Rinse after brushing or not?

Ren's is a toothy grin that is matched by his eyes that seem to smile as well. Kids should really drink their milk often to aid in the development of strong teeth. I wonder, though, Pinoy Smile admin, if you advocate, too, the practice of NOT rinsing one's mouth after brushing so that the "cleaning action" of toothpastes' ingredients will continue even after actual brushing ends? -IAN

Hello, Ian. Yes, contrary to what we've become used to, it is better not to rinse our mouths after brushing. This is to keep fluoride in the mouth longer. Fluoride is the ingredient in toothpastes which fights tooth decay. The longer it stays in the mouth, the better chance it has to bond with the tooth surfaces. A stronger tooth is able to resist the cavity-causing effect of acids produced by bacteria. So what do we do with the excess toothpaste in our mouth after brushing? Spit it out, don't rinse!