According to a recent survey, over 90% of Australian believe rinsing your mouth after brushing is beneficial.
If you’re a regular user of mouthwash or toothpaste, it may be hard to believe that you’re doing your teeth more harm than good by rinsing your mouth. But that’s because you haven’t considered the science behind rinsing your mouth.
Growing up we were taught the habit by our parents to rinse after we brush, but research has suggested it is actually more beneficial NOT to rinse after you brush.
There are a couple of primary reasons why you should refrain from rincing your mouth, or even worse, swallowing your toothpaste if you rinse your mouth.
When you swallow toothpaste it can potentially cause minor stomache problems. It can cause stomach acid to come up into your esophagus and throat, and this may not be a good thing if this occurs while you are asleep.
But the primary reason you should not rinse your toothpaste is that you will rinse away a protective layer of flouride from your teeth, which has been applied while brushing.
Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.
Of course, you should still floss prior to brushing, and also choose a toothpaste with the right concentration of flouride. Not all toothpastes are the same.
- Adults should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 ppm fluoride.
- A child doesn’t need to use special children’s toothpaste; a child of any age can use family toothpaste as long as it contains 1,350 to 1,
- Children as young as three years old who don’t have tooth decay can use a lower-strength children’s toothpaste, but make sure it contains at least 1,000ppm fluoride.
- Young kids should use a small amount of toothpaste when brushing their teeth for the first time.
- Toddlers 3 to 6 years old should use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste. Make sure they don’t lick or eat toothpaste.
Your dentist may advise you or your child to use a toothpaste with a higher concentration of fluoride, if you need it.
Overall, if you have any queries about the correct way to clean your teeth, or your children’s, talk to one of the detal team at Bright Smiles Dentistry for helpful tips.
