It's standard practice: You brush your teeth for 2 minutes with a toothbrush and toothpaste, then spit and rinse with either water or mouthwash. However, it turns out holding off on rinsing may be key to keeping your teeth healthy -- especially if you're prone to cavities. To find out why we should stop rinsing our mouths immediately after brushing our teeth, we consulted two dentists for their expert insights.
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Why you should stop rinsing after brushing your teeth
When you rinse with water after brushing your teeth, you're washing away the fluoride and active ingredients from your toothpaste, says Dr. Whitney White, practice owner at Aspen Dental. "Brush, spit and do not rinse with water," she advises.
If you've been rinsing all this time, don't panic. Dr. Roopali Kulkarni, a consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association, says that if you’re accustomed to rinsing your mouth immediately after brushing, there's no need for concern. As long as you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth once daily, you're all good.
However, Kulkarni agrees with White: Not rinsing after brushing allows the fluoride to fully do its job in strengthening tooth enamel.
What about mouthwash?
While some people rinse with water after brushing, others use mouthwash. Is there a difference when it comes to the benefits you could receive from not rinsing immediately, especially if your mouthwash contains fluoride like your toothpaste?
According to Kulkarni, the same applies, even if you use a fluoride mouthwash. "It's best to still wait to rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing, as mouthwash typically contains a lower amount of fluoride compared to your fluoride toothpaste."
Between rinsing with water and mouthwash, after waiting a bit to rinse, White prefers mouthwash -- specifically, alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid potential irritation -- because it can help protect against dental issues like plaque buildup and gingivitis.
Even if you're using mouthwash as opposed to water, you'll want to wait to rinse out your mouth.
Grace Cary/Getty ImagesRisks to rinsing after brushing
The only risk associated with rinsing after brushing is that it may decrease the effectiveness of the fluoride in your toothpaste. "However, it’s most important that you use a fluoride-containing toothpaste," says Kulkarni.
Any toothpaste that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance for its anticavity claims will contain fluoride.
Risks to not rinsing after brushing
If you don't rinse after brushing your teeth, Kulkarni states that there are no risks associated with this practice. In fact, you can only benefit because "not rinsing after brushing can simply help the fluoride be more effective in protecting your teeth."
Individuals prone to cavities can especially benefit, says White, since the fluoride in toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to cavity-inducing acids.
How long to wait to rinse after brushing your teeth
If you choose not to rinse after brushing so the fluoride in your toothpaste has more time to work on your teeth, Kulkarni recommends waiting 15 to 20 minutes, whether you're rinsing with water or mouthwash.
Remember to wait at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
Volodymyr Bushmelov/Getty ImagesThe correct order for brushing your teeth, flossing and rinsing
To get the most out of your fluoride toothpaste, brush, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse. But what happens when you add floss to the equation?
"There is no set order to brushing and flossing," Kulkarni states. Instead, focus on brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or an alternative interdental cleaner (such as a water flosser), eating a healthy and balanced diet limited in sugar and seeing your dentist regularly.
On the other hand, White says that she flosses first to loosen and remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. Then she brushes to further remove food particles, plaque and lingering bacteria. She waits 20 minutes before rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash.
"Some people do prefer to brush first and then floss, which is totally OK," White adds. "The most important thing is to consistently brush, floss and rinse."
The bottom line
Waiting 15 to 20 minutes to rinse after brushing your teeth gives the fluoride in your toothpaste more time to work, which can be particularly beneficial if you're prone to cavities. However, there's nothing wrong with rinsing after brushing your teeth.
If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, consult your dentist, whom you should visit regularly to maintain a healthy smile.
"There is no evidence to suggest that rubbing toothpaste on your teeth versus brushing toothpaste on with a toothbrush has any added benefits," says Kulkarni. "As long as you're using a fluoride-containing toothpaste, it will help make enamel more resistant to cavity-inducing acids."
White adds that while applying toothpaste directly to your teeth may provide a temporary fluoride coating and strengthen enamel, it's not a substitute for regular brushing, as it won't remove plaque and debris.
White doesn't recommend leaving toothpaste on your teeth overnight. "While prolonged exposure to fluoride can strengthen enamel, there is no reliable evidence to support this," she says.
Kulkarni concurs, emphasizing that the most beneficial approach is to brush twice a day, clean between your teeth once a day with floss, see your dentist regularly and eat a balanced diet.
To get the most out of your fluoride toothpaste, dentists recommend waiting 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. However, there is no risk in rinsing after brushing.
The 2-2-2 rule refers to brushing your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, and visiting your dentist twice a year. Note that individuals with more complex dental needs may need to visit their dentist more often.
