Not sure if this is 100% scientifically backed but I read a bit by a dental hygienist on a forum that you shouldn’t rinse when brushing with proper toothpaste because it can help remineralize the teeth if when its not rinsed away after

Its annoying but its a good way to cut down on mindless snacking at the very least for me so its something I do sometimes. Hope its not voodoo

23 points

I spoke with a dental hygienist in a hot tub once (that’s how you know this information is solid). She did say to avoid rinsing or mouthwash after brushing with fluoride toothpaste. She also wasn’t a huge fan of alcohol mouthwash in general as it kills both good and bad bacteria. Too bad because I really do enjoy the “burn” feeling when I use it.

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13 points

I’ve heard both, but I can’t not rinse after brushing. Any taste of actual toothpaste in my mouth is unsettling to me.

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23 points

Just let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then reward yourself by washing it down with a cup of fresh orange juice.

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-5 points

Acid and sugar as a dental hygiene advice. Really?
In this context you might as well recommend a Coca Cola!

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4 points

I was told by my dental hygienist that although you shouldn’t rinse after brushing, you can spit as many times as you want. Your saliva isn’t going to be able to totally rinse off the fluoride the way water will. IME it usually only takes a few extra spits to get from overwhelmingly minty to present but bearable.

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2 points

It still irks me. I guess it’s just me having rinsed my entire life.

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4 points

I got a sensodyne toothpaste recently that doesn’t have that overwhelming toothpaste taste. It’s the nourish stuff and its flavor is “natural mint and citrus oil”, and it’s mostly not the mint that I taste. It was super weird for a few days, but I strongly prefer it over toothpaste flavored toothpaste.

Maybe something like that would work better for you, as well.

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4 points

You get used to it after a while. The taste of the toothpaste subsides pretty quickly as well, so it’s not like an extended period of suffering.

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12 points
*

Rinsing with salt water seems to work well for me. I have no idea what the science says about it though. But there is some talk in new treatments about ionizing stimulating healing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if salt water does a bit of that too.?
I also wouldn’t be surprised if it helps remineralize. Very subjectively it feels like it does a little, but it’s easy to fool oneself with wishful thinking. Preferably have a dentist monitor results.

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6 points

My hygienist recommended that I use salt water instead of mouthwash, so I’d think you’re probably barking up the right tree

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3 points

I am allergic to some types of mouthwash so I was told to use salt water but not as often as you’d use regular mouthwash (only every few days) because it’s rougher on your teeth or some such, I can’t remember the reasoning.

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1 point
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15 points
*

Electric toothbrush. The hygenist often says she can tell I tell I take care of my teeth, but really, I usually only brush and floss once a day.

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3 points

Is there a concern about using it too soon after eating and it wearing away enamel or the teeth mechanically? Particularly acidic stuff which i tend to limit but that notion’s been a bit of a procedural lodestar for me when it comes to, like, which kind of + toothbrush I use

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6 points
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I used an e-brush for all my life and only got cavities from lack of brushing and being negligent.

But you shouldn’t brush right after eating.
Eat something, wait 30min, then brush.
That’s how I do it for breakfast.

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6 points

I thought I heard something about that but I don’t really know. The main thing with electric brushes is that you should brush gently and slowly. Let the brush do most of the work.

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7 points

You can get electric tooth brushes that will turn a red alert light on if you push too hard. Wearing down your teeth by an electric toothbrush is not more of a concern than using a manual one.

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2 points

Its probably more of an irrational fear of mine tbh

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44 points
*

Get an electric toothbrush. Don’t push hard, just slowly move it and hold it gently against your teeth / gums in each spot.

If you hate flossing like I do, a waterpik is helpful.

Brush twice a day.

Don’t rinse after brushing like you said.

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7 points

Waterpik is nifty, but I found a solution that works well in conjunction with it, but without the frustration of flossing . Gum Proxabrush are little brushes that go between your teeth to scrub out the gunk. My hygienist was saying they work better than floss. I’ve really liked them.

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10 points

My teeth are so tight I can sometimes barely get floss down between them. A brush would have no chance of cleaning the whole sides of the teeth.

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8 points

You may already know, but Glide by oralb is great for tight teeth. It’s flatter and slippery. The only issue I’ve found is that it snaps more often.

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4 points
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Doesn’t the WaterPik sort of negate the don’t rinse thing, or are you saying less is more in terms of water getting in the way of remineralization and you net benefit from using that for flossing. I definitely prefer it over physical floss

Use flosser first, THEN brush without rinsing. Got it 😁

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13 points

You can do the WaterPik before brushing and then don’t rinse after brushing.

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7 points

Waterpik is not a replacement for flossing, fyi

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5 points

No but it’s better than nothing.

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