Have we been brushing our teeth wrong?

Apparently many of us having been making a mistake when it comes to how we brush our teeth.

It seems those who rinse their mouth after brushing to get rid of the toothpaste residue, actually risk a significantly higher incidence of tooth decay.

The common mistake was brought to light in a feature published in academic publication, The Conversation. It was co-authored by the University of Dundee’s Nicola Innes, a professor of paediatric dentistry, and Clement Seeballuck, a clinical lecturer in paediatric dentistry.

“Once you’ve brushed, don’t rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash – you’re washing away the fluoride,” the advice reads.

“This can be a difficult habit to break, but can reduce tooth decay by up to 25%.”

Sydney-based dentist, and Philips Zoom ambassador, Dr Luke Cronin however says that Aussie’s don’t have to worry too much about washing away the toothpaste after brushing, because 70 per cent of the population has access to fluoridated drinking water.

“These recommendations to increase exposure to fluoride are based on findings in the UK where approximately 10 per cent of the population has access to fluoridated water,” Dr Cronin, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

“For the majority of the population there is no need to leave toothpaste residue on the teeth to help prevent decay.”

He does recommend the practice for those who live in more remote areas.

“If you live in an area without access to water fluoridation, it’s a good way to increase your exposure to fluoride on a daily basis if you don’t mind the feeling of residue on your teeth, and can form part of your daily oral hygiene routine,” Dr Cronin tells us.

“As everyone has different oral health needs, including based on where they live, so it’s a good idea to visit your dentist and find out the best way to look after your teeth and prevent decay.”

The paper also shared an important tip for those with a sweet tooth. It’s all to do with restricting the number of occasions you eat sugar – otherwise known as ‘sugar hits’.

“Although not as important as how much, how often you eat sugar also matters,” the publication read.

“Typically, your teeth can be exposed to four ‘sugar hits’ – episodes of sugar intake – daily without irreversible damage to the teeth. Why not try counting how many sugary hits you have a day?”

The experts advised cutting down on snacking on sugary food and drinks throughout the day. This will reduce the amount of times your teeth come into contact with sugar.

With additional reporting by Francesca Specter.

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