"The Secret to Stronger Teeth: Stop Rinsing After Brushing"

 Don't rinse after brushing. Your teeth will thank you. 

If you want to get the most out of your  brushing, avoid rinsing afterward. 

Clean the tooth model with a toothbrush. Next to it is a blue pack of dental floss. Proper  brushing removes plaque that causes cavities and gum disease. 

Just because you've been doing something  your whole life doesn't mean it's too late to change something. I used to rinse my mouth  after brushing my teeth to get rid of the toothpaste taste, but I realized that it actually made brushing less effective. 

In an interview with Edmund Hewlett, consumer adviser to the American Dental Association and  professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, I learned exactly why you shouldn't rinse after brushing your teeth. The longer you leave toothpaste in your mouth, the better the fluoride will prevent cavities and gum disease. Learn why you should avoid rinsing after brushing your teeth and get more tips  to optimize your dental care. 

Why You Shouldn't Rinse with Water After Brushing Your Teeth 

Fluoride is a key ingredient in toothpaste that hardens tooth enamel  and makes it more resistant to decay-causing acids. According to Hewlett, fluoride is the most established active ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure your toothpaste contains it. 

When you brush your teeth, you remove all the plaque and bacteria that comes with food and sugary drinks. Going a step further and skipping the rinse allows the fluoride in your toothpaste to stay in your mouth longer, making the fluoride more effective. Wait at least 15 minutes after brushing your teeth before drinking water. Hewlett says that after you brush your teeth,  your saliva washes the toothpaste away, so you won't taste it for the rest of the day. 

 What would happen if you always rinsed after brushing your teeth? 

If you've just learned this tip, you might think that all the hard work of brushing your teeth every day is gone. That's not true. Hewlett says that as long as you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, the fluoride will stay in your mouth and protect your teeth. 

Continue doing what you need to do to maintain your oral health and protect your teeth. Not rinsing is just an extra step to make fluoride  even more effective. 

"When we measure the fluoride levels in people's saliva, we find that people who don't rinse have more fluoride present," Hewlett says. But rinsing isn't a waste of time. He said studies are still being done to determine what difference it makes in preventing cavities in the long term. 

 Your own dental health also plays an important role

Different people have different risk of cavities, Hewlett said. "People who don't normally get cavities should continue to use fluoride toothpaste. Just deciding whether or not to rinse after brushing your teeth probably won't make a difference." 

On the other hand, for people who suffer from cavities, not rinsing may be a better decision. Plus, you should seek your dentist's help  to find out why you get cavities regularly. For example, it could be due to your diet, sugary snacks, or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you are at high risk for cavities, you should do all you can to  prevent them. 

Why not try using mouthwash after brushing your teeth? Most mouthwashes contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing with mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth could wash  concentrated fluoride off your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at a different time, such as after lunch or coffee.  More tips for better brushing 

Here are some additional tips to maintain your oral health: 

Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and never one with medium or hard bristles. Hewlett said anything other than soft bristles can increase your risk of receding gums. 

 As long as you floss once a day to remove plaque and stuck-on food particles, it doesn't matter whether you floss before or after brushing your teeth. 

You don't need to  brush your teeth aggressively to get them clean. Scrubbing your dishes with extra force can be especially clean, but it's unnecessary for your teeth and can lead to receding gums. 

Brush gently along the gum line with a soft  brush to  prevent periodontal disease. 

Always consult  your dentist if you want personal advice; he knows what the state of your oral health is like. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.