question: Why dentists tell patients to not rinse their teeth after brushing?
comment: Prescription toothpaste has medication that is meant to be applied to the teeth and guns and left there to work. Rinsing would wash the medication away.
passages: There are a number of common oral hygiene misconceptions. It is not correct to rinse the mouth with water after brushing. It is also not recommended to brush immediately after drinking acidic substances, including sparkling water. It is also recommended to floss once a day, with a different piece of floss at each flossing session. The Effectiveness of Tooth Mousse is in debate. Visits to a dentist for a checkup every year at least are recommended.
  
  Section::::Culinary (food) hygiene.
   Mouthwash should not be used immediately after brushing the teeth so as not to wash away the beneficial fluoride residue left from the toothpaste. Similarly, the mouth should not be rinsed out with water after brushing. Patients were told to "spit don't rinse" after toothbrushing as part of a National Health Service campaign in the UK.
   Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene is essential for preventing tartar build-up which causes the problems mentioned above. This is done through careful, frequent brushing with a toothbrush, combined with the use of dental floss or interdental brushes to prevent accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Powered toothbrushes reduce dental plaque and gingivitis more than manual toothbrushing in both short and long term. Further evidence is needed to determine the clinical importance of these findings.
   As to the frequency of cleaning, research on this matter is inconclusive. That is, it has "neither" been shown that more frequent cleaning leads to better outcomes "nor" that it does not. A review of the research literature on the question concluded "[t]he research evidence is not of sufficient quality to reach any conclusions regarding the beneficial and adverse effects of routine scaling and polishing for periodontal health and regarding the effects of providing this intervention at different time intervals". Thus, any general recommendation for a frequency of routine cleaning (e.g. every six months, every year) has no empirical basis. Moreover, as economists have pointed out, private dentists (or other dental professionals) have an economic incentive to recommend frequent cleaning, because it increases their revenues.
   Effective oral biofilm control on a regular basis is a therapeutic intervention to reduce the risk of developing numerous systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia due to poor oral health. Therefore, it is essential that oral care policies of hospitals and long-term care settings discourage the use of toothettes as the sole tool for oral biofilm control. When used properly, toothbrushing and devices for interdental cleaning are well-established tools for regular plaque removal, and should be the predominant oral care tools used in the hospital and long-term care setting. The toothette can be used as an adjunct to toothbrushing and flossing to moisten and clear the oral cavity of food debris and thickened saliva associated with dry mouth.
   Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during treatment of dental and other oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. See also dental plaque identification procedure and removal.
  
  Good oral hygiene helps to prevent cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.
  
  Section::::Complications.
   Toothbrushing can only clean to a depth of about 1.5 mm inside the gingival pockets, but a sustained regime of plaque removal above the gum line can affect the ecology of the microbes below the gums and may reduce the number of pathogens in pockets up to 5 mm in depth.
   Routine tooth brushing is the principal method of preventing many oral diseases, and perhaps the most important activity an individual can practice to reduce plaque buildup. Controlling plaque reduces the risk of the individual suffering from plaque-associated diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and caries – the three most common oral diseases. The average brushing time for individuals is between 30 seconds and just over 60 seconds. Many oral health care professionals agree that tooth brushing should be done for a minimum of two minutes, and be practiced at least twice a day. Brushing for at least two minutes per session is optimal for preventing the most common oral diseases, and removes considerably more plaque than brushing for only 45 seconds
   Mouthwashes come in a variety of compositions, many claiming to kill bacteria that make up plaque or to freshen breath. In their basic form, they are usually recommended for use after brushing but some manufacturers recommend pre-brush rinsing. Dental research has recommended that mouthwash should be used as an aid to brushing rather than a replacement, because the sticky resistant nature of plaque prevents it from being actively removed by chemicals alone, and physical detachment of the sticky proteins is required.
  
  Section::::Types of dentifrices.:Tooth soap.
   BULLET::::- While brushing your teeth, turn the faucet off or fill a cup to rinse your mouth;
  
  BULLET::::- While washing dishes, turn the faucet off between rinsing dishes; and
  
  By employing these simple suggestions and incorporating your own, will save substantial amounts of water, energy and money.
  
  Section::::Paper initiatives.
   General guidelines suggest brushing twice a day: after breakfast and before going to bed, but ideally the mouth would be cleaned after every meal. Cleaning between the teeth is called interdental cleaning and is as important as tooth brushing. This is because a toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth and therefore only removes about 50% of plaque off the surface. There are many tools to clean between the teeth, including floss and interdental brushes; it is up to each individual to choose which tool he or she prefers to use.
   Often oral health education and training is limited for healthcare aids and nurses, leading to suboptimal oral care for dependent patients in long-term care and hospital settings. The toothette is inaccurately used in the long-term care and hospital setting as the predominant tool for oral care, and toothbrushes are rarely used Grap et al. found that nursing staff in an intensive care unit most commonly use toothettes and mouthwash as the predominant tool for oral care, especially for intubated patients. This is concerning because it is well-established that the toothette does not effectively remove oral biofilm, and the toothbrush is significantly better at promoting health of the gums and controlling oral biofilm. When the efficacy of the toothbrush and toothette are compared, the toothbrush is better at removing plaque from the oral cavity.
   Preventive treatment options for dental caries besides dental sealants, involve promoting and education on toothbrushing technique with fluoride toothpaste, use of fluoride supplements and application of topical fluorides onto tooth surfaces.
  
