsing after brushing your teeth, there are some reasons why people prefer to rinse after brushing their teeth.
Removes Food Particles
If you’re someone who brushes their teeth right after dinner, or after a quick breakfast rushing out of the house, you may know the familiar feeling of having small bits of food particles stuck behind your back teeth.
Whilst for most people they will become dislodged by brushing, some people fail to reach these leftover food remnants, particularly those who are in a rush.
In this case, rinsing your mouth out with water after you brush your teeth can help dislodge these extra food particles, leaving you with a clean mouth.
Leaves Mouth Feeling Clean
For many people who have built a habit around rinsing their mouth out with water after brushing their teeth, they associate this rinsed feeling with a clean mouth.
For people who have been rinsing their mouths after brushing their teeth their whole lives, getting out of this habit can be difficult.
Worries About Fluoride Ingestion
Some people who are concerned about ingesting leftover toothpaste, particularly fluoride containing toothpaste.
These people often prefer to rinse their mouth out thoroughly after brushing their teeth to make sure they are not ingesting any fluoride, or other contents found in toothpaste.
It is not advised to take big amounts of fluoride toothpaste. Symptoms of excessive fluoride consumption include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
However, when using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, these negative effects are incredibly rare.
Additionally, these negative effects often only occur when children consume high amounts of adult-directed fluoride solutions or when fluoride supplies marketed for dental offices are misused.
Removes Toothpaste Taste
If you're someone who likes to brush their teeth before breakfast, or during the day, you might find that the taste of toothpaste interferes with the enjoyment of your morning coffee.
If this is you, you are likely someone who prefers to thoroughly rinse their mouth out after brushing their teeth, in order to remove the toothpaste taste and keep your mouth tasting as neutral as possible.
Finding Your Balance
There are different pros and cons both to rinsing after you brush your teeth, and simply spitting out the excess toothpaste once you finish brushing. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to brushing our teeth.
However, it is important to note that dentists and dental experts recommend simply spit after brushing your teeth. This allows the protective factors in toothpaste, such as n-Ha to work well after you’ve finished brushing your teeth.
For people who have spent their lives rinsing after brushing, this will likely take some getting used to.
If you do not like the taste of toothpaste, there may be a middle ground which you find helpful. This includes spitting, but not rinsing the extra toothpaste, or using a very small amount of water to swirl briefly before spitting.
Additionally, it is important to wait 20 to 30 minutes after brushing your teeth, to use mouthwash. This will allow the toothpaste to continue protecting your teeth for some time, before washing it away with mouthwash.
Conclusion
In general, we, along with other experts, recommend that you do not rinse after brushing your teeth. This allows the protective factors in toothpaste, such as those found in Boka’s n-Ha toothpaste to work well after you’ve finished brushing your teeth.
However, we know there are many reasons why you may prefer to rinse after brushing your teeth. If this is you, and you find the habit difficult to break, we recommend only using a small amount of water to quickly swirl through your mouth, and not using mouthwash until 20-30 minutes after you finish brushing your teeth.
If you're someone who insists on rinsing after brushing your teeth, we recommend our range of flavored toothpaste that goes beyond mind. With flavors like lemon lavender, orange, watermelon mint and more, you won't want to rinse after brushing.
Join the Boka Tribe
We welcome people who care about their dental health to try our expert toothpaste. Here at Boka, we use cutting edge technology to formulate toothpaste that remineralizes, whitens, and removes plaque using NASA-approved n-Ha ingredients.
Our toothpaste is a great option for people looking for a fluoride free formula that biomimics the structure of teeth, supporting dental health.