Today, I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning, only to find out that I had been brushing my teeth wrong for years. He told me you're supposed to let the toothpaste do its magic instead of rinsing it off. Is this true? FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, my boyfriend thinks he's discovered a big conspiracy by dentists to sell toothpaste. He's arguing that nobody needs to brush their teeth, ever, because all the "new plaque" from food will dissolve the "old plaque", and the only thing he needs to use is breath spray. FML
Today, my dentist told me I have a cavity and blamed it on the "subpar" toothpaste I've been using - the same toothpaste he recommended six months ago at my last appointment. FML
Today, after a childhood of battling bad teeth and cavities, I'm an overzealous brusher. I found out that I have cavities in all quadrants of my mouth from over-brushing, which will need multiple appointments to fill. FML
Today, I went to my new dentist to get my teeth cleaned. He kept getting distracted, causing him to repeatedly stab me in the gums. He then had the nerve to tell me that I need to brush more, due to how I was bleeding just from his "routine examination". FML
Today, like every morning, I washed my mouthguard with bar soap. Tonight, though, I realized I hadn’t rinsed as well as I should have, there's soap between my teeth. FML
Today, I was able to get dental care for the first time in 4 years. I had been going through all the hygiene motions, but without professional input all that time, no one was there to warn me about the sour candies I had been eating, and how they ruined your teeth anyway. My teeth are well beyond salvageable now. FML
Today, I went to the dentist, telling him proudly that I had flossed for two straight weeks. The dentist told me that flossing wouldn't undo “Whatever happened back there.” FML
Today, I found out my whole family has been mistakenly using the same toothbrush for over a month. FML
Today, I realised my teeth are so stained that they look cleaner when I've not brushed them. FML
Today, my teeth feel dirty. Just go brush them, right? Actually, I just did. Thoroughly and meticulously, for several minutes, until both my arm and my gums hurt. Yep, still feel dirty. FML
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Top comments
RichardPencil 32
No. He's confusing toothpaste for hair conditioner. That's a mistake almost anyone can make, except a dentist. Get a new one.
Becky Samuel 6
Why is everyone so confident about posting incorrect information? Every one of these comments is wrong. You shouldn't rinse your teeth after brushing because you rinse off the active ingredients.
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Comments (11)
RichardPencil 32
No. He's confusing toothpaste for hair conditioner. That's a mistake almost anyone can make, except a dentist. Get a new one.
Anderling 33
The opposite is true as far as I’m aware. Grown-up toothpaste is made with higher fluoride levels than kiddie toothpaste because kids can’t be relied on to rinse properly and fluoride in too high concentrations can cause health issues. Maybe in your specific area or for your specific teeth it might be more beneficial to leave it on?
JackWood 21
It's OK to rinse. It's better to just spit out what you have in your mouth or do light rinse and leave a little to coat your teeth.
HayNow 11
Never heard that from any dentist.
Becky Samuel 6
Why is everyone so confident about posting incorrect information? Every one of these comments is wrong. You shouldn't rinse your teeth after brushing because you rinse off the active ingredients.
SirEnigM0nk 22
Source?
Becky Samuel 6
Try the NHS website. It has nice clear guidelines on toothbrushing that clearly state that you should avoid rinsing.
Nikki 17
Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/#:~:text=Don't%20rinse%20with%20water,and%20reduces%20its%20preventative%20effects.
Sdog 6
I just learned this too. Don’t rinse off (just spit I think) at least for the brush before bed. Daytime rinse if you are going to eat soon. Not sure if this is new or we were not taught properly as kids.
Hangryko 32
My understanding is that if you brush your teeth under the recommended minimum of two minutes, which is not enough time for the fluoride to work, don't rinse. If you brush for two minutes or longer, you can rinse.
justchlc 20
Haven’t heard that about toothpaste, but you are supposed to let mouthwash sit on your teeth so the fluoride can help strengthen them. You can spit it out, just don’t rinse.
Yudith 28
Most dentists will tell you that you brush your teeth wrong if they see even a hint of cavity in your mouth. Don't worry. Just keep brushing your teeth and you'll be fine.
FluffythePink 23
I found this out recently as well. Apparently you are supposed to spit but leave the fluoride to work on your teeth for as long as possible. Rinsing straight after brushing makes the fluoride utterly useless. I was also told to use mouth wash about 5 mins before brushing as well, never after brushing, especially at night. The dentist said she sees people with perfect dental routines but who still develop cavities because they've never actually let the fluoride do it's job beyond the brushing...