  Section::::History.
   80% of cavities occur in the grooves, or pits and fissures, of the chewing surfaces of the teeth, however, there is no evidence currently showing that normal at-home flossing reduces the risk of cavities in these areas.
  
  Special appliances or tools may be used to supplement toothbrushing and interdental cleaning. These include special toothpicks, oral irrigators, and other devices. A 2015 Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to determine whether the interdental brushing decreases the levels of plaque when compared to flossing.
  
  Section::::Brushing, scrubbing and flossing.:Scrubbing.
   Section::::Tooth care.
  
  Section::::Tooth care.:Oral hygiene.
  
  Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth clean and is a means of preventing dental caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, and other dental disorders. It consists of both professional and personal care. Regular cleanings, usually done by dentists and dental hygienists, remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling, using various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from teeth.
   Section::::Toothbrushing guidelines.:Frequency.
  
  Although there is a consensus that a thorough toothbrushing once a day is sufficient for maintaining oral health, most dentists recommend patients brush twice a day since a sufficient level of thoroughness in brushing is not normally achieved.
  
  Section::::Toothbrushing guidelines.:Proper technique.
   Teeth cleaning
  
  Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits (tartar) not removed by routine cleaning. Those with dentures and natural teeth may supplement their cleaning with a denture cleaner.
  
  Section::::Brushing, scrubbing and flossing.
  
  Section::::Brushing, scrubbing and flossing.:Brushing.
  
  Careful and frequent brushing with a toothbrush helps to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on the teeth.
   The risk factors have been sub-divided to distinguish those with strong supporting evidence (below the sub-heading ‘risk factor’) from those with conflicting evidence (below the sub-heading ‘potential risk factors’).
  
  Section::::Risk Factors.:Risk factors.
  
  Poor plaque control - this highlights the importance of cleaning the tissues around an implant between dental appointments. It is understood that patients sometimes feel discomfort whilst brushing around implants and are advised to speak to their dentist about this. Also, patients may sometimes be unable to access some sites for cleaning.
   More frequent is washing of just the hands, e.g. before and after preparing food and eating, after using the toilet, after handling something dirty, etc. Hand washing is important in reducing the spread of germs. Also common is washing the face, which is done after waking up, or to keep oneself cool during the day. Brushing one's teeth is also essential for hygiene and is a part of washing.
   The purpose of cleaning teeth is to remove plaque, which consists mostly of bacteria. Healthcare professionals recommend regular brushing twice a day (in the morning and in the evening, or after meals) in order to prevent formation of plaque and tartar. A toothbrush is able to remove most plaque, except in areas between teeth. As a result, flossing is also considered a necessity to maintain oral hygiene. When used correctly, dental floss removes plaque from between teeth and at the gum line, where periodontal disease often begins and could develop caries.
   A tooth that has been subluxated shows symptoms of being tender to percussion (tapped using the end of the mirror) and tender to palpate around the area and/or sulcus as it has been slightly mobilised yet remains undisplaced. To begin with, any sensitivity testing of the pulp may provide a negative response; in which case it is important to continue monitoring until a pulpal response is received.
   BULLET::::3. Move the brush back and forth between the teeth.
  
  BULLET::::4. Rinse under water to remove debris when necessary.
  
  BULLET::::5. Rinse with warm soapy water once complete, and store in a clean dry area.
  
  BULLET::::6. Replace once bristles are worn.
  
  Section::::Preventative care.:Tongue scrapers.
   Fluoride mouth rinses can be professionally-applied by a dental professional or used at home. The most common fluoride compound used in mouth rinse is neutral sodium fluoride. Fluoride mouth rinses range from 0.05% to 0.2% (225-1,000 ppm) in concentration. The fluoride rinse with a 0.05% fluoride content is used for daily rinsing, while the rinse with 0.2% fluoride content is used for weekly rinsing and in school-based weekly rinsing programs. Fluoride at these concentrations is not strong enough for people at high risk for tooth decay. Regular use of a daily (230 ppm) or weekly (900 ppm) fluoride mouth rinse under supervision results into a reduction of tooth decay in children’s permanent teeth. After a fluoride mouthrinse treatment, the fluoride in the mouthrinse is retained in the saliva which helps prevent tooth decay.
   BULLET::::2. Gingival diseases of viral origin
  
  BULLET::::3. Gingival diseases of fungal origin
  
  BULLET::::4. Gingival diseases of genetic origin
  
  BULLET::::5. Gingival manifestations of systemic conditions
  
  BULLET::::6. Traumatic lesions
  
  BULLET::::7. Foreign body reactions
  
  BULLET::::8. Not otherwise specified
  
  Section::::Prevention.
  
  Gingivitis can be prevented through regular oral hygiene that includes daily brushing and flossing. Hydrogen peroxide, saline, alcohol or chlorhexidine mouth washes may also be employed. In a 2004 clinical study, the beneficial effect of hydrogen peroxide on gingivitis has been highlighted. The use of oscillation type brushes might reduce the risk of gingivitis compared to manual brushing.
   Electric toothbrushes were developed, and initially recommended for people with strength or dexterity problems in their hands, but they have come into widespread general use. The effectiveness of electric toothbrushes at reducing plaque formation and gingivitis is superior to conventional manual toothbrushes.
  
  Section::::Brushing, scrubbing and flossing.:Flossing.
  
  In addition to brushing, cleaning between teeth may help to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on the teeth. This may be done with dental floss or interdental brushes.
  