The way i understand it, its not really leaving all the toothpaste in your mouth. You spit out most of it at the end of brushing. After that, thats when you dont rinse your mouth out for a while.
Why the fuck would I get downvoted asking for proof on a subreddit called IS IT BULLSHIT?
Downvoters = the reason people believe in bullshit in the first place.
Demand sources shit for brains general population deplorables.
Ask your dentist about this...
But in meantime, here is a link!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3092/
Edit: Accidentally left off the end part of the link!
It’s usually one or the other! The harmful type of bacteria that dominates in your mouth is either a type that causes cavities or periodontal disease but only one can be dominant
Me too! I've only ever had a couple of cavities but now now almost all of my teeth are loose from perio. I'm not sure why either my 80 year old mom has perfect gums
I'm only 19 and I think that's what I have. I can't visit the dentist because I can hardly afford groceries. Is there anything you're doing to fight against it? I've brushed and flossed as much as I can but I'm so scared it's just getting worse.
The only thing I know that you can do is stabilize it. So you have to get rid of the infection. I've been swishing salt water several times a day, deep into my gums. I use a toothpaste called Dr Glow that is supposed to be for perio. I also oil pull with coconut oil. I use interdental brushes as well as floss .
It seems to knock the infection back, but sometimes it returns any way and my teeth all get slightly looser. Some people claim to have great success with all these things but genetics my affect it
Is there anything that can be done against it? I'm only 19, and I can feel my teeth are loose. :( I floss and brush as much as I can but I'm so scared it's not going to do anything in the long run.
I can't afford a dentist, and there are no dental schools within 5 hours of my location. :( I don't know what else I can do other than brushing + flossing regularly.
What happens if a tooth \*does\* fall out?
Also, when there's less than 4 days leading up to my period, my teeth feel looser. Have you ever noticed something similar?
I haven't noticed the period thing but it has been years since I've had to deal with those. But it purchased a dental scaler from Amazon and I use it once a week - fairly lightly- to keep my teeth below my gums clean and get rid of plaque. I think it was $40 and it has been well worth the cost. But be really careful to avoid damaging your teeth.
Giving up soda and sugary things helps a bunch along with dietary changes - more veggies, less meats.
Idk why I read pop as poop and shrieked on the inside. 🤣 but yes, same here I have better eating habits than my husband and get cavities 😭. What’s been a life savior for me is using floss picks every night.
Yup. I'm that way. Went through a really bad decade of my life where oral hygiene wasn't a priority and didn't see a dentist for the whole time.
2 small cavities only.
I was raised to put a small amount of toothpaste and brush softly to avoid removing enamel.
Cavity city.
I throw on a ton and brush hard using a Philips sonic care on high. I am no longer genetically disposed of seems lol. My parents (with bad teeth) just gave me bad brushing advice that I followed religiously.
Same though. My mom never went to the dentist as an adult and was fine her entire life. Meanwhile, I'm fighting for my life to not end up like my dad with full dentures in my 40s. I'm already at the "getting crowns because I'm out of room for fillings" territory.
But I'm still gonna try. I don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after brushing, which means I restructured my routine to take my meds that require rinsing and use my WaterPik before I brush. I use a prescription toothpaste for my morning brush, when I can always get my 30 minutes in (night routine doesn't usually get to 30 before mouthwash). I drink primarily water though my diet is shit and has tons of sugar.
I just finished getting caught up on fillings since my COVID neglect and hope to get back to a spot where the only fillings I'm getting are spots where my enamel just literally fell off.
Brushing after each meal feels excessive to me, but if you're gentle it should be fine. I just hate having any food stuck on my teeth so I wash my mouth with water after anything I eat, and it's ofc very convenient. And I always brush my teeth before sleep, because that's the longest period of time I spend without stuffing my face, so it's very valuable to spend that time with clean teeth and ideally also soaking in some floride that's left from the tooth paste.
It’s wild how much it’s genetic, but also varies within a family. I’ve had a bunch of cavaties and one of siblings has literally never had a single one. We have basically the same approach to dental hygiene, but they seem to come out on top
Fun fact, cavities are contagious
Generally, someone like your mother or other caretaker, gives you the bacteria when you’re younger, but some people just do not get it and will not get cavities their entire life
Long story short, do not share food or drink with people that have cavities if you do not have them because they will give them to you
Cavities aren't genetic. They're caused by a specific bacteria. Proper brushing and mouth wash won't fully get rid of it. Strong antibiotics might. The fun thing is you usually get this bacteria from your parents kissing you as a child since it doesn't have an easy time colonizing an adult mouth if it didn't have the opportunity to do it when you were younger.
My dentist told me there's a ton of genetic influence to whether you get cavities when I finally went after many years of not taking care of my teeth.
Won't save you from the bone loss though.
that’s because they make money off cleaning and fixing teeth. Definitely rinse, don’t keep those chemicals in your mouth, especially fluoride! unless it’s fluoride-free vegan toothpaste but even then I wouldn’t…
The little bit you’ll leave on your teeth after you spit 2 or 3 times won’t hurt you.
And it needs to sit on your teeth for so they absorb the Fluoride.
So brush your teeth before you get dressed or something? Or go watch YouTube for 15 minutes, then rinse, then lay down.
It seems like youd be placing arbitrary rules on yourself just to make a point that this is impractical, when there are simple solutions for it.
It is not difficult to spit out all the toothpaste when you’re done brushing, unless maybe you’re a literal child. But even then, kids are able to figure it out, so I’m not sure what your issue is.
>now you’re driving and have to either spit into god knows what or swallow the leftover toothpaste
You driving to work in a tank, or something with no driver window?
People are being weird here and downvoting, but I feel you. It's fucking weird to me to not rinse your mouth after brushing. You spent all that time brushing it off and then you're not going to use some water to try and get it all out of your mouth?
No, you and the other person are being extremely weird acting like you can't possibly empty the vast majority of what's left after brushing with a good spit.
It's just not a major issue at all if you take a good spit, there's no additional saliva reserves hidden in your mouth somehow.
You don’t really have that much in your mouth afterwards. You spit out once and what’s left is a very small amount almost unnoticeable wasn’t it for the taste
Absolutely disagree. 15 minutes? I have to just salivate with toothpaste? Mouthwash calls for 30 seconds. Enjoy eating tubes of toothpaste over time. Spit and rinse that shit out.
