We all believe we are doing well. However, a reflex that we repeat morning and evening sabotages the effects of toothpaste. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, explains why we need to review our oral and dental routine.
This daily gesture that weakens our teeth
It’s automatic: after brushing, you rinse your mouth carefully with large sips of water. A gesture of cleanliness, we believe. And yet, it does more harm than good. “The idea is to prolong the effects of the toothpaste beyond brushing and not to get rid of these ingredients. But if you rinse your mouth with water immediately after brushing, you don’t prolong anything, and you deprive yourself of the benefits of toothpaste, it’s a mistake that we all make.“, explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
In other words, this reflex cancels the protective action of fluoride and active agents contained in toothpaste. These elements are designed to continue to act several hours after brushing, neutralizing acidity and limiting plaque formation.
Toothpaste, a shield that acts over time
Brushing your teeth is not just about removing food residue: it is about depositing a thin protective layer on the enamel. By rinsing it immediately, we erase this barrier. “Brushing just after a meal is not ideal either, because you have to wait for the acidity to decrease naturally. What you can do is rinse your mouth with water after a meal, then wait a little, brush your teeth, spit out the excess toothpaste… Without rinsing your mouth!“, continues the doctor.
This simple change in habit is enough to strengthen oral health in the long term. The toothpaste then acts as a preventative treatment, rather than a simple one-off cleanser.
How to adopt good reflexes on a daily basis
Effective brushing is based on three pillars: regularity (morning and evening), duration (two minutes minimum), and gentleness of the action. Added to this is the care of interdental spaces, which are too often forgotten. If the idea of ditching flushing turns you off, Dr. Kierzek has a solution: “Rinsing remains an essential freshness step for you? In this case, use a rinsing solution, a mouthwash, which will also have protective ingredients“.
A simple, but essential tip: let the toothpaste work, so that your mouth stays healthy for longer.