GoKawiilIt's standard practice: You brush your teeth for 2 minutes with a toothbrush and toothpaste, then spit and rinse with either water or mouthwash. However, it turns out holding off on rinsing may be key to keeping your teeth healthy -- especially if you're prone to cavities. To find out why we should stop rinsing our mouths immediately after brushing our teeth, we consulted two dentists for their expert insights.
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Why you should stop rinsing after brushing your teeth
When you rinse with water after brushing your teeth, you're washing away the fluoride and active ingredients from your toothpaste, says Dr. Whitney White, practice owner at Aspen Dental. "Brush, spit and do not rinse with water," she advises.
If you've been rinsing all this time, don't panic. Dr. Roopali Kulkarni, a consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association, says that if you’re accustomed to rinsing your mouth immediately after brushing, there's no need for concern. As long as you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth once daily, you're all good.
However, Kulkarni agrees with White: Not rinsing after brushing allows the fluoride to fully do its job in strengthening tooth enamel.
What about mouthwash?
While some people rinse with water after brushing, others use mouthwash. Is there a difference when it comes to the benefits you could receive from not rinsing immediately, especially if your mouthwash contains fluoride like your toothpaste?
According to Kulkarni, the same applies, even if you use a fluoride mouthwash. "It's best to still wait to rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing, as mouthwash typically contains a lower amount of fluoride compared to your fluoride toothpaste."
Between rinsing with water and mouthwash, after waiting a bit to rinse, White prefers mouthwash -- specifically, alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid potential irritation -- because it can help protect against dental issues like plaque buildup and gingivitis.
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