Most people rinse their mouth out with water or mouthwash, or both, after they’ve finished brushing their teeth and spat out the toothpaste. But should you? There are now a large number of people, including a lot of dentists, who believe rinsing the mouth after brushing shouldn’t be done and needs to be expelled as a natural routine of dental hygiene.
To rinse or not to rinse
It’s something that is simply accepted by many people, that you rinse after brushing. But when you sit down and think about it, it makes sense not to. Spitting out the toothpaste once you’re done brushing and leaving the residue on the teeth not only keeps your mouth fresh but means the fluoride in your toothpaste continues to work after you’ve finished brushing and this is exactly what many dentists are now saying.
Many companies that make and sell toothpaste are also preaching the same message. Colgate has stated that leaving fluoride on the teeth can allow the toothpaste to continue to work up until your next meal.
Are there other views?
If you were to follow up reading this article with a look into other people’s views on the internet you would discover an ongoing debate between those who believe in rinsing and those who don’t. Despite many dentists advising to not rinse, a large number of people still stick by the idea of rinsing. This can be true for some toothpaste with very high fluoride concentrations, such as whiteners and smokers’ toothpaste, or toothpastes with other added chemicals which could damage teeth if there is prolonged contact.
It should be stressed however that these toothpastes are not common orthodox toothpastes and are usually prescribed or specialised types.
Most people are aware of the importance of cleaning their teeth, but have you ever spent time cleaning your tongue? Your tongue harbours thousands of bacteria and cleaning it on a regular basis helps to reduce the risk of decay and gum disease, as well as ensuring that your breath is fresh and clean.
Why is it important to clean the tongue?
Bacteria tend to gather around the tongue (especially at the back) and brushing your teeth alone is not sufficient to get rid of the bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Rinsing with mouthwash can be beneficial but you should also spend a couple of minutes cleaning your tongue. We recommend using a flexible plastic device used to scrape bacteria off the tongue.
Around 80 percent of cases of bad breath are linked to bacteria on the tongue and these bacteria can spread to other parts of the mouth, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Using a tongue cleaner removes bacteria from the tongue, eliminating bad breath, a problem that can be embarrassing, and helps you to enjoy good oral health.
Smoking and Your Tongue
Some smokers find that they develop a thick film over their tongue as a result of smoking. Using a tongue cleaner can remove this film, improving the odour of the breath and helping to reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Advice about oral hygiene
If you need any advice about oral hygiene we are always on hand to give tips about brushing, flossing and rinsing, provide information about healthy eating and help with giving up smoking. We can also recommend oral hygiene products at Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol.
Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene and aim to promote good oral health through oral hygiene. A dental hygienist may also be involved in the treatment of oral health diseases.
Why would I need to see a dental hygienist?
Even people who brush their teeth twice a day may need to see a dental hygienist at some point for an extra level of cleanliness. Hygienists provide cleaning treatments that are much more intensive and effective than brushing with a manual brush and can help prevent oral health diseases from developing.
Cleaning treatments, such as a scale and polish, are powerful cleaning treatments that remove plaque and bacteria and can shift tartar and bacteria from areas that are hard to reach with a brush. Your hygienist will be able to see any problem areas and address them, helping you to reduce the risk of developing symptoms associated with dental problems. Such symptoms include swelling, pain, soreness and bleeding.
Your dentist may refer you to a hygienist if your teeth could benefit from a thorough clean or you are suffering from gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. You can arrange an appointment if you feel in need of a deep clean; many people enjoy the feeling of a deep clean as it leaves their teeth feeling smooth and looking shiny and healthy.
Dental hygiene tips
Dental hygiene is key for good oral health and a good everyday oral hygiene routine will help to prevent dental problems and enable you to flash a healthy, radiant smile. Your daily oral hygiene routine should incorporate using a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush morning and evening, as well as flossing and using mouthwash. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is also really important and most dentists advise patients to attend check-ups every six to twelve months.
Sometimes it can be very easy to take your eye off the ball when it comes to looking after your teeth and gums- you know, a wayward weekend here or there, but if you get too lapse, things can go wrong very quickly. However, if you ensure that you keep a high level of oral hygiene going and utilise the services of your dentist regularly, little trip-ups like this should never pose a problem. Your dentist is there to do the type of cleaning that you can’t and can really get right inside your mouth to tackle any problems that you may have missed. Essentially though, it is the work that you do at home that really counts each day. Diet is important and being conservative with your frivolities will help, but after this, you will need the tools and products to maintain a healthy mouth. First on your list should be getting a good toothbrush followed by a suitable toothpaste for your mouth; once these are in the bag, you can back them up with extras such as dental floss and a mouthwash. Combine all of these things and you should retain great oral hygiene throughout your life. For more detailed information, give Clifton dental a cal in Bristol- they operate in Bath and give advice freely.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Sometimes it can be very easy to take your eye off the ball when it comes to looking after your teeth and gums- you know, a wayward weekend here or there, but if you get too lapse, things can go wrong very quickly. However, if you ensure that you keep a high level of oral hygiene going and utilise the services of your dentist regularly, little trip-ups like this should never pose a problem. Your dentist is there to do the type of cleaning that you can’t and can really get right inside your mouth to tackle any problems that you may have missed. Essentially though, it is the work that you do at home that really counts each day. Diet is important and being conservative with your frivolities will help, but after this, you will need the tools and products to maintain a healthy mouth. First on your list should be getting a good toothbrush followed by a suitable toothpaste for your mouth; once these are in the bag, you can back them up with extras such as dental floss and a mouthwash. Combine all of these things and you should retain great oral hygiene throughout your life. For more detailed information, give Clifton dental a cal in Bristol- they operate in Bath and give advice freely.
