“Dentists Hate Him for this One Simple Trick” – an easy click bait post you would likely see as an advertisement somewhere. We’re all guilty of clicking that link at least once or twice, but what if I told you I actually have a really simple trick to help decrease the amount of cavities you get over your lifetime? Well keep on reading because its real and I’ll explain with science how it works:
As We all know- brushing your teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health. But does just putting a tooth brush in your mouth count? No… As our Hygienists Cindy and Kat can explain, you have to brush your teeth properly in order to get all the plaque off the teeth. But what about after you brush (AND FLOSS!)? Well let me get into the nitty gritty:
What is in toothpaste that stops cavities?
We’ve all heard it before….but FLUORIDE! Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in food and water that our bodies can use to strengthen bones and especially teeth. This is the key to help prevent cavities from forming in our teeth. Now that we know it’s good… how do we need to get more of it?
Short answer: No
Long Answer: Kinda?
Let me explain. Like everything in life, too much of a good thing can cause problems. When too much fluoride is ingested, we can get stomach aches, and in children it can cause white spots to form on the adult teeth.
BUT!!
If we have fluoride applied specifically to the areas that need it, we won’t ingest much of it and it won’t have the negatives associated with too much
But how do we get the benefits of fluoride without the negatives?
Ready for it….. TOOTHPASTE!
Most toothpastes with fluoride(don’t cheap out- the higher the % the better!) in it have enough fluoride to effectively prevent cavities.
Now how do we keep it on the teeth?
This is my one simple trick: after you brush your teeth: spit out the foam and the vast majority of toothpaste and then don’t rinse your mouth out with water
I know it sounds counterintuitive… as almost everyone keeps a cup in the sink to rinse out after brushing but trust me: KEEP THE TOOTHPASTE ON YOUR TEETH OVERNIGHT AND YOUR TEETH WILL ABSORB THE FLUORIDE AND BECOME STRONG!!!
So lets go over my one simple trick:
Step 1) Brush teeth
Step 2) Floss Teeth
(The order can be reversed ok with either)
STEP 3) DONT RINSE OUT WITH WATER!
And that’s it!
Now some people may find it hard to get used to the taste of keeping the toothpaste on after brushing so here are a few tips
- Start with just doing it at night before bed- you won’t notice it that much
- Focus on spitting out the toothpaste foam– this gets rid of the toothpaste without getting rid of the foam
- Find a toothpaste that you like the taste – it’ll be easier to get used to
- Be patient and stick to it like a habit– you’ll get used to it quickly and not even notice it after a few days/ weeks!
Conclusion:
Really simple: after you brush your teeth: DONT RINSE YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH WATER. You get to keep all the benefits of fluoride which includes stronger enamel, fresher breath and fewer cavities without the risk of side effects. Let us know on Instagram (@tintodentistry) about how it’s going when you don’t rinse out after you brush your teeth. If you have any questions, book an appointment HERE with one of our hygienists or Dentists and get started on a healthier, stronger smile!