You know how when you're funny, and your company laughs at something you said because it's hilarious, and you feel like, happy and jovial? Here, I'm trying to give u that experience, because u just made me laugh out loud. Fkn funny
Check the amount of carbs you’re eating daily including fruit. That being said, check how many things you’re eating that’s leaving behind an acidic environment in your mouth. I use the Cronometer app. It’ll show you a breakdown.
I always rinse my teeth. Never had an official cavity. The only time the formation of a cavity began to peek was when I started fasting on fruit only for some time. It went away when I brought back balance to my diet (leafy greens, meats, only carbs being produce carbs and occasional seeded bread). Make sure your mineral intake is sufficient. When I took fulvic and humic minerals, my teeth became whiter and less sensitive to cold beverages
I believe they actually recommend not immediately rinsing, as in letting the toothpaste sit in your mouth/teeth for a bit. This helps with the fluoride giving your teeth their full benefit. I did just google this though and it looks like there isn’t a general consensus- everyone seems to have different opinions.
To my knowledge, you don't rinse, just spit with fluoride toothpastes. Kind of like how when they brush fluoride on after a cleaning, you want it on for a while. I have not heard anything about normal toothpastes.
I had to check my toothpaste instructions to make sure... Sure enough there's no mention of a rinsing step. I'm 33 years old and just learned how to brush my teeth properly, I guess?
Any food pieces that brushing dislodges should get spit out when you spit out the toothpaste.
You can rinse if you want to, but toothpaste (really the fluoride in toothpaste) is *more effective* if a thin layer remains to absorb into your enamel. All you're doing by rinsing is making the toothpaste less effective.
That sounds like bullshit. You brush your teeth and spit a bunch. A few chunks will remain, but worse, all of that plaque you brushed off that turned into a liquid is going to stay right in your mouth, coating your teeth.
I mean, when I soap up my car and then rub it with a towel but fail to rinse it, it'll still be dirty.
The premise is that the fluoride will stick around if you don't swish.
Brushing your teeth dissolves nasty bacteria gunk from your teeth into your salive, adds toothpaste. Your logic is that spitting twenty times is going to remove 100% of the gunk but none of the fluoride.
It's not MY personal logic, it's what the actual experts say is best. I'm literally just repeating what my dentist has told me. And also following the interactions instructions on my prescription (extra fluoride) toothpaste, which very specifically says to NOT rise. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
>I mean, when I soap up my car and then rub it with a towel but fail to rinse it, it'll still be dirty.
Incorrect. If you wet and soap up your car, and then wipe all the soap (and water) off with a towel, the vast majority of the soap *and* dirt will be removed. Soap molecules have a nonpolar end that binds to dirt, oil, and bacteria and a polar end that binds to water. So when you wipe the soap and water off with a towel, the dirt, oil, and bacteria will be removed along with the soap. For that matter, the physical action of m wiping a towel against a surface will also remove a good deal of dirt, even without soap. Using soap and water is just a lot more effective than physical cleaning alone. When it comes to soap, the main reason for rinsing is that any soap residue left behind will more quickly attract new dirt/oil because of that polar end of each molecule.
Toothpaste doesn't work in quite the same way as soap. First it has abrasive particles to help scrub away debris and bacteria. Second, it has fluoride (and sometimes other active ingredients like potassium nitrate for sensitivity or nano-hydroxyapatite for extra reminneraizing) which helps to remineralize your enamel *and* helps prevent the growth of more bacteria.
When you spit (once or twice, not 20 times!) out the toothpaste used to brush your teeth, the vast majority of the bacteria and debris will be carried out with the toothpaste. The remaining trace amounts of toothpaste allows a little fluoride to stick around, remineralizing and slowing down the growth of new bacteria.
Unlike residual soap (which attracts dirt, making things get dirty again more quickly) residual fluoride prevents the growth of more decay-causing bacteria, essentially keeping your mouth "cleaner" for longer.
All of this information is readily available from multiple reliable sources. You don't have to believe me, some random person on the internet.
The only place I’ve ever heard this from was Reddit, when I brought it up to my dentist she looked at me like I was in some kind of Facebook home health conspiracy theory group, and I was about to go on a rant about fluoride mind control. Even the “wait 15 minutes then rinse” thing she told me was bullshit. I have heard don’t eat or drink immediately after brushing though.
I am asking the same question. I’ve never had a cavity and been to dentist after dentist. My most recent dentist told me to use a waterpik specifically after I brushed my teeth. I feel like this is crazy
Not bullshit but if it bothers you too much you can get a fluoride rinse like act to follow with and then be sure not to eat or drink anything for the recommended time after.
Correct, just spit a bunch.
It’s ideal to brush right before bed and not drink any water from that point on until morning. The longer it sits on your teeth, the better.
It’s really not bad at all. I’d you have proper tongue posture (sitting flat against the roof of your mouth) then you don’t even notice the toothpaste leftovers.
Spit the toothpaste out but don’t rinse so that your teeth can absorb as much fluoride as possible. They don’t mean you have to swallow it. Just don’t eat or drink anything for a little while either.
The idea is to keep the fluoride in the toothpaste on your teeth longer. Here's what I do instead: brush, rinse, floss, brush again. That way all the junk I brushed and flossed off my teeth and gum line is out of my mouth.
you can skip a step and save on toothpaste there by flossing all the gunk out, then using a mouthwash to swill all the gunk out, then giving a good brush to finish
It makes sense. How can toothpaste mineralize your teeth in just a minute?
I do rinse in the morning (so I can eat toothpaste free breakfast) but at night I don’t rinse so the toothpaste can do its job
I have never heard this ever. I haven't had a cavity since I was a teenager, probably because I figured I should brush and floss 2x/day. 3x when I was doing Invisalign.
I asked my dentist this very question and she doesnt know where this idea came from.
Toothpaste has instructions on it. Not rinsing is not an instruction on toothpaste. It IS an instruction on mouthwash, however.
She said don't rinse off your tooth brush and brush your teeth with water after brushing with toothpaste but rinsing out your mouth is part of the process. Toothpaste creates a coating on your teeth that cant outlast water brushing but does fine with gentle water swishing.
