Cleaning teeth - should we rinse out after toothpaste?

One of the podcasts the twin doctor brothers present was about dentists and they had a very renowned dentist on and one of the things he said was it doesnt matter how cheap or expensive your toothpaste is as long as it has fluoride you will be fine.
I can't remember what he said about rinsing. I will have to listen again. But you must floss first before you brush. And I think he also said dont dry brush with no water and paste as you will damage the tooth surface....but maybe someone èlse said that.

Personally I floss with little silicone Teepee sticks, then brush with toothpaste to get all the bits away, rinse and then put a small blob of toothpaste on my brush, brush, spit but don't rinse.

I always rinse thoroughly with water. I don’t want to taste artificial sweeteners and peppermint. Presumably the strong flavouring is to disguise the chemicals used but I hate peppermint.

I do both. Brush, rinse ( because my mouth doesn’t feel clean if I don’t) and then brush again because I have really sensitive teeth and need the protection. Also floss and use a dental stick. If my teeth feel as though there is still plaque I do use a mouthwash. If only I’d done all this throughout my life I wouldn’t have a mouth full of crowns and fillings…

Franbern

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!!

You're absolutely right — the current advice from the NHS and dental experts is not to rinse after brushing. Just spit out the excess toothpaste to let the fluoride stay on your teeth longer and protect them better. Rinsing with water or mouthwash straight after brushing washes the fluoride away.

Using a water flosser beforehand and then brushing without rinsing is actually a great routine! It might feel odd at first, but you're helping your teeth more in the long run. Definitely worth checking with your dentist, but sounds like you're on the right track — and yes, skipping the mouthwash does save a few quid too!

Jaxie, I’m interested in your post. I’ve been having unpleasant sores inside both cheeks. They look like very dark blood blisters and can last quite a long time before fading to a purple grey. I sent pics to the dentist and his only thought was that they might be caused by biting.

Can I ask which of the C mouthwashes you’ve been having success with please?

I usually rinse out after brushing my teeth because I don't like the taste of toothpaste. Recently I visited a Dentist to get my Invisible Retainer and I asked him that is it good to rinse after brushing. He recommended not to rinse after brushing.

I have been 'no rinse' since reading this. It felt strange at first but I am used to it now. If I remember I have a good rinse with water before brushing. I have never used mouthwash.

My dental expert advised me to spit out the excess toothpaste instead of rinsing my mouth immediately after brushing. Rinsing will wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Or else he told me to use a fluoride-containing mouthwash or mouth rinse instead of water. Also, he added that wait at least half an hour after brushing to drink water or consume alcohol.

My toothpaste is quite pleasant and not too strong.. Isn’t it better to leave remains of toothpaste in the mouth and not bother with mouthwash. Goodness knows what is in it.
I find if I have the taste of toothpaste it stops me snacking on sweet things. Double bubble.

I had a dentist's appointment on Monday and asked about this. As I said above, they are always years behind with this sort of thing here in Germany and had never heard of this. She did say that if you use mouthwash it also contains the same substances (mainly fluoride) so it's fine to do that.

I make my own mouthwash as part of my campaign to reduce plastic in the bathroom, however. But I've looked at DH"s and there is no mention of waiting after cleaning your teeth before using the mouthwash.

We are aware, though, as has been mentioned, that you shouldn't clean your teeth immediately after eating. We read the paper for a bit after breakfast before brushing.

Yes, no rinsing after brushing and use mouthwash before brushing, I read.

I too was told not to rinse after cleaning teeth and have to admit my mouth stays fresher longer and teeth whiter.

You can spit!!

Those of you complaining about the taste of leaving toothpaste on your teeth are maybe using more than the pea sized blob that is recommended.

No rinse here but it took a long time to get used to the idea. As has been said already it does feel like sweeping up and then leaving the bits on the floor!

I wouldn't like the toothpaste in my mouth ..have been told l shouldn't rinse as well.

I only swish round with water, but my dentist suggested a mouthwash without alcohol last time I went. I don’t use it because I dislike it, but I’ll ask her again next time.
I must remember to ask before I’ve got a mouth full of mirror and polisher!

I’ve been told on several occasions by my dentist and hygienist never to rinse out after brushing my teeth.

My dentist says to use mouthwash. But then again, medical research is usually about 10 years behind here in Germany, I have found.

Having said that, I can't imagine not rinsing after cleaning teeth. I have a mouthful of foam and it's running down my chin when I've finished brushing. Even after spitting it out, there's still too much in there even to be able to talk.

And as Suedonim said at the bottom of the first page, all the stuff you've removed by brushing is still in your mouth. It's like sweeping the floor and leaving the sweeping all in a pile in the middle.

I was always told not to rinse out, use less toothpaste and then spit out excess, I never have a mouthful of paste left, just the protection from it.

Where is janea when you need her?

I think it is actually scale and polish rather than scrape and polish.

No rinsing x

Another thing I have learnt in recent times is that we shouldn't brush our teeth immediately after eating.

I always seem to lose a filling after a scrape and polish!

Just returned from my annual dental check-up. Absolutely nothing needs doing. Not bad for 80 years of age, having also given birth to five children, Checked with dentist who confirmed that my daughter was correct, in that, with good quality toothpaste these days, it should not be rinsed out, but left to do its work. He also, thought that the water flosser was an excellent idea and help with dental hygiene.

I have not gone to a dental hygienist for the past three years. Used to pay exhorbinate price for this, but the last time I went, she caused me so much pain, that lasted for over a week. Never again.

I always rinsed after brushing, but a few years ago I saw a dental hygienist at my dentist who told me not to due to the reason mentioned in Franbern’s post. I stopped rinsing after brushing and it doesn’t bother me. I used to have sensitive teeth and I believe because of not rinsing after brushing I haven’t had much sensitivity.