“Don’t rinse your mouth after brushing” – physician warns

A Medical Practitioner, Dr. Olufunmilayo Adeniyi has concurred with medical experts as she advises people to avoid rinsing their mouths with water immediately after brushing their teeth.

Speaking on ‘Your View’, a TV programme on Television Continental, monitored by The PUNCH, Dr. Adeniyi was of the same opinion with a health portal, Healthline, that rinsing immediately after brushing erases a lot of the benefit of applying fluoride to your teeth.

According to her, rinsing the mouth immediately after brushing will reduce the flouride’s preventative effects (on the teeth).

In her words: “We advise that you spit and do not rinse with water so that there is a little left to act on it. If you brush for two minutes and you spit in between the two minutes, you won’t be able to keep all the toothpaste in your mouth for two minutes.

“So, you spit out, you rinse a little and do it again, and lastly, you spit out and leave it to act. You will see that your breath smells fresher than when you rinse.

“It is recommended that you visit your dentist every six months, at least twice a year. Some people who produce more dirt in their mouths or more calculus in their mouths are asked to see the dentist every four months.

“Every pregnant woman should routinely see a dentist during the course of the pregnancy because the pregnancy hormones affect your gums and your mouth adversely.

“Prevention is cheaper than waiting till late to get something rid off, just invest in a routine check-up.”

Also, a U.K Oral Health Foundation, also recommend the advice.

It said: “Leave the fluoride on your teeth as you go about your day, and try to avoid eating or drinking for 10 minutes or more after brushing is done.”