“TO RINSE or not to rinse?”
We chanced upon this article published in Popular Science. It is interesting reading, saying that “you might be brushing your teeth wrong.
We are sharing the article of Jocelyn Solis-Moreira. The popular science magazine, published online, asked dentists about the best dental hygiene practices.
Brushing your teeth is usually straightforward: put toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush for a couple of minutes, and rinse. It’s the last part that we bring up here: to rinse or not to rinse? And how soon after brushing your teeth?
There’s fluoride in toothpaste and it helps prevent tooth decay by remineralizing the tooth enamel. In the United States, the recommendation is to use toothpaste the size of a pea.
To get the most out of fluoride protection, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for a full two minutes.
According to Ms. Solis-Moreira’s article, “spitting instead of rinsing toothpaste gives fluoride more time to assist with the remineralization process – especially since tooth enamel cannot grow back once it is completely destroyed.”
That allows the fluoride to stay a little bit longer on your teeth and gives it maximum protection.
Spitting may leave food bits in the mouth while rinsing may be a more thorough way to rid of leftover food. If that’s the case, the article observes, floss first and then rinse.
Another way to use fluoride fully is to delay rinsing for about 20 to 30 minutes, Ms. Solis-Moreira writes. This way, the fluoride in toothpaste acts like a mouthrinse. Most over-the-counter toothpaste has a fluoride content of around 1,000 to 1,500 parts per million, whereas most fluoride mouthrinses are usually 100 to 200 parts per million, the Popular Science article observes.
“The bottom line is the choice is up to you whether you want to spit or rinse after brushing,” Ms. Solis-Moreira says. “Your dentist will probably not hold it against you.”
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
