We all know that we should brush our teeth twice a day, floss and use mouthwash.
But all that effort could be for naught, as dentists warn that many of us are brushing our pearly whites incorrectly.
In fact, experts say that we shouldn’t rinse our mouths with water immediately after brushing as this puts us on the hook for cavities.
According to little-known advice, even rinsing directly with mouthwash can increase the risk of tooth decay.
That’s because rinsing your mouth will ‘wash away’ the concentrated fluoride in toothpaste, meaning it won’t work completely, says Dr Shyaam Vallabh, lead dentist at Smmmile in Nottingham.
Dentists warn against rinsing your mouth with water immediately after brushing as this can increase the risk of cavities
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water and found in varying amounts in Britain. Toothpaste containing fluoride is one of the best ways to strengthen your enamel and reduce the risk of cavities
We should all brush our teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, for about two minutes each time, the NHS says.
Brushing regularly in this way helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay by removing the buildup of plaque, a layer of bacteria that coats your teeth when you don’t brush them properly.
Tooth decay is a major problem in Britain. According to the Oral Health Foundation, about a third of adults (33 percent) have tooth decay and three-quarters have had a tooth extracted.
Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth caused by acids made by bacteria in plaque. Every time you drink a sugary drink or food, it causes the bacteria in the plaque to produce acid that attacks the teeth.
But brushing twice a day may not be enough if you rinse water through your mouth after brushing.
‘By rinsing your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth, you are washing away the concentrated fluoride before it has a chance to fully work,’ Dr Vallabh told MailOnline.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and is found in varying amounts in the water supply in the UK.
It helps strengthen the hard outer protective layer of teeth called enamel, which in turn protects teeth from damage and wear.
Toothpaste with fluoride is one of the best ways to strengthen your enamel and reduce the risk of cavities. That’s why it’s important to leave this on your teeth for as long as possible, Dr. Vallabh warns.
The NHS also urges people to only spit out excess toothpaste and not rinse it off, as this will reduce the preventive effects of fluoride.
But if you’re eager to rinse the toothpaste away, you should wait at least 30 minutes, says Dr. Vallabh.
“If you’re still eager to rinse, I recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before rinsing with water or eating or drinking anything,” he says.
‘This allows the fluoride to be absorbed by the teeth and provides better protection.’
Although washing the toothpaste out of your mouth won’t immediately cause cavities, rinsing your mouth repeatedly with water after brushing can increase your risk of cavities over time, he warns.
But even using a mouthwash to freshen your breath after brushing your teeth can reduce the enamel-strengthening effects of fluoride.
‘Mouthwashes are generally used to freshen breath, and many of them actually have no oral health benefits,’ says Dr Vallabh.
‘There is general consensus that using mouthwash after brushing is more effective.
‘But at Smmmile we recommend using mouthwash at a different time of day to avoid washing away the fluoride from your teeth.’
Even if you use a mouthwash containing fluoride immediately after brushing, the concentrated fluoride left on your teeth can be washed away, the NHS says.
Even if you use a mouthwash containing fluoride immediately after brushing, the concentrated fluoride left on your teeth can be washed away, the NHS says.
Instead, dentists urge people to use mouthwash at a different time of day, such as after lunch.
However, dentists may recommend using fluoride mouthwash if you are prone to gum disease or tooth decay, says Dr. Nigel Carter of the Oral Health Foundation.
“If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend using a mouthwash with antibacterial or essential oils to help reduce levels of harmful plaque bacteria,” he says.
‘A mouthwash with fluoride can be useful to give the enamel extra strength and protection against tooth decay and erosion. A dentist may also prescribe a higher level of fluoride toothpaste if you are at greater risk for tooth decay or if you have gum recession.”