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Posted on 8/30/2016 by Dr. Kelsey Ullsmith |
Most people struggle when it comes to figuring out the best way to keep their teeth safe and healthy. There are so many conflicting studies that it is hard to know what is best to do. If you have been trying to figure out the best ways to care for your teeth during your oral hygiene routine, then you should talk with your dentist. He or she can tell you what is going to be best based on what you currently do and the condition of your teeth. The Pros of Rinsing After You BrushIf you rinse your mouth after you finish brushing, you are going to be able to rinse the bacteria you just brushed off of your teeth away. This means that you are not going to swallow all of those germs, potentially making you sick. The Cons of Rinsing After You BrushBy rinsing immediately after you brush your teeth, you are also rinsing off all of the fluoride that you just added to your mouth by using the right toothpaste. You need to brush for at least two minutes for the fluoride to start to penetrate your teeth, so if you rinse it all off right after brushing, it doesn't soak in and give you the decay benefits that fluoride is known for. One way to make sure that you are doing as little damage as possible is to rinse with a mouthwash that contains fluoride, so you are losing as little as possible. No matter which argument you and your dentist decide is best for you, just keep it consistent. You should make sure that you are brushing for at least two minutes, flossing daily, and contacting our office regularly. This will help you keep your teeth in tip-top shape and leave you with fewer dental issues than those who don't. |