Took me ages to get used to not rinsing too—old habits die hard, right? But honestly, my teeth have felt less sensitive since I started leaving the paste on. It’s awkward at first but you really do get used to it.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still a bit skeptical about not rinsing at all.
I’ve tried just spitting and leaving the paste, but it always feels like there’s residue left behind that bugs me. My orthodontist actually suggested a quick rinse with just a tiny bit of water—like, barely a swish—so you don’t wash away all the fluoride but still get rid of the foamy aftertaste. Maybe it’s not textbook perfect, but it works for me and my mouth doesn’t feel sticky after brushing. Anyone else do something similar?“It’s awkward at first but you really do get used to it.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still a bit skeptical about not rinsing at all.
I totally relate to the “residue left behind that bugs me.” I tried just spitting and leaving it, like they say, but honestly, I couldn’t handle the slimy feeling. My dentist told me the same thing as your ortho—just a tiny sip of water, swish for maybe a second, then spit. It’s not a full rinse, but it gets rid of that sticky aftertaste. I’ve been doing it for years and haven’t had any new cavities, so I guess it’s working. I still get nervous about not following the “official” advice, but comfort wins out for me.
I get the whole “leave the paste on” logic, but honestly, I’ve never been able to just spit and walk away either. That weird, filmy aftertaste drives me nuts. My ortho was pretty chill about the quick swish—like, don’t flood your mouth, just a tiny bit to get the gunk out. I figure if it’s enough for my braces and I haven’t had issues, it can’t be that bad. Maybe it’s not textbook perfect, but I’d rather brush my teeth than gag on leftover paste.
I’d rather brush my teeth than gag on leftover paste.
Honestly, same here. I’ve tried the “just spit, don’t rinse” thing and that chalky taste just lingers forever… I always end up doing a mini swish, like your ortho suggested. Maybe it’s not the gold standard but my teeth haven’t fallen out yet, so I’m calling it a win. Plus, I feel like if you’re brushing well and keeping up with checkups, it’s probably not a huge deal.