Before brushing your teeth, do you wet the toothbrush or not?

Before brushing your teeth, do you wet the toothbrush or not?

2025年08月31日 12:01

1. Conclusion First: The basic form is "Dry Brush × Just Spit Out (rinse with a small amount once if necessary)"

  • Start without wetting the brush & toothpaste: Dilution with water makes fluoride more likely to wash away.The best practice is to just spit out after brushing. If you must rinse, do so witha small amount of water only once.nhs.ukJapan Dance AssociationSave

  • 2 minutes or more, twice a day, before bed is essential: The risk of cavities increases during sleep due to reduced saliva.Ada Association

  • Either electric or manual is fine. Use soft bristles and light pressure.Ada Association


Key Point:"Leaving fluoride" is the winning strategy. Excessive rinsing washes away the "fluoride coating," so avoid it.nhs.uk



2. Scientific Background: Foam, Fluoride, and "To Wet or Not to Wet"

  • The foaming of toothpaste is mainly due to surfactants like **SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)**. The more water, the easier it foams, butfoam provides a sense of cleanliness but not preventive effects. For sensitive individuals, SLS can be irritating.PMC+1ResearchGate

  • Fluoride's concentration and contact time are crucial.Rinsing immediately after brushing dilutes fluoride, reducing its residual amount. The no-rinse method is said toenhance fluoride retention for about 30 minutes, according to studies.nhs.ukPMCBioMed Central

  • There's almost no difference in plaque removal betweenwet and dry methods (dry is effective, but its decisive superiority is unclear). In other words,steer towards "not wetting" as long as it doesn't compromise comfort.PubMedWiley Online Library



3. Steps for Dental Hygienists' "Correct Usage" (Start Practicing Today)

  1. Preparation
    　・Dry toothbrush (soft). For electric, use a light touch.Ada Association

  2. Amount of toothpaste (Fluoride 1,000-1,500ppm as a guide)
    　- Under 6 years old: From a rice grain to a pea-sized amount, depending on age.For under 3 years old, a rice grain size,for 3-6 years old, a pea size.Adavb
    　- 6 years and older, adults:1-2 cm across the entire brush. Pay special attention to fluoride retention before bed.Save

  3. Brushing method (more than 2 minutes)
    　- Move in small motions in the order of the outer surface→inner surface→occlusal surface; for electric, place and glide.Focus on the cervical area (tooth and gum junction).Ada Association

  4. Finishing
    　- Just spit out. If water is absolutely necessary,use a small amount only once. Mouthwash or liquid toothpastedoes not require rinsing with water.nhs.ukJapan Dance Association+1Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

  5. Aftercare
    　- Rinse the brush with water→dry thoroughly→store upright.Replace every 3 months.Colgate



4. Exceptions & Arrangements (When Wetting is Suitable)

  • Oral Dryness & Sensitivity: If bristles catch,lightly moisten with a small amount of water. However,keep post-brush rinsing to a minimum.nhs.uk

  • Children & Elderly: Prioritize comfort and safety. Use age-appropriate amounts andbe cautious of ingestion. Refer to fluoride safety Q&A.AdavbOkayama Prefecture Official Site

  • Appliances (Braces, Bridges, etc.): Use water flow or auxiliary cleaning tools (interdental brushes/floss/water flossers).The Guardian



5. Examining "Common Beliefs" Trending on Social Media

  • "Wetting makes it foam a lot and finish quickly": Foam is derived from SLS. The more moisture, the easier it foams, andyou tend to feel "cleaned" in a short time. Time management (2-minute timer) andminimal rinsingare solutions.PMCkruss-scientific.com

  • "Foam = Cleans Well":The amount of foam and preventive effect are separate. The key ismechanical cleaning + fluoride retention.PMCnhs.uk

  • "Rinse immediately with a lot of water after brushing":It's a loss due to fluoride washout. Switch to "just spit out / small amount once".nhs.uk##

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