The no-rinse thing seems to help keep the fluoride around longer anyway.
That’s what my hygienist told me, too. She said, “Spit, don’t rinse,” and I thought she was joking at first. Old habits die hard—I spent decades rinsing with gusto after brushing. Felt wrong to leave that paste taste hanging around, but apparently it’s better for the teeth.
Back in my day (I sound ancient saying that, but hey, it’s true), we didn’t have a million flavors of toothpaste. It was mint or…well, mint. My grandkids have watermelon, bubblegum, and something called “blue blast”—not sure what that’s supposed to taste like, but it smells like a candy shop exploded in the bathroom. I tried the grape one once and nearly spit it out myself. Can’t blame your kid for gagging.
Here’s how I do it now—step by step, because if I don’t have a routine, I forget half of it:
1. Brush with whatever paste is handy (usually something boring like “fresh mint”).
2. Spit out the foam, but don’t rinse with water.
3. If I remember (and that’s a big “if”), I’ll use a fluoride rinse before bed, but again—just swish and spit, no water after.
I’ve noticed my mouth feels less dry in the morning since I stopped rinsing everything away at night. Maybe it’s the fluoride sticking around, maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Either way, fewer cavities lately—and at my age, that’s a win.
I do get the temptation to rinse though. That sticky feeling after brushing isn’t exactly pleasant. But if it means hanging onto my teeth a bit longer, I’ll put up with it.
Funny thing is, when my grandkids sleep over, they watch me like I’m some kind of toothpaste rebel: “Grandpa, you’re not rinsing!” Guess I’m setting trends in my old age…
Funny thing is, when my grandkids sleep over, they watch me like I’m some kind of toothpaste rebel: “Grandpa, you’re not rinsing!” Guess I’m setting trends in my old age…
That made me laugh—my niece did a double-take the first time she saw me skip the rinse too. I get what you mean about the sticky feeling though. It’s weird how we all grew up thinking a good rinse was the final step, but now it’s like... the less you rinse, the more you win?
I’ll admit, I’m still not 100% sold on the “no rinse ever” rule. If I use one of those wild kid flavors (cotton candy toothpaste is a crime against humanity, by the way), I have to fight the urge to rinse just to get rid of the taste. But with regular mint, I spit and leave it, and honestly, my hygienist said she could tell at my last cleaning—less plaque, fewer spots. Maybe it’s placebo, but hey, I’ll take it.
I do think the fluoride rinse before bed makes a difference too. I use it after brushing, swish, spit, and then nothing else. My teeth feel stronger in the morning, if that makes sense? Anyway, cheers to being toothpaste trendsetters, even if the kids think we’re weird.
I do think the fluoride rinse before bed makes a difference too. I use it after brushing, swish, spit, and then nothing else. My teeth feel stronger in the morning, if that makes sense?
I’ve wondered about that too—like, does the rinse add anything if you’re already leaving toothpaste residue? My ortho said as long as you’re not rinsing with water right after brushing, you’re getting most of the benefit. But I always question if using a fluoride rinse right after brushing is overkill or actually boosts protection. Anyone ever get different advice? I still get that gritty feeling sometimes but less plaque for sure.
I’ve wondered about this too, especially since my ortho gave mixed advice over the years. At one point, I was told not to rinse with water after brushing, just spit out the excess toothpaste and leave it at that. But then another hygienist suggested using a fluoride rinse before bed, right after brushing, for an extra boost—so I started doing both. I can’t say I noticed a dramatic difference overnight, but my check-ups have been better since.
Honestly, I get what you mean about the gritty feeling. Sometimes I feel like there’s still stuff on my teeth even after all the rinsing and brushing. If nothing else, the rinse seems to help with that. Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but my mouth just feels cleaner.
I guess it depends on personal preference and maybe how prone you are to cavities. For me, using both doesn’t seem like overkill, but I also don’t have any sensitivity or issues from it. If your ortho says leaving the paste residue is enough, that probably works for most people. Still, I like the peace of mind from that extra step.
I guess it depends on personal preference and maybe how prone you are to cavities. For me, using both doesn’t seem like overkill, but I also don’t have any sensitivity or issues from it.
I totally relate. I used to just brush and spit, no rinse, because my dentist said the same thing about leaving fluoride on my teeth. But when I tried adding a rinse (the generic kind—cheaper!), my mouth honestly felt fresher at night. Hard to say if it's doing a ton more, but at my last cleaning there was less plaque than usual. Maybe it’s partly just being more consistent with my routine? Either way, I stick with the cheaper toothpaste and only use rinse when I feel like I need that extra clean feeling. For me, that keeps costs down and seems to work fine.