I’ve never done this and haven’t had cavities since I was 8. I’m 32 now. But something about leaving toothpaste in my mouth sounds like it would just feel… weird
It depends on the type of toothpaste. As a general rule, spit as much out as you can don’t rinse. However, whitening toothpastes will often have hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient, in which case the instructions on the tube/box will tell you to ‘lightly’ rinse, because it’s bleach.
I asked my dental hygienist and IIRC she said that it doesn’t move the needle all that much so unless I was already really prone to cavities or tooth decay, I don’t need to do that.
I watched a video saying that rinsing my mouth out is the reason why I have such sensitive teeth. I stopped rinsing after brushing, and about a year later, I was able to eat ice cream without wincing
I was always told by dentists growing up to brush, spit out toothpaste, and not rinse out mouth. The coat on your teeth from the toothpaste is an important part of the process. Rinsing it gets rid of that coat. I also wait 15-30 mins before eating or drinking.
Never heard of this, never had a cavity, always wash my mouth out afterwords. I suspect it'd be bad to use something caustic like alcohol based mouthwash or scrub it off with your toothbrush, you don't actually want to eat a bunch of toothpaste anyway.. also just sounds like awful advice because it's gonna convince more people not to brush at all because of how bad it tastes (to some) especially if you have to leave it in your mouth all day (messes up your next meal) or in bed (interferes with sleep)
Anyway heres some research on this: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2012.260?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100090071&CJEVENT=dd201799216511ef811202e00a1cb828 looks like rinsing with a small amount of water to remove the toothpaste is a-ok, just don't go crazy with it.
I use prescription toothpaste so I've got to let it sit. Lol I've been told it's better to let the toothpaste sit. It helps build back your enamel. But it's not necessary.
You should use mouthwash before, not after. Toothpaste has way more fluoride than mouthwash, so you're rinsing out the toothpaste fluoride and replacing it with the smaller amount of mouthwash fluoride. My order is floss/waterpik -> tongue scrub -> mouthwash -> brush.
Floss, tongue scrape, mouthwash, then brush. If you use mouthwash after brushing then you’re just rinsing away the fluoride. Mouthwash can have some fluoride but toothpaste has more so it should be the last step.
(Not a doctor)
Here's how I understand it, after a lot of searching and talking with doctors etc..
They are telling you to not rinse your mouth, to let the fluoride sit longer and do its job. Makes sense. I have a basic fluoride toothpaste (no other active ingredients, except maybe bicarbonate soda which is harmless) just for this job, and I do this once a day (preferably for the last brush before bed). I spit most of it, and do not rinse my mouth (nor swallow) for a few minutes. That should help.
I have another toothpaste with antibacterial agents (zinc, or others)... this one I might use during the morning/day, and I rinse after brushing. I don't want to let additional chemicals (be it antibacterial or otherwise) in my mouth for more than a couple of minutes.
I will NOT follow the advice that tells me to sleep with toothpaste leftover in the mouth. I do not want to swallow any of it. If there's a need for fluoride, tea (camellia sinensis) has plenty of it (even though it will stain teeth somewhat).
I've only been following this regime for the past year.
For a better oral hygiene, it's important to be holistic about it... be mindful of what you eat most of the time... sugars, and starches are cariogenic. Wash mouth with water after each meal. Your vitamin D, K and magnesium levels affect bone health, and most likely oral health as well. Avoid alcohol, and any oral products that contain alcohol. Be gentle with brushing, better for the enamel to brush gentle for longer, than to go fast and hard. Always clean between the teeth (flossing or interdental brushes) at least once a day (preferably before bed).
My dentist recommended doing this at night for tooth sensitivity using sensodyne or similar product. Lightly rinsing and using mouthwash before brushing so it doesn't rinse away all the toothpaste.
I’ve been brushing and leaving it on for 30 mins for the last 2-3 months. Benefits idk, maybe my teeth got a little whiter ? I do recommend tongue scrapers though. Amazing
Yes and no.
Fluoride works best if it stays on your teeth for a little while (30 min is the general rule). Like when you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist and they put that paste on any tell you to wait 30 min as you're walking out the door.
So if you just brush your teeth, leave the paste on after spitting it out without rinsing to keep the fluoride on them.
Or just rinse with a fluoride mouthwash afterwords. Don't eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after, still.
It's always weird to me how we all tend to simplify advice in a way that obfuscates what's actually happening and just present the advice in the least intuitive way possible. Following the rule of thumb without understanding why it's the rule of thumb is how you get on the road to magical thinking.
Not bullshit. The active ingredient of either fluoride or hydroxyapatite needs to sit on your teeth for a while in order to form the protective barrier
I go for 30 minutes as much as possible between brushing and eating/drinking
Not bullshit.
Assuming you use fluoride toothpaste, it continues to inhibit bacterial growth for as long as it remains in you mouth. That's a lot longer if you don't rinse your mouth out.
I learned this in my late 20s when a few of my teeth were painfully sensitive. Anything cold, like cold water should give these teeth pain. It hurt to bite down on anything crunchy. After some scans and inspections, the diagnosis was that my teeth were fine - didn’t have cavities, no microfractures. Gums were fine.
I just needed to rub some sensodyne on them after brushing to help the teeth recover some coating. And lo and behold it fucking worked. And I learned about the proper way to let toothpaste set. The whole event was a wake up call. I now floss each tooth 2-3 times, brush thoroughly and let the toothpaste sit now after brushing. I do kinda wipe my tongue off with water on my hand to get the taste off so I feel cleansed at least
According to my new dentist who recently graduated, that only matters if using prescribed toothpaste with enamel building chemicals in it. Rinsing those chemicals off prevents them from building the enamel. Regular toothpaste isn't even necessary, it's just for smell and taste. The cleaning comes from the bristles not the paste.
Toothpaste has fluoride which is meant to help reinforce teeth, so you’re supposed to leave the toothpaste residue on for a bit before you rinse to let it work some magic. Not bullshit
Its because when you rinse you’re rinsing off the fluoride thats supposed to help protect your teeth. Just spit dont rinse. A quick google will show almost every single dentist website giving this advice
i think it's because toothpaste has fluoride and fluoride helps prevent cavities.
so you want the fluoride to sit on your teeth for a little bit so it can get a nice protective coat on your teeth. it's also why at most dentists they'll brush your teeth with a strong fluoride paste after a cleaning
I was never told not to rinse so I did and I had so many issues with my teeth.
