After brushing our teeth, most of us wash our mouths with water, but doctors caution that this regular habit can cause more damage than benefit.
I used to do it consistently, but thanks to counsel from my dentist I have at last broken the habit. Though I still haven’t really got around to flossing—oops!
Still, who has time for that? Really I can see many folks grimacing at the idea; flossing just seems too laborious and takes far too long for me.
Fascinatingly, there’s a strong case for you not rinsing your mouth following tooth brushing.
According to Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh, who owns Inglewood Family Dental in Calgary, rinsing your mouth under the tap right after brushing your teeth is quite discouraged. The New York Post reports.
Ravanbakhsh advised “after you finish brushing, it’s important to spit out any leftover toothpaste.” “Rinsing your mouth with water right after brushing can wash away the fluoride which is meant to help protect against tooth decay.”
Originally included to US public water systems in the 1940s to enhance oral health, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that greatly helps to reduce cavities and avoid tooth decay.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fluoridation of water is considered to be “one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century” due to the success that it has achieved.
Moreover, University of Dundee Scottish dentists Clement Seeballuck and Nicola Innes discussed in an article for The Conversation the need of keeping fluoride after brushing instead of spitting it out.
“Your teeth are much protected by saliva, which you generate less at night than during the day. Your teeth become more sensitive to acid attacks from food particles and germs when saliva flow is lowered,” they said.
Because of this, it is absolutely necessary to remove any food from your teeth before going to bed. Even if food is left behind, plaque bacteria will feast during the night, which will raise the risk that the condition will worse. After nighttime brushing your teeth, try not to eat or drink anything other than water. This habit also lets fluoride from your toothpaste the longest period to strengthen enamel and offer protection.
If you wish to clean your mouth after brushing your teeth, you should resist the urge to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. Doing this removes the fluoride your dental health depends on! Although this change in behavior can first be difficult, studies indicate it can cut tooth decay by up to 25 percent.”
Thus, you have been cautioned! Luckily, developing this habit is not too challenging; it’s just a matter of remembering not to bite your tongue beneath the tap in those first few days while half asleep. After some time, it will become so natural to you that it will become second nature, which will help to ensure that your smile remains radiant and healthy.