“Are you supposed to rinse after tooth-brushing?” In almost every case, the answer is “No!” Leaving a coating of toothpaste on your teeth for as long as possible will make your teeth much stronger.
Rinsing with water after brushing is bad for your teeth - it washes away the protective fluoride from the toothpaste left behind after brushing. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay and cavities. Fluoride also repairs weak spots. Spitting instead of rinsing ensures that the fluoride will be more effective, as the fluoride will remain on your teeth much longer than just for the two minutes that you are brushing.
You should brush your teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice a day. The night brush just before bed is the most important. It allows your teeth to get the benefit of your fluoride toothpaste for many hours, if you don’t rinse, eat or drink after brushing.
Remember, have a drink BEFORE you brush your teeth, not after.
- BRUSH for at least two minutes. Save the toothpaste foam in your mouth - don’t spit any out.
- Close your mouth and SWISH the mixture of tooth paste and saliva around your mouth, forcing it all over and in between your teeth. Pump the toothpaste foam between your cheeks and lips for 20 times, or for about one minute. Swishing will increase your saliva flow. Saliva contains calcium which is also great for teeth.
- Then SPIT out the excess toothpaste foam.
If you BRUSH, SWISH, SPIT, and don't rinse, you will double your protection against tooth decay and cavities.