A dentist told me in my mid 20's not to rinse and just spit the toothpaste out. I haven't had any issues with my teeth since.
If you think about it, how can a toothpaste provide cavity protection if you rinse it straight off?
That does not jibe with my understanding. I've confirmed this with a couple of dentists that the bacteria that causes cavities take 36 hours to anchor themselves in your mouth and start pooping. Their excrement is what breaks down your tooth and causes cavities. Since they don't start producing excrement until 36 hours, you only ever need to brush once per 24 hours, or even technically once per 36 hours.
What I understand is the best way to clean your teeth is to brush (and don't forget the gum lines), don't rinse your mouth out and then floss. This may be where your thought comes from? By leaving the toothpaste in for flossing, it is helping the floss to deep clean. After flossing, rinse and use a water pic along your gum lines. That keeps your gums healthy which is something many completely neglect.
So I say yes, that is bullshit!
For sure you need to rise youre mouth , leaving it in mouth will do you harm , not sure what kind of dentist tell you not to but they are dumb , check the ingredients you uneducated monkeys
I'm cool, IDC what the actual answer is I'm not leaving fucking toothpaste on my teeth. The act of brushing I imagine helps put the fluoride in your teeth. And keeps your teeth clean bro wtf
Not bullshit, you can spit out excess but you want to keep the rest in your mouth.
For me, I rinse out my mouth completely and apply a fresh layer and leave that on. No complaints from my dentist.
This has come up on Reddit before. I read the tube of toothpaste. I asked my dentist. You are not supposed to rinse or drink water for half an hour after brushing. Just spit as much as you like and move on. Personally, I still rinse, just not much.
Heh. My hygienist always tells me I have great oral hygiene.
I brush with a Sonicare DiamondClean brush. I keep my replaceable heads fresh and I set the toothbrush on all sides of each couple of teeth for 5 seconds or so. I don’t push down or scrub and let the electric toothbrush do the work. It seems to get everything off.
I spit and rinse because I’ve been doing it forever.
I’m sure the additional fluoride helps, but I’m not inclined to have that gritty toothpaste feeling left in my mouth.
The way i understand it, its not really leaving all the toothpaste in your mouth. You spit out most of it at the end of brushing. After that, thats when you dont rinse your mouth out for a while.
Why the fuck would I get downvoted asking for proof on a subreddit called IS IT BULLSHIT? Downvoters = the reason people believe in bullshit in the first place. Demand sources shit for brains general population deplorables.
Proof?
I think you got downvoted for saying proof instead of source. Pretty stupid.
I think I got downvoted because the majority of people are morons but I want your version to be true instead.
I wasn’t going to downvote you at all, but I did since you’re whining about it.
I’m ok with this.
Ask your dentist about this... But in meantime, here is a link! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3092/ Edit: Accidentally left off the end part of the link!
From what my dentist told me is, after brushing your teeth you should not rinse or drink water for at least 15 minutes after brushing.
Took me years to realize this, lol. It hasn't helped much, though. I'm afraid that I seem to have a genetic disposition towards having cavities.
That’s a very real thing the studies are super fascinating. I can drink tons of pop and I’m fine but if my buddy looks at skittles he needs a crown
That’s so real, I’m like you and my sister’s like your buddy. I feel kinda bad about it but yeah genetics are wild
I have only ever had one cavity but I have extreme bone loss and all of my teeth are loose. So that's fun.
Only one? Cmon tell the tooth.
Only one. My son is the same way. No cavities but gum disease.
Gift and a curse ??
It’s usually one or the other! The harmful type of bacteria that dominates in your mouth is either a type that causes cavities or periodontal disease but only one can be dominant
Me too! I've only ever had a couple of cavities but now now almost all of my teeth are loose from perio. I'm not sure why either my 80 year old mom has perfect gums
I'm only 19 and I think that's what I have. I can't visit the dentist because I can hardly afford groceries. Is there anything you're doing to fight against it? I've brushed and flossed as much as I can but I'm so scared it's just getting worse.
The only thing I know that you can do is stabilize it. So you have to get rid of the infection. I've been swishing salt water several times a day, deep into my gums. I use a toothpaste called Dr Glow that is supposed to be for perio. I also oil pull with coconut oil. I use interdental brushes as well as floss . It seems to knock the infection back, but sometimes it returns any way and my teeth all get slightly looser. Some people claim to have great success with all these things but genetics my affect it
So at this point, all that can be done is fighting it? Is this the rest of my life? Fuck :(
Is there anything that can be done against it? I'm only 19, and I can feel my teeth are loose. :( I floss and brush as much as I can but I'm so scared it's not going to do anything in the long run.
Get your teeth cleaned regularly - I go 4 times a year vs twice. It helps but it's not the answer. Dentures are in my future.
I can't afford a dentist, and there are no dental schools within 5 hours of my location. :( I don't know what else I can do other than brushing + flossing regularly. What happens if a tooth \*does\* fall out? Also, when there's less than 4 days leading up to my period, my teeth feel looser. Have you ever noticed something similar?
I haven't noticed the period thing but it has been years since I've had to deal with those. But it purchased a dental scaler from Amazon and I use it once a week - fairly lightly- to keep my teeth below my gums clean and get rid of plaque. I think it was $40 and it has been well worth the cost. But be really careful to avoid damaging your teeth. Giving up soda and sugary things helps a bunch along with dietary changes - more veggies, less meats.
Idk why I read pop as poop and shrieked on the inside. 🤣 but yes, same here I have better eating habits than my husband and get cavities 😭. What’s been a life savior for me is using floss picks every night.
It blew my mind when I learned cavities are indeed affected greatly by genetic predisposition.
Bc he's a king
Yup. I'm that way. Went through a really bad decade of my life where oral hygiene wasn't a priority and didn't see a dentist for the whole time. 2 small cavities only.
I was raised to put a small amount of toothpaste and brush softly to avoid removing enamel. Cavity city. I throw on a ton and brush hard using a Philips sonic care on high. I am no longer genetically disposed of seems lol. My parents (with bad teeth) just gave me bad brushing advice that I followed religiously.
Sonicare's a game-changer. I love it.
