Dr. Sara Alhammadi (dentist at 360 Medical Center in Oud Metha, Dubai) said that the habit of rinsing with mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth can wash away the benefits you are trying to achieve. for oral health.
Ms. Sara Alhammadi advised that we should not keep this habit to help keep our teeth strong.
According to Dr. Niyati Arora (cosmetic dentist at Krown Hub Dental Clinic, Pitampura, Delhi, India), the common thinking of many people is to rinse their mouth immediately after brushing their teeth. But they don't know that doing so can cause a high amount of fluoride to be washed away with mouthwash.
“In addition, not rinsing may benefit people who are more susceptible to tooth decay. Therefore, you should spit and not rinse your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth,” Dr. Arora said.
Dr. Arora further informed that leaving a portion of toothpaste on teeth after brushing can help our oral health by prolonging the effectiveness of the toothpaste.
Additionally, rinsing your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth can leach concentrated fluoride from toothpaste. “When you brush your teeth without rinsing, the fluoride in the toothpaste stays on your teeth longer, protecting them from cavities and sensitivity,” says Dr. Arora. It may also support gum health by maintaining a protective barrier against microorganisms.
“Remember, mouthwash often contains antibacterial compounds and bleaching agents, which can reduce the amount of fluoride in toothpaste. Fluoride is a substance that prevents the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay and strengthens tooth surfaces. Using mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth can reduce the effectiveness of fluoride and pose risks to oral health,” Dr. Arora emphasized.
