Should you rinse after brushing your teeth?

There is a prevailing belief that rinsing after brushing your teeth is okay. But you may be doing more harm, or at least not getting your teeth as clean as they can be. Our orthodontists at Village Orthodontics are here to explain how you can still keep rinsing during your oral health care routine, just not immediately after brushing.

Are you supposed to rinse after brushing your teeth?

In short, no, you are not supposed to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. This is because of the flouride found in toothpaste.

Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making teeth more resistant to acidic attacks. When we rinse our mouth after brushing, we wash away the fluoride working on our teeth. 

Instead, if we spit out the toothpaste without rinsing it with water, the fluoride will stay in our mouth and keep working to protect our teeth. Breaking the habit of rinsing our mouth after brushing may be challenging, but it could be beneficial for reducing tooth decay.

Should I rinse my mouth with mouthwash after brushing?

Again, using mouthwash right after brushing your teeth may not be the best idea, even if it has fluoride. Mouthwash with fluoride can protect against tooth decay, but if you use it immediately after brushing, it can wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste that is still on your teeth.

Should I rinse after brushing my teeth if I wear braces?

If you wear braces, you still don't need to rinse after brushing your teeth. However, there are other measures you can take to get rid of any remaining bacteria or food particles in your mouth. 

First, brush your teeth as you normally would. Afterwards, if you feel like there's still something stuck in your teeth, try using an interdental brush. These brushes are great for reaching those tight spaces that your regular toothbrush can't reach. 

After you're done brushing your teeth and braces, make sure to floss as well to get rid of any bacteria hiding between your teeth. 

How can I change my brushing and rinsing routine?

If you usually rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, it might be a good idea to switch up your oral care routine. Try not to rinse out your mouth immediately after spitting, even if you use mouthwash. 

If you do use mouthwash, it's better to use it at a different time than when you brush your teeth so that you can get the maximum benefits of fluoride from your toothpaste. After meals might be a better time, for example.

Do you rinse after brushing your teeth? If you're wondering how you can get the maximum benefit from brushing and rinsing, contact one of our orthodontists at Village Orthodontics today. We have seven practices across Southern Ontario to better serve you and to help find a solution to your problem.