Brushing your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene. But have you ever wondered if you should rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth? The debate on rinsing after brushing teeth has been ongoing for years, with conflicting opinions from dental professionals. Some argue that rinsing with water after brushing can wash away the fluoride in toothpaste, which is essential for strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities. On the other hand, others believe that not rinsing can leave harmful bacteria and debris in the mouth, leading to bad breath and gum disease. The argument centers around a process called tooth remineralization. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of rinsing after brushing your teeth. Dr. John Phelts also offers a solution that dissolves the debate altogether.
What Is Tooth Demineralization and Remineralization?
Teeth are constantly going through the processes of demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization is the process of losing the minerals in teeth. It weakens them and leads to tooth decay, cavities, and other tooth and gum diseases.. How does this happen? When acidic foods like citrus fruits, vinegar, and coffee are consumed, the acid leaches minerals from your teeth. In addition, when the bacteria feed on the food particles left on the teeth they produce acid substances, which further contribute to demineralization.
To counter the demineralization process, your body can restore the lost minerals via a process called remineralization. Tooth remineralization is a process where minerals are added back to teeth. To do this, the body uses the minerals found in food and saliva and incorporates them into the teeth.. It can also use minerals in toothpaste to aid in the remineralization of teeth. One well known mineral is fluoride. But, there is another mineral that is safe and just as effective and has more benefits than fluoride. Read on to find out more.
What Happens When There Is Not Enough Remineralization?
When the rate of demineralization exceeds remineralization, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease begin to set in..
Now Let's Get Back To The Controversy- To Rinse or Not To Rinse
Research findings on rinsing after brushing indicate that there are pros and cons to this practice. One study found that rinsing with water immediately after brushing can help to remove any remaining toothpaste from the mouth, which can reduce the risk of ingesting too much fluoride. Fluoride ingestion is not healthy and can become toxic to the body. However, another study found that rinsing with water immediately after brushing can also dilute the fluoride in toothpaste, reducing its effectiveness in preventing cavities. Studies show that rinsing with water after brushing can reduce the amount of fluoride left on teeth by up to 50%. Again, using a mineral that is safe to consume, instead of fluoride, can eliminate the cons of both arguments. Keep reading to find out what this amazing ingredient is.
The Fluoride Alternative
Interestingly, there is a little known type of toothpaste called nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) that can solve the fluoride problem. It has been shown to be just as effective as fluoride when it comes to tooth remineralization.
What is nHA Toothpaste?
nHA toothpaste is a type of toothpaste that contains nano-sized particles of hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a natural mineral that makes up the majority of our teeth and bones. It is made mostly of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for tooth remineralization. The nano-sized particles in nHA toothpaste are small enough to penetrate the enamel and dentin of the teeth, helping to repair and strengthen them. The great thing about nHA is that it is also non-toxic, meaning you can swallow it and it not be harmful to your health, so there is no risk of fluoride toxicity.. It is actually healthy for you. Hydroxyapatite is used in bone building supplements, since it is has a high calcium content and has high bioavailability.
The Benefits of nHA Toothpaste
Both nHA and Fluoride strengthen teeth, but nHA has additional benefits.
- Strengthens Teeth: The hydroxyapatite particles in nHA toothpaste work to strengthen the teeth, making them less susceptible to decay and damage. They can also help to repair small cracks and chips in the teeth, restoring their natural strength and structure.
- Reduces Sensitivity: nHA toothpaste can help to reduce tooth sensitivity by blocking the tiny tubules in the teeth that can cause pain and discomfort. This is especially beneficial for people who experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- Whitens Teeth: nHA toothpaste can help to remove surface stains on the teeth, resulting in a brighter and whiter smile. The hydroxyapatite particles in nHA toothpaste can also help to fill in small gaps and cracks in the teeth, giving them a smoother and more polished appearance.
- Promotes Healthy Gums: nHA toothpaste can help to promote healthy gums by reducing inflammation and preventing gum disease. The hydroxyapatite particles in nHA toothpaste can also help to remineralize the gums, making them stronger and more resistant to infection.
- Safe for Children: nHA toothpaste is safe for children to use, as it does not contain harmful ingredients such as fluoride. It is also gentle on the teeth and gums, making it ideal for children who may be more sensitive to traditional toothpaste.
Dr. John Phelts' Solution To The Debate
It seems that the main reason that there is disagreement on this subject is that fluoride toothpaste is being used. Ingesting too much it is toxic to your body, so rinsing is necessary, when using fluoride, Switching to nHA toothpaste eliminates that issue.
It is important to rinse in order to get the food particles that were just brushed off your teeth out of your mouth. It is not good for your teeth when those particles sitting around in your mouth, because bacteria will feed on them and produce tooth decaying acid.
Use The Following Sequence To Optimize Tooth Remineralization
- Brush your teeth, as you normally would with nHA toothpaste.
- Rinse and spit to wash out the debris and food particles from your mouth.
- Reapply nHA toothpaste to your teeth using your toothbrush or a finger
- Go about your day. No worries if you swallow it, because its beneficial to you.
Here Are Our Recommended nHA Toothpastes
We recommend
Great Oral Health Pro-Mineralizer Toothpaste, because this product is open about how much nHA is in their toothpaste, so you know that you are getting an adequate amount to remineralize your teeth.
We recommend
BOKA, because it has a great taste. The nHA is pretty high up on thier ingredient list compared to other toothpastes that we considered
. They recently released a kid's flavor. We haven't tried it yet, but we think it is worth considering if you have children.
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/should-you-rinse-after-brushing-teeth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3092/
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3092/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651468/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252862/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8930857/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8352058/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651468/#ref1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651468/#ref35
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651468/#ref36
We recommend BOKA, because it has a great taste. The nHA is pretty high up on thier ingredient list compared to other toothpastes that we considered
