When you're finished brushing, do you rinse out your mouth? It's an action that's likely ingrained in you since you were a kid. That's what so many of our parents taught us, after all. You've probably also spent your entire adult life doing the same thing, but that's actually not the right way to brush. Luckily, it's not too late to change. I used to rinse my mouth thoroughly after brushing my teeth to get rid of the toothpaste taste, as you might also be doing. But all that's accomplishing is lowering the efficacy of your toothpase.

In an interview with Edmond Hewlett, consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and a professor at UCLA School of Dentistry, I learned exactly why I shouldn't rinse after brushing my teeth. Leaving the toothpaste in my mouth longer lets the fluoride do a better job of protecting against tooth decay and gum disease. Read on to learn why it's best to skip the rinse after brushing and get further tips on how to optimize your dental care.

Why you should stop rinsing with water after tooth brushing

Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste that helps make your tooth enamel harder and more resistant to acids that cause cavities. Hewlett says it's the most well-established effective ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure yours has fluoride.

When brushing your teeth, you clean any film and bacteria from food and sugary drinks. When you go a step further and skip rinsing, you're leaving the fluoride from the toothpaste in your mouth for a longer time, giving you a better effect from the fluoride.

Wait at least 15 minutes after brushing to drink water. After brushing your teeth, Hewlett explains, your saliva will clear the toothpaste out so you won't taste it all day.

What if you've always rinsed after tooth brushing? 

If you're just learning about this tip, you may think you've been undoing all your hard work of brushing every day. That's not true. Hewlett says as long as you brush the standard twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the fluoride will remain in your mouth to help protect your teeth.

You're still doing what you need to do to have good oral health and protect your teeth. Not rinsing is just an extra step to help the fluoride be even more effective.

"When you measure a person's fluoride levels in saliva, if they don't rinse, there's more fluoride," Hewlett said. However, it won't be a waste of your time if you rinse. He said research is still being done to determine the difference it makes in the long term to prevent cavities.

Your own dental health also plays a role

There are different risk levels for getting cavities per person, Hewlett said. "If you typically don't get cavities, then you should continue using fluoride toothpaste. The decision to rinse or not to rinse after brushing probably won't make a difference."

On the other hand, for those who struggle with cavities, not rinsing is probably a better decision. Additionally, you should get help from your dentist to find out why you're getting cavities regularly. For instance, it could be your eating habits, snacking on sugary foods or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you're at higher risk for cavities, you should do everything you can to help prevent them.

What about using mouthwash after brushing?

Most mouthwashes contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing with mouthwash right after brushing can wash away the concentrated fluoride from your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at another time, like after lunch or coffee.

More tips for improving your tooth brushing

Here are some additional tips for keeping your oral health up to par.

• Always use a soft bristle toothbrush and never medium or hard. Hewlett said anything but soft can increase the risk of gum recession.
• It doesn't matter if you floss before or after brushing your teeth, as long as you floss once daily to remove plaque and stuck food.
• You don't have to aggressively brush your teeth to get them clean. While scrubbing your dishes with extra force may make them extra clean, it's unnecessary for your teeth and can lead to gum recession.
• Gently brush along the gum line with a soft bristle brush to help prevent gum disease.
• Always consult with your dentist for personalized advice. They understand what your oral health profile looks like.