You could actually damage your teeth by rinsing!
Do you always rinse your mouth with water after you brush your teeth? It makes sense; it definitely feels better when you get rid of all the tooth paste that was left behind after spitting. But did you know that rinsing your mouth with water after brushing your teeth could cause cavities?
Fluoride
You toothpaste contains fluoride. This fluoride plays an important part in preventing tooth decay. When you brush your teeth, you distribute fluoride on your teeth. That fluoride will make your teeth stronger. If you then rinse your mouth with water, you will get rid of all that fluoride and with that, the substance that could protect your teeth from plaque and decay. And who wouldn’t want to have strong teeth?
Alternatives
So the best thing to do, would be to stop rinsing. If you hate the idea of not rinsing, then you could also use an alternative method. Like a mouth wash that contains fluoride. If you rinse your mouth with a mouth wash that has fluoride in it, you will still get the benefits without the feeling and taste of toothpaste in your mouth.
Some good news for those of you living in the U.S.; since 1962, the U.S. government uses fluoride in the drinking water. That means that if you use your drinking water to rinse after brushing your teeth, you will still be rinsing with fluoride! That way, you can rinse and prevent tooth decay at the same time.
Also read: Toothbrushes: electric or manual? This is the best way to brush your teeth!
Source: Margriet, American Cancer Society | Image: Unsplash, Diana Polekhina