Brushing your teeth once in the morning and once before bed is a crucial part of preventing oral health issues and maintaining a lovely smile. To remove excess toothpaste from their mouths, many people rinse once they’re done brushing their teeth. But is this what you’re supposed to do? Read on to learn if rinsing after brushing is good for your dental hygiene or if this step is working against you.
How Fluoride Affects Your Teeth
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring and is released from rocks into the soil, water, and air. It has also been proven to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride has been added to many drinking water sources in small amounts and can also be found in many dental hygiene products. Fluoride is most effective when applied directly to your teeth, so leaving it there for several minutes can help strengthen your pearly whites.
Rinsing After Brushing: Yes or No?
Even though fluoride is beneficial to your oral health, you shouldn’t swallow the leftover toothpaste when you finish brushing. Some dental hygiene products contain fluoride concentrations higher than the recommended daily amount, so doing this is not recommended. Additionally, rinsing your mouth out immediately after brushing can prevent significant fluoride ingestion, but it also counteracts many of the benefits. The U.K.’s Oral Health Foundation recommends spitting out excess saliva or toothpaste instead of rinsing after brushing. Go about your day with the fluoride on your teeth, and avoid eating or drinking anything for at least the next 10 minutes.
Potential Risks of Not Rinsing After Brushing Your Teeth
Though it’s generally safe to skip rinsing after brushing, there are a few side effects associated with ingesting large amounts of fluoride. These side effects are extremely rare when using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, but a few potential risks include:
- Oral health issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) or fluorosis
- Bone weakness and risk of fractures
- Cardiac failure or insufficiency
- Immune system issues
- Early puberty in girls
- Cognitive deficits
- Abdominal pain
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
So, when brushing your teeth at home, make sure to wait before you rinse your mouth out to maximize the cavity-fighting benefits of fluoride. Though it’s incredibly rare to ingest too much fluoride and suffer from complications, make sure to spit out excess toothpaste after you brush to ensure that your oral and overall health remain in excellent shape!
About the Practice
When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you think it could use some work? Dr. James A. Moreau Jr., Dr. Shannon O. Doyle, Dr. Israel M. Finger, and their highly-skilled team of oral health and dental hygiene professionals at MoreSMILES Dental are here to help. They offer dental checkups and cleanings as well as fluoride treatments so patients can maintain healthy, beautiful smiles for years to come. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or want to learn more about their services, call MoreSMILES Dental’s office at (985) 809-7645 or visit their website.