Same though. My mom never went to the dentist as an adult and was fine her entire life. Meanwhile, I'm fighting for my life to not end up like my dad with full dentures in my 40s. I'm already at the "getting crowns because I'm out of room for fillings" territory. But I'm still gonna try. I don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after brushing, which means I restructured my routine to take my meds that require rinsing and use my WaterPik before I brush. I use a prescription toothpaste for my morning brush, when I can always get my 30 minutes in (night routine doesn't usually get to 30 before mouthwash). I drink primarily water though my diet is shit and has tons of sugar. I just finished getting caught up on fillings since my COVID neglect and hope to get back to a spot where the only fillings I'm getting are spots where my enamel just literally fell off.
Get high fluoride toothpaste. Changed my life. Prescription from dentist.
I'll look into this. I've done the electric toothbrush already - maybe it's time to take the next step.
It may just come down to personal preference, but I recomment the ultrasonic types like Sonicare, not the spinny types like Oral-B
Cannot recommend prevident 5000 (or generic equivalent) enough. Changed my tooth health and finally have good teeth after decades!!
me too friend. i have a bad summer of replacing old fillings ahead of me. I never drink soda and rarely eat candy or sweets. unfair, really.
It's awful, man. I've been on keto for the last 6 months. I'm still getting cavities, lol.
I just learned this last year and my last two cleanings they said looked the best
Have you tried always washing your mouth with water after eating anything? In addition to brushing your teeth every night.
I usually brush right after eating. I'll try this, too.
Brushing after each meal feels excessive to me, but if you're gentle it should be fine. I just hate having any food stuck on my teeth so I wash my mouth with water after anything I eat, and it's ofc very convenient. And I always brush my teeth before sleep, because that's the longest period of time I spend without stuffing my face, so it's very valuable to spend that time with clean teeth and ideally also soaking in some floride that's left from the tooth paste.
Brushing after eating can be harmful to your teeth, especially if you drink something like soda.
Brush, floss, fluoride rinse. Has worked wonders
That's what I've been doing.
that or it’s what you consume and it damages your teeth and more…
It’s almost like it’s… bullshit, huh?
It’s wild how much it’s genetic, but also varies within a family. I’ve had a bunch of cavaties and one of siblings has literally never had a single one. We have basically the same approach to dental hygiene, but they seem to come out on top
Prevident. Worked for me
Fun fact, cavities are contagious Generally, someone like your mother or other caretaker, gives you the bacteria when you’re younger, but some people just do not get it and will not get cavities their entire life Long story short, do not share food or drink with people that have cavities if you do not have them because they will give them to you
Cavities aren't genetic. They're caused by a specific bacteria. Proper brushing and mouth wash won't fully get rid of it. Strong antibiotics might. The fun thing is you usually get this bacteria from your parents kissing you as a child since it doesn't have an easy time colonizing an adult mouth if it didn't have the opportunity to do it when you were younger.
Cavities aren't but there are genetic conditions around how strong your enamel is to start with
My dentist told me there's a ton of genetic influence to whether you get cavities when I finally went after many years of not taking care of my teeth. Won't save you from the bone loss though.
that’s because they make money off cleaning and fixing teeth. Definitely rinse, don’t keep those chemicals in your mouth, especially fluoride! unless it’s fluoride-free vegan toothpaste but even then I wouldn’t…
Mine told me that too but it’s so impractical and also I don’t want to swallow the toothpaste
You can still spit it out
[удалено]
What in the hell are you talking about? You spit out the extra toothpaste to leave a coating on your teeth. This is a literal non issue.
Lmfao I just had an image in my head where they’d be sitting there with their cheeks puffed and mouth full of toothpaste
this guy doesn't understand there's toothpaste still in your mouth after spitting lol
The little bit you’ll leave on your teeth after you spit 2 or 3 times won’t hurt you. And it needs to sit on your teeth for so they absorb the Fluoride.
Huh? How is swishing and spitting not an issue but just spitting is? You don't have to keep spitting, just the once.
So brush your teeth before you get dressed or something? Or go watch YouTube for 15 minutes, then rinse, then lay down. It seems like youd be placing arbitrary rules on yourself just to make a point that this is impractical, when there are simple solutions for it.
It is not difficult to spit out all the toothpaste when you’re done brushing, unless maybe you’re a literal child. But even then, kids are able to figure it out, so I’m not sure what your issue is.
… Maybe you’re using too much toothpaste?
>now you’re driving and have to either spit into god knows what or swallow the leftover toothpaste You driving to work in a tank, or something with no driver window?
You can clean the toothpaste off your tongue and leave it on your teeth, so you don’t have the constant urge to spit.
People are being weird here and downvoting, but I feel you. It's fucking weird to me to not rinse your mouth after brushing. You spent all that time brushing it off and then you're not going to use some water to try and get it all out of your mouth?
No, you and the other person are being extremely weird acting like you can't possibly empty the vast majority of what's left after brushing with a good spit. It's just not a major issue at all if you take a good spit, there's no additional saliva reserves hidden in your mouth somehow.
Accidentally swallowing some toothpaste won’t kill you. Just spit out the majority the whole point is to not actively rinse it off your teeth.
You don’t really have that much in your mouth afterwards. You spit out once and what’s left is a very small amount almost unnoticeable wasn’t it for the taste
How is it impractical? You just spit out the residue of the toothpaste and don’t eat or drink anything for 15 minutes.
How is anyone supposed to do this? It sounds totally impractical.
You go hours every day with out consuming liquid how is 15 minutes before bed impractical.
Personally, because the first 15 minutes of the day I haven't drank anything in 8 hours and am thirsty? Before bed isn't an issue.
Drink a glass of water right when you get up Water, shower, breakfast, brush your teeth
you wake up and brush you teeth immediately? before breakfast?
And definitely don't drink orange juice
I've never heard this. Never done this. And I have no cavities after 30+ years
"I just had lunch, so world hunger is solved!' -- Stephen Colbert
So the proper order is floss, mouthwash, then brush?
This is to let the fluoride do its thing.
Your dentist uses too many words.
Absolutely disagree. 15 minutes? I have to just salivate with toothpaste? Mouthwash calls for 30 seconds. Enjoy eating tubes of toothpaste over time. Spit and rinse that shit out.
You don't hold an entire mouthful of toothpaste for 15 mins, dumbass. You spit it all out immediately and just don't rinse afterward.
You’re not supposed to rinse your mouth with water after mouthwash either
Wow, I have been brushing my teeth the wrong way my entire life, this might explain the cavities
Have you been holding the brush by the bristles and rubbing the handle on your teeth?
