Readers ask, we answer: Should I wet my toothbrush before I brush? (2024)

FAQs

Readers ask, we answer: Should I wet my toothbrush before I brush? ›

Dr Raha remarks that if you prefer to wet the toothbrush to make the bristles softer, you should probably be using a toothbrush with softer bristles. Many dentists also note that if you must wet the toothbrush before or after applying toothpaste, it's better to keep the amount of water you use to a minimum.

You might have seen a flood of Twitter chatter sparked by a tweet reading, “Do ya'll wet the toothbrush first, or put toothpaste on first?” The response online was mixed, but our answer is pretty simple: Wetting your toothbrush is more a matter of preference and doesn't significantly change the success of brushing.

Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.

Short answer: no, you should not rinse your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth. Most toothpastes contain an active ingredient called fluoride, which is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. When you rinse with water after brushing, you're prematurely washing out the fluoride that's working on your teeth.

Yes, all Oral-B electric toothbrushes are waterproof, so it is fine to use them in the shower. However, we don't recommend immersing your brush in water. We know using your toothbrush in the shower saves a vital few minutes on hectic mornings.

'Dry brushing' — the act of brushing the teeth without toothpaste — has been found to be more effective for removing plaque than brushing with toothpaste, according to the study. In fact, 128 participants who tried dry-brushing for six months saw a 67% reduction in plaque buildup.

Hot water inflames your skin and even strips away oils, fats, and proteins that keep your skin healthy. This can cause redness and itching. Brushing your skin while it is dry allows you to exfoliate and increase blood circulation without robbing it of moisture the way the hot water in your shower can.

"Daily dental care to remove bacteria from the teeth, gums, and tongue is relatively inexpensive compared with costly dental treatments," says Dr. Brennan. A proper dental routine consists of five steps: rinsing, brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, and a final rinse.

If you want to be on the safe side, then you should wait at least twenty minutes before rinsing your mouth after brushing. This gives the fluoride more time to work, which means you have a better chance at cleaning them and preventing tooth decay.

Hair that's wet and filled with moisture is more fragile than hair that's dry, which can result in snapping when brushed. As such, it's recommended to brush hair in a dry state (guide-to-detangling-curls). This may mean allowing your hair to air-dry post-shower before beginning to comb through hair strands.

Is it better to brush your teeth before or after breakfast? ›

Takeaway. When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.

As we have discussed, using mouthwash instead of brushing your teeth can work in certain situations, and, sometimes, it may be your only option. But traditional brushing with toothpaste still takes the top spot in any oral health routine.

How your toothbrush is stored plays a large part in keeping it sanitary. For instance, if your toothbrush lives in the shower and isn't able to dry out after use, then you're creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive — which could lead to unwanted health issues.

They are more expensive compared to manual toothbrushes, making them less accessible to everyone. Electric toothbrushes are also fragile and require a lot of care to prevent damage. Although you have to charge them, overcharging, dropping, or damaging the batteries can mean the end of your electric toothbrush.

So, if you let your toothbrush air dry, it will take care of most bacteria. Replace your toothbrush after being sick. Pitching your toothbrush is crucial if you're sick or have a fungal, yeast or viral infection in your mouth.

So, the temperature of the water used while brushing your teeth is all up to your personal preference – but never use “hot” water, you don't want to scald yourself. People with sensitive teeth, however, may want to use lukewarm water to help with the sensitivity that cold water may cause.

Dry brushing is a more effective technique that is used to clean the crevices between your teeth. Using this brushing technique, you can easily prevent plaque build-up on the surface areas of your bottom teeth, which are usually prone to decay.