How true is it that you shouldn't rinse after brushing your teeth so fluoride isn't washed away?

Welcome to Doctor's Corner, where medical experts from Makati Medical Center will answer health questions from readers! Got a question? Send them over to comment@gmanews.tv.

Q: Is it true we shouldn't rinse with water after brushing our teeth to ensure the fluoride from the toothpaste stays on our teeth?

Let’s talk about fluoride, first. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that builds strong teeth and helps prevent cavities. It is the active ingredient in your toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste is the most widely used topical preparation of fluoride to prevent and control dental caries which is better known as tooth decay or cavities.

Prevalence of tooth decay is high in the Philippines. Studies report figures from approximately 87.4% to over 90%. According to data released in 2021 by the DOH, around 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay, while a 2022 International Trade Administration report states 87.4%. These are based on the National Monitoring and Epidemiological Dental Survey (NMEDS).

There are several factors that may cause tooth decay such as brushing efficacy, frequency of meals, food choices especially carbohydrates, certain medical conditions and procedures, baby or permanent teeth involved, and routine professional care to name a few.

Above all these, fluoride application plays an important role in cavities prevention both at home and in the dental office.Rinsing with too much water or immediately after brushing washes out the fluoride before it can even do its job.

Instead of rinsing, you can try to simply spit out excess toothpaste and saliva after brushing.

For many people, rinsing is very much a part of their oral care routine, and if you still prefer to rinse, just don’t do it immediately after. Wait 30 minutes before rinsing your mouth lightly with small amounts of water.

The idea to wait a few minutes before rinsing—or to not rinse at all — is to let fluoride stay longer on your teeth. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste increases the longer the teeth are exposed to it.

Another option is to follow up your brushing with a mouth rinse of alcohol-free mouthwash containing fluoride.

Of course, diligently brushing your teeth after a meal doesn’t replace dental visits every six months. Besides examining your teeth for cavities and gum disease, dental professionals can perform a dental prophylaxis or cleaning to remove any stains, plaque, or tartar buildup on your teeth. Professional dental cleaning usually includes fluoride application that lasts longer than your usual fluoride toothpaste to strengthen and protect your teeth against bacteria.

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Charles P. Sia, MD, MDS, DMD, FICS, FIBCSOMS, FDS RCSEd is the President of the Philippine Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Fellow and Examiner in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK, a member of the Faculty of Dentistry at The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, and a Clinical Professor at the College of Dentistry of Manila Central University.