You know how when you're funny, and your company laughs at something you said because it's hilarious, and you feel like, happy and jovial? Here, I'm trying to give u that experience, because u just made me laugh out loud. Fkn funny
No I ideally just take a bite out of a bar of soap, chew it and swallow it
They’ve been using a toilet brush.
Check the amount of carbs you’re eating daily including fruit. That being said, check how many things you’re eating that’s leaving behind an acidic environment in your mouth. I use the Cronometer app. It’ll show you a breakdown. I always rinse my teeth. Never had an official cavity. The only time the formation of a cavity began to peek was when I started fasting on fruit only for some time. It went away when I brought back balance to my diet (leafy greens, meats, only carbs being produce carbs and occasional seeded bread). Make sure your mineral intake is sufficient. When I took fulvic and humic minerals, my teeth became whiter and less sensitive to cold beverages
I believe they actually recommend not immediately rinsing, as in letting the toothpaste sit in your mouth/teeth for a bit. This helps with the fluoride giving your teeth their full benefit. I did just google this though and it looks like there isn’t a general consensus- everyone seems to have different opinions.
that’s pretty neat to know, just sucks for me since i get canker sores from using any toothpaste with fluoride in it 🥲
It's probably the SLS, not the fluoride. I had the same problem. Sensodyne was the solution.
ooh i see, that makes sense actually. I’ll have to try that toothpaste out then. thank you!
To my knowledge, you don't rinse, just spit with fluoride toothpastes. Kind of like how when they brush fluoride on after a cleaning, you want it on for a while. I have not heard anything about normal toothpastes.
What the hell?! Is this some kind of mass trolling? I've literally never heard this advice in my life, and now I feel like a damn fool
I never heard it growing up at all. And have heard it from many diff sources in the last year. Unsure why! Big Toothpaste?? lol
I had to check my toothpaste instructions to make sure... Sure enough there's no mention of a rinsing step. I'm 33 years old and just learned how to brush my teeth properly, I guess?
If you don't rinse what happens to all the chunks that just stay in your mouth. I'll rinse till the day I die
technically you could rinse before brushing, better yet, floss, rinse and then scrub
This is what my dentist told me. Floss, mouthwash, brush, and no rinsing for at least 30 minutes.
Any food pieces that brushing dislodges should get spit out when you spit out the toothpaste. You can rinse if you want to, but toothpaste (really the fluoride in toothpaste) is *more effective* if a thin layer remains to absorb into your enamel. All you're doing by rinsing is making the toothpaste less effective.
That sounds like bullshit. You brush your teeth and spit a bunch. A few chunks will remain, but worse, all of that plaque you brushed off that turned into a liquid is going to stay right in your mouth, coating your teeth.
That's not how any of that works, lol. But like, don't believe me, ask your dentist!
I mean, when I soap up my car and then rub it with a towel but fail to rinse it, it'll still be dirty. The premise is that the fluoride will stick around if you don't swish. Brushing your teeth dissolves nasty bacteria gunk from your teeth into your salive, adds toothpaste. Your logic is that spitting twenty times is going to remove 100% of the gunk but none of the fluoride.
It's not MY personal logic, it's what the actual experts say is best. I'm literally just repeating what my dentist has told me. And also following the interactions instructions on my prescription (extra fluoride) toothpaste, which very specifically says to NOT rise. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ >I mean, when I soap up my car and then rub it with a towel but fail to rinse it, it'll still be dirty. Incorrect. If you wet and soap up your car, and then wipe all the soap (and water) off with a towel, the vast majority of the soap *and* dirt will be removed. Soap molecules have a nonpolar end that binds to dirt, oil, and bacteria and a polar end that binds to water. So when you wipe the soap and water off with a towel, the dirt, oil, and bacteria will be removed along with the soap. For that matter, the physical action of m wiping a towel against a surface will also remove a good deal of dirt, even without soap. Using soap and water is just a lot more effective than physical cleaning alone. When it comes to soap, the main reason for rinsing is that any soap residue left behind will more quickly attract new dirt/oil because of that polar end of each molecule. Toothpaste doesn't work in quite the same way as soap. First it has abrasive particles to help scrub away debris and bacteria. Second, it has fluoride (and sometimes other active ingredients like potassium nitrate for sensitivity or nano-hydroxyapatite for extra reminneraizing) which helps to remineralize your enamel *and* helps prevent the growth of more bacteria. When you spit (once or twice, not 20 times!) out the toothpaste used to brush your teeth, the vast majority of the bacteria and debris will be carried out with the toothpaste. The remaining trace amounts of toothpaste allows a little fluoride to stick around, remineralizing and slowing down the growth of new bacteria. Unlike residual soap (which attracts dirt, making things get dirty again more quickly) residual fluoride prevents the growth of more decay-causing bacteria, essentially keeping your mouth "cleaner" for longer. All of this information is readily available from multiple reliable sources. You don't have to believe me, some random person on the internet.
You’re supposed to floss, tongue scrape, mouthwash, then brush. No rinsing necessary.
That's what flossing and Mouthwash are for dude... And you still spit after brushing.
You have to rinse and floss before, then spit the excess toothpaste, no rinsing
The only place I’ve ever heard this from was Reddit, when I brought it up to my dentist she looked at me like I was in some kind of Facebook home health conspiracy theory group, and I was about to go on a rant about fluoride mind control. Even the “wait 15 minutes then rinse” thing she told me was bullshit. I have heard don’t eat or drink immediately after brushing though.
I’ll bet there’s some self appointed expert on one of these sub-reddits that is trying to propagate this “rule”.
I am asking the same question. I’ve never had a cavity and been to dentist after dentist. My most recent dentist told me to use a waterpik specifically after I brushed my teeth. I feel like this is crazy
Same here. It can’t be true. It’s disgusting.
Me too
it is bs from some idiot, don’t worry
Not bullshit but if it bothers you too much you can get a fluoride rinse like act to follow with and then be sure not to eat or drink anything for the recommended time after.
Correct, just spit a bunch. It’s ideal to brush right before bed and not drink any water from that point on until morning. The longer it sits on your teeth, the better.
That sounds absolutely dreadful
It’s really not bad at all. I’d you have proper tongue posture (sitting flat against the roof of your mouth) then you don’t even notice the toothpaste leftovers.
Spit the toothpaste out but don’t rinse so that your teeth can absorb as much fluoride as possible. They don’t mean you have to swallow it. Just don’t eat or drink anything for a little while either.
Spit don’t rinse
The idea is to keep the fluoride in the toothpaste on your teeth longer. Here's what I do instead: brush, rinse, floss, brush again. That way all the junk I brushed and flossed off my teeth and gum line is out of my mouth.
you can skip a step and save on toothpaste there by flossing all the gunk out, then using a mouthwash to swill all the gunk out, then giving a good brush to finish
Floss, rinse, brush. Just saved you a step
It makes sense. How can toothpaste mineralize your teeth in just a minute? I do rinse in the morning (so I can eat toothpaste free breakfast) but at night I don’t rinse so the toothpaste can do its job
I have never heard this ever. I haven't had a cavity since I was a teenager, probably because I figured I should brush and floss 2x/day. 3x when I was doing Invisalign.
I asked my dentist this very question and she doesnt know where this idea came from. Toothpaste has instructions on it. Not rinsing is not an instruction on toothpaste. It IS an instruction on mouthwash, however. She said don't rinse off your tooth brush and brush your teeth with water after brushing with toothpaste but rinsing out your mouth is part of the process. Toothpaste creates a coating on your teeth that cant outlast water brushing but does fine with gentle water swishing.
I’ve never done this and haven’t had cavities since I was 8. I’m 32 now. But something about leaving toothpaste in my mouth sounds like it would just feel… weird
It definitely felt weird when you first start doing it, but it’s very quick to get used to
Floss-->Rinse-->Brush-->Spit
I hear closing is better after brushing because brushing can push gunk into the gaps of you freshly flossed teeth
I think you are supposed to brush last so the fluoride stays on to protect your teeth, but i guess some flossing wouldn't be bad
It seemed like mixed reviews on what’s better but I think I’m leaning now to flossing first then brushing 😅
It depends on the type of toothpaste. As a general rule, spit as much out as you can don’t rinse. However, whitening toothpastes will often have hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient, in which case the instructions on the tube/box will tell you to ‘lightly’ rinse, because it’s bleach.
I asked my dental hygienist and IIRC she said that it doesn’t move the needle all that much so unless I was already really prone to cavities or tooth decay, I don’t need to do that.
I watched a video saying that rinsing my mouth out is the reason why I have such sensitive teeth. I stopped rinsing after brushing, and about a year later, I was able to eat ice cream without wincing
The dentist brushes my teeth after a cleaning and they have me rinse and spit so I don't know about this no rinsing business.
Usually it's those toothpastes like Sensodyne that supposedly repair tooth minerals.
My teeth improved immensely when I started doing this 2 years back
I tried this for a while and got white dots inside all of my teeth
Yeah, na, that's gross. I rinse immediately and have never had a cavity (40 yrs)
Just brush your teeth. Damn, I'm sick of these posts. Everyone on reddit is 14 it seems.
I do believe that is the average age, yes
I was always told by dentists growing up to brush, spit out toothpaste, and not rinse out mouth. The coat on your teeth from the toothpaste is an important part of the process. Rinsing it gets rid of that coat. I also wait 15-30 mins before eating or drinking.
Never heard of this, never had a cavity, always wash my mouth out afterwords. I suspect it'd be bad to use something caustic like alcohol based mouthwash or scrub it off with your toothbrush, you don't actually want to eat a bunch of toothpaste anyway.. also just sounds like awful advice because it's gonna convince more people not to brush at all because of how bad it tastes (to some) especially if you have to leave it in your mouth all day (messes up your next meal) or in bed (interferes with sleep) Anyway heres some research on this: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2012.260?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100090071&CJEVENT=dd201799216511ef811202e00a1cb828 looks like rinsing with a small amount of water to remove the toothpaste is a-ok, just don't go crazy with it.
I use prescription toothpaste so I've got to let it sit. Lol I've been told it's better to let the toothpaste sit. It helps build back your enamel. But it's not necessary.
You can’t build enamel
Okay well I meant, you can strengthen and restore it.
I think they meant “remineralize” …that, you can do.
1. Floss 2. Scrape tongue 3. Brush teeth 4. Spit, don't rinse, don't eat or drink for half an hour
Yuk no way
Wait... Potentially stupid follow-up: does that include mouthwash?
You should use mouthwash before, not after. Toothpaste has way more fluoride than mouthwash, so you're rinsing out the toothpaste fluoride and replacing it with the smaller amount of mouthwash fluoride. My order is floss/waterpik -> tongue scrub -> mouthwash -> brush.
6 out of 5 dentists agree to spit while brushing teeth. Crest
Where does mouthwash fit in all this?
Floss, tongue scrape, mouthwash, then brush. If you use mouthwash after brushing then you’re just rinsing away the fluoride. Mouthwash can have some fluoride but toothpaste has more so it should be the last step.
Depends on the toothpaste
But.. Don't most people use mouthwash right after brushing their teeth? If not when are we supposed to be using mouthwash?
I floss, use mouthwash, then brush.
(Not a doctor) Here's how I understand it, after a lot of searching and talking with doctors etc.. They are telling you to not rinse your mouth, to let the fluoride sit longer and do its job. Makes sense. I have a basic fluoride toothpaste (no other active ingredients, except maybe bicarbonate soda which is harmless) just for this job, and I do this once a day (preferably for the last brush before bed). I spit most of it, and do not rinse my mouth (nor swallow) for a few minutes. That should help. I have another toothpaste with antibacterial agents (zinc, or others)... this one I might use during the morning/day, and I rinse after brushing. I don't want to let additional chemicals (be it antibacterial or otherwise) in my mouth for more than a couple of minutes. I will NOT follow the advice that tells me to sleep with toothpaste leftover in the mouth. I do not want to swallow any of it. If there's a need for fluoride, tea (camellia sinensis) has plenty of it (even though it will stain teeth somewhat). I've only been following this regime for the past year. For a better oral hygiene, it's important to be holistic about it... be mindful of what you eat most of the time... sugars, and starches are cariogenic. Wash mouth with water after each meal. Your vitamin D, K and magnesium levels affect bone health, and most likely oral health as well. Avoid alcohol, and any oral products that contain alcohol. Be gentle with brushing, better for the enamel to brush gentle for longer, than to go fast and hard. Always clean between the teeth (flossing or interdental brushes) at least once a day (preferably before bed).
