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Cleaning teeth - should we rinse out after toothpaste?

(96 Posts)
Franbern Wed 12-May-21 09:07:31

For several years, I would carefully rinse out my mouth after using electric toothbrush, and then use one of the better quality mouthwashes to finish off.

Few months back, one of my AC told me that this was not the way I should be doing it now. By doing that I am rinsing out the flouride ingredient in my toothpaste. All I should do is to spit out any excess toothpaste, but not rinse my mouth at all.

Have been doing this now, and I do use a water flossing machine before I clean my teeth at night. But this non-rinsing out does worry me.
I am seeing my NHS dentist tomorrow for my annual check-up and will ask this of him, but would be interested to know GNetters thoughts on this. Does save me a lot of money on those mouthwashes though!!

Rosina Thu 13-May-21 15:01:49

Several times it has been mentioned that toothpaste has the same kind of detergent present in handwash, and that is it protective. I have always rinsed as I thought it got rid of debris removed when brushing - but now I don't so that when I go out I hopefully have another layer, along with my mask, as protection. That said, I am 73 and still have all my own teeth so I must be doing something right.

overthehill Thu 13-May-21 14:32:55

Been recently no decay for quite a few years. I always rinse can't stand the taste of the toothpaste lingering in my mouth. Anyway, you need to rinse to get rid of any bits you've dislodged by brushing.

KaEllen Thu 13-May-21 14:27:37

I couldn't bear leaving toothpaste in my mouth! My teeth are fine, thank you very much.

grannytotwins Thu 13-May-21 14:03:29

Never rinse. If you don’t like the minty taste, find a fluoride toothpaste with a flavour you like. My DGCs always leave the toothpaste in their teeth. Perfect enamel. Their SB who lives with his mum has been made to rinse and has fillings.

Callistemon Thu 13-May-21 13:53:50

Each change was backed up by experts using the latest medical research.
I was thinking that this morning as I brushed my teeth then rinsed my mouth thoroughly, Grandtante
Leeches used to be used by physicians once.

Coming up for 70, I now please myself. It is my life after all.
I'm older than you - they are my teeth, after all. Well, most of them grin

Petalpop Thu 13-May-21 13:53:39

I am the same as you rugbymumcumbria I have sensitive teeth and the dentist suggested a particular toothpaste (rather expensive) and no rinsing - it works.

rugbymumcumbria Thu 13-May-21 13:49:28

I have very sensitive teeth (a result of letting my dentist whiten them). After taking advice I now use the most popular brand of toothpaste for sensitive teeth and I don’t rinse it out at night.
My teeth aren’t sensitive anymore. It really works.

HannahLoisLuke Thu 13-May-21 13:46:35

I rinse in the morning as I’m going to be having breakfast and cup of tea. Don’t rinse at night, but do use a water flosser before brushing.
I never use mouth wash, especially the ones with alcohol as they do dry out my mouth.

grandtanteJE65 Thu 13-May-21 13:21:42

As I dislike the taste of any toothpaste I have ever managed to find, I shall continue to rinse my mouth thoroughly after brushing my teeth, whatever the experts say.

In my lifetime so far, we have gone from brushing our teeth once a day , to brushing them after every meal, then after sweets and ice cream too, then back to only brushing morning and evening.

Each change was backed up by experts using the latest medical research.

The same thing happened with eating eggs, potatoes, butter, drinking coffee etc.

Coming up for 70, I now please myself. It is my life after all.

nanna8 Thu 13-May-21 13:06:26

Doesn’t fluoride get added to the water in the UK? Just wondering.

Purplepixie Thu 13-May-21 13:05:27

I use Sensodyne toothpaste and my dentist said not to rinse, so I dont.

Grandma70s Thu 13-May-21 13:02:58

I’ve rinsed all my life and I’m not stopping now, I’m 81 and have pretty good teeth.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 13-May-21 12:58:26

I don’t use mouthwash as a rule, just water. Have done for 75 years or at least since I’ve had teeth.

If I use mouthwash I don’t rinse.

effalump Thu 13-May-21 12:57:00

I always rinse because I don't particularly like the taste of toothpaste.

Brigidsdaughter Thu 13-May-21 12:55:59

I came accross this advice in the last year. I now brush well, rinse and then go in again with a smaller amount, spit, etc so I feel clean but not rinsed!

Mollygo Thu 13-May-21 12:17:53

I don’t use mouthwash, but I do swish water round my teeth.
If only I’d known earlier about not rinsing I might not still have a full set of teeth!grin
Never mind, in a few years what I do will be right again.smilesmile

Hazeld Thu 13-May-21 12:15:42

I had read some time ago that we shouldn't rinse after brushing so I thought it quite funny when I was sitting in the dentists chair 3 months ago because of toothache, that on the wall right in front of me was a very large poster advertising a well known mouthwash.

silverlining48 Thu 13-May-21 12:10:49

Dds told me I shouldn’t be rinsing so I have stopped. Don’t think dentist has ever mentioned doing so, but has said always use an electric toothbrush, which I do.

nipsmum Thu 13-May-21 11:53:39

No rinsing for me,

Madwoman11 Thu 13-May-21 11:48:19

My youngest son reeducated me too. Don't rinse

Rowsie Thu 13-May-21 11:37:18

My dentist told me to stop using mouthwash after brushing and to spit not rinse for the exact reason you mentioned. However I feel more confident using mouthwash so I ow use the mouthwash in the morning but at night, before I go to bed I leave my mouth unrinsed so that the fluoride stays on my teeth. My dentist said this is a good compromise.

Jaxie Thu 13-May-21 11:36:41

“ Most mouthwashes are just coloured water with a bit of flavouring” not true. I’m on immunosuppressive drugs and if I bite the inside of my mouth I get sores, which only clear up after a few rinses with a Colgate mouthwash.

Nannapat1 Thu 13-May-21 11:34:51

My DH is a dentist and says it's best not to rinse if you want the fluoride to do its work. However, I've always rinsed with a mouthwash which contains fluoride, except when I've used Sensodyne where obviously it pays to leave the toothpaste to reduce sensitivity!

Aepgirl Thu 13-May-21 11:32:46

Just a good spit, without rinsing.

greenlady102 Thu 13-May-21 11:23:47

its easy! rinse with a fluoride containg mouthwash