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We’ve all had this debate with a friend: do you wet your toothbrush before applying toothpaste? Or afterward? Or not at all?
In reality, no one does the same thing, and everyone more or less believes whatever they want on the subject …
Big question, short answer!
First of all, there’s not much point in wetting your toothbrush before applying toothpaste. If it isn’t a high-quality toothbrush, the water will soften the bristles and therefore reduce its effectiveness. You can therefore opt for an electric toothbrush such as Y-Brush that suits everyone. We recommend not wetting it before brushing: it clearly seems useless, or even counterproductive, and it also helps you avoid forgetting to turn off the tap between the beginning and end of brushing.
We also advise against wetting your toothbrush after applying toothpaste: this can reduce the effect of fluoride by damaging the crystals inside the paste. In addition, the toothpaste will get between the bristles, even though it is the tips of the bristles that brush and deposit the fluoride on the teeth. The best mixture is still toothpaste and saliva!
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A particular active substance
The active substance in toothpaste is fluoride, and it has been proven to have a real effect on health. Fluoride helps reduce the natural breakdown of bones, just like its partner calcium.
We ingest it in several ways every day: salt contains it, some medications also contain it, and in some countries such as the United States, fluoridated water is very popular. Obviously, if we swallow toothpaste while brushing, we absorb fluoride. We therefore take it in either through absorption or simply through deposits on the teeth. Spreading fluoride consumption throughout the day is the best thing to do, especially when it is deposited on your teeth, but also when it is ingested.
So, how does it work?
Teeth, just like bones, are strengthened by fluoride. The main effect comes from the contact time between fluoride and the teeth. Its presence helps prevent cavities. Fluoride settles into the microscopic cavities in the teeth to prevent bacteria from entering them (when the toothpaste contains at least 1000 ppm of fluoride).
For people prone to recurring cavities, toothpastes with a higher fluoride content can be recommended: up to 5000 ppm. In France, toothpastes containing more than 1500 ppm are considered medicines. You’ll also notice that most toothpastes contain around 1450 ppm. Toothpaste itself is therefore not a medicine.
The vast majority of people think that fluoride only works during brushing, which lasts between 30 seconds and 3 minutes depending on the person. This is completely false: it would be absolutely useless if it only lasted 2 minutes. In fact, fluoride mixes with saliva during brushing and then remains in the mouth. There is still fluoride in the mouth more than an hour and a half after brushing. If you rinse your mouth too much after brushing, you remove all the fluoride that remains. Brushing your teeth perfectly in 10 seconds really is possible!
What if I’m against consuming it?
It has been proven that consuming too much fluoride is harmful to the kidneys and can also cause a condition called fluorosis. On the other hand, consuming doses that are too small is completely useless.
It has also been proven that fluoride is beneficial for children. However, they are more exposed to the risk of fluorosis. But it is important to keep in mind that, with a very limited risk of fluorosis, the risk of cavities in children can be considerably reduced.
For children under 6, make sure they do not swallow the toothpaste and use only a very small amount on their toothbrush.
Although fluoride has a clear effect in children, its benefits are more debatable in adults. This is particularly because most adults consume less sugar.
There are multiple causes of cavities: not getting enough fluoride, eating foods that are too sugary or very acidic… Fluoride provides protection: it makes saliva less acidic, kills highly acid-producing bacteria and prevents them from attacking the teeth, but it cannot counteract an unhealthy diet.
There are also fluoride-free toothpastes. Almost all brands offer one. For someone with an average diet, using a toothpaste containing fluoride is a good idea. If your diet is already particularly high in fluoride, it is absolutely not necessary.
Warning
Remember that if you rinse your mouth too much after brushing your teeth, the fluoride will have virtually