04:25 PM
Sunday 18 September 2022
agencies
A person needs to brush his teeth in the morning and before bed and after meals to maintain the health of the teeth and mouth, but some people may adopt wrong habits while brushing the teeth negatively.
Dentist Silvio Cartas shared some of his top tips for maintaining strong and healthy teeth – including things to avoid, according to Russia Today.
He specifically advised against rinsing the mouth after brushing the teeth with water and mouthwash.
“People tend to rinse their mouths after brushing,” Cartas said. “However, this causes the fluoride to be removed from the teeth, which means it cannot benefit the teeth by strengthening the minerals in the enamel.”
So you should spit not rinse, and avoid using mouthwash after brushing teeth, as mouthwash contains less fluoride than toothpaste.
A more helpful habit is to use these fluoride rinses at another time during the day or follow the directions given by your dentist or hygienist.
He further explained: “Toothpaste contains active ingredients that need time to loosen/stick to the teeth. Rinsing after brushing removes these ingredients and their benefits. Antibacterial/cavity toothpaste deposits an adhesive polymer on the tooth (a protective shield); rinsing immediately after brushing. “It dilutes it and eventually removes it. Mouthwashes usually contain a lower concentration of fluoride than toothpaste. So it will dilute the concentration of fluoride in the mouth if used immediately after brushing.”
He added: “Mouthwash should not be used before the age of six due to the risk of ingestion. For children at high risk of cavities (tooth decay), rinsing should be supervised if their dentist recommends the use of a specific mouthwash.”
And a healthy, balanced diet can help reduce the harmful effects of acids in contact with your teeth — most people don’t realize how certain foods can neutralize acids in the mouth.
Read also: 4 Possible side effects of excessive brushing of the teeth