While most people on social media advocated strongly for rinsing the toothbrush before applying the paste, it turns out that technique is all wrong. “Mixing water into something such as mouth wash or toothpaste can cause it to become diluted,” Robert Leale, a dentist in Spokane, Washington, wrote on his website. “It may lose some or most of its effect on the teeth. This can make brushing or rinsing a waste of time, energy, and money. Mixing water and toothpaste is never recommended as it could possibly lessen the effectiveness of the toothpaste.” Even more shocking, Leale recommended not gargling the toothpaste in your mouth with water afterwards, as it can cause the bacteria to swish around in your mouth instead of killing it away. Instead, you should spit out the toothpaste and then rinse your mouth with a clean cup of water, the way you do at the dentist. Lynn Tomkins, President of the Ontario Dental Association, seconded this motion. “I recommend not rinsing, particularly for the nighttime” Tomkins told Toronto Star. “You leave a nice film of fluoride on your teeth overnight.” She also said you “don’t really need to wet your toothbrush,” and if you feel that your toothbrush is too hard either, switch to a a brush that has softer bristles. So, to summarize, here are the proper steps for ideal toothbrushing:
Wait at least 30 minutes after you’ve eaten in order to avoid pushing the sugar and acids in the food you just consumed into your teeth enamel. And if you’re looking to whiten your teeth, know that This Is the Safest Way to Whiten Your Teeth.
Brush for two minutes (or get an electric brush that has a built-in timer), brushing the chewing surfaces first, following by the side closest to the tongue, then the side closest to the roof of the mouth, then the cheek side, then the outside.
Spit the toothpaste out, grab a clean glass of water, rinse your mouth, and spit the water out. If the water is tinged with pink or red, that’s a sign that it might be time for a teeth cleaning! And remember: good dental hygiene is one of the 100 Best Anti-Aging Secrets. You can rinse off the brush with hot water afterwards to get rid of any residue, but also remember it’s pivotal to change your brush every 6 months! Always keep the brush in a cool, dry place to avoid bacteria. If you really want to make your dentist happy, make sure to floss afterwards, rinse again, and then do another light brush so that you can keep the fluoride working on your teeth overnight.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to sign up for our FREE daily newsletter!