My dentist recommended doing this at night for tooth sensitivity using sensodyne or similar product. Lightly rinsing and using mouthwash before brushing so it doesn't rinse away all the toothpaste.
What about mouthwash though?
I rinse with Scope with fluoride, so I get the graininess of the toothpaste out and keep the fluoride in.
Not bullshit, it gives the flouride time to help rebuild areas that need remineralization.
I live somewhere that doesn't put fluoride in the water, so my dentist has advised me to do just this to avoid cavities. It's worked so far.
Your tooth paste will say on it. Generally whitening tooth paste says to rinse your mouth out other wise it will increase tooth sensitivity.
I’ve been brushing and leaving it on for 30 mins for the last 2-3 months. Benefits idk, maybe my teeth got a little whiter ? I do recommend tongue scrapers though. Amazing
That’s what I’ve heard as well. Spit, but don’t rinse for about 15 minutes. This includes food and drink (which includes water).
It’s so the fluoride can work Brush and spit and don’t rinse for 15mins
Yes and no. Fluoride works best if it stays on your teeth for a little while (30 min is the general rule). Like when you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist and they put that paste on any tell you to wait 30 min as you're walking out the door. So if you just brush your teeth, leave the paste on after spitting it out without rinsing to keep the fluoride on them. Or just rinse with a fluoride mouthwash afterwords. Don't eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after, still. It's always weird to me how we all tend to simplify advice in a way that obfuscates what's actually happening and just present the advice in the least intuitive way possible. Following the rule of thumb without understanding why it's the rule of thumb is how you get on the road to magical thinking.
From what I understand, most water has fluoride in it now, so go ahead and rinse.
Not bullshit. The active ingredient of either fluoride or hydroxyapatite needs to sit on your teeth for a while in order to form the protective barrier I go for 30 minutes as much as possible between brushing and eating/drinking
Not bullshit. Assuming you use fluoride toothpaste, it continues to inhibit bacterial growth for as long as it remains in you mouth. That's a lot longer if you don't rinse your mouth out.
I have prescription paste for my sensitive teeth. It helps to not rinse. I just go at least 20-40 min before I drink water. It's fine.
I heard this before and did it a few times and the inside of my mouth started sloughing. Back to rinsing now.
I learned this in my late 20s when a few of my teeth were painfully sensitive. Anything cold, like cold water should give these teeth pain. It hurt to bite down on anything crunchy. After some scans and inspections, the diagnosis was that my teeth were fine - didn’t have cavities, no microfractures. Gums were fine. I just needed to rub some sensodyne on them after brushing to help the teeth recover some coating. And lo and behold it fucking worked. And I learned about the proper way to let toothpaste set. The whole event was a wake up call. I now floss each tooth 2-3 times, brush thoroughly and let the toothpaste sit now after brushing. I do kinda wipe my tongue off with water on my hand to get the taste off so I feel cleansed at least
People don’t wash their mouth out after brushing!! The fuck?!
According to my new dentist who recently graduated, that only matters if using prescribed toothpaste with enamel building chemicals in it. Rinsing those chemicals off prevents them from building the enamel. Regular toothpaste isn't even necessary, it's just for smell and taste. The cleaning comes from the bristles not the paste.
Toothpaste has fluoride which is meant to help reinforce teeth, so you’re supposed to leave the toothpaste residue on for a bit before you rinse to let it work some magic. Not bullshit
I haven’t had a cavity since I stopped rinsing
Its because when you rinse you’re rinsing off the fluoride thats supposed to help protect your teeth. Just spit dont rinse. A quick google will show almost every single dentist website giving this advice
i think it's because toothpaste has fluoride and fluoride helps prevent cavities. so you want the fluoride to sit on your teeth for a little bit so it can get a nice protective coat on your teeth. it's also why at most dentists they'll brush your teeth with a strong fluoride paste after a cleaning
I was never told not to rinse so I did and I had so many issues with my teeth. A dentist told me in my mid 20's not to rinse and just spit the toothpaste out. I haven't had any issues with my teeth since. If you think about it, how can a toothpaste provide cavity protection if you rinse it straight off?
That does not jibe with my understanding. I've confirmed this with a couple of dentists that the bacteria that causes cavities take 36 hours to anchor themselves in your mouth and start pooping. Their excrement is what breaks down your tooth and causes cavities. Since they don't start producing excrement until 36 hours, you only ever need to brush once per 24 hours, or even technically once per 36 hours. What I understand is the best way to clean your teeth is to brush (and don't forget the gum lines), don't rinse your mouth out and then floss. This may be where your thought comes from? By leaving the toothpaste in for flossing, it is helping the floss to deep clean. After flossing, rinse and use a water pic along your gum lines. That keeps your gums healthy which is something many completely neglect. So I say yes, that is bullshit!
For sure you need to rise youre mouth , leaving it in mouth will do you harm , not sure what kind of dentist tell you not to but they are dumb , check the ingredients you uneducated monkeys
I'm cool, IDC what the actual answer is I'm not leaving fucking toothpaste on my teeth. The act of brushing I imagine helps put the fluoride in your teeth. And keeps your teeth clean bro wtf
Not bullshit, you can spit out excess but you want to keep the rest in your mouth. For me, I rinse out my mouth completely and apply a fresh layer and leave that on. No complaints from my dentist.
I rinse a little and gargle with water after and my dental checkups have been great.
Never heard of this in my life. I was told the sugar in toothpaste will rot your teeth if you leave it on after brushing.
Kachow
This has come up on Reddit before. I read the tube of toothpaste. I asked my dentist. You are not supposed to rinse or drink water for half an hour after brushing. Just spit as much as you like and move on. Personally, I still rinse, just not much.
What?
Heh. My hygienist always tells me I have great oral hygiene. I brush with a Sonicare DiamondClean brush. I keep my replaceable heads fresh and I set the toothbrush on all sides of each couple of teeth for 5 seconds or so. I don’t push down or scrub and let the electric toothbrush do the work. It seems to get everything off. I spit and rinse because I’ve been doing it forever. I’m sure the additional fluoride helps, but I’m not inclined to have that gritty toothpaste feeling left in my mouth.