The rinsing debate

There has been much debate over the years with regards to rinsing, and whether or not patients should rinse after brushing in order to maintain the best oral hygiene. Many people, including practising dentists, will find they fall into one of the two camps, often through habit more than anything else, but just which group is right – can rinsing really impact upon your oral health?

Evidence to date would seem to be weighing up in favour of the ‘no rinsing’ camp. A 2003 study published in the British Dental Journal recommends dentists: “Discourage rinsing with large volumes of water” due to the effect rinsing can have on the fluoride concentration in the mouth. Essentially, the study’s findings suggest that rinsing washes away the fluoride of the toothpaste. Rinsing, according to the study, is “an important determinant of anticaries efficacy of a fluoride toothpaste”.

More and more dental practices are now recommending against rinsing in their online advice for patients. Indeed in an article published in the national press, Phil Stemmer from The Fresh Breath Centre in London openly advised not to rinse due to the way it washed away the fluoride left over in the mouth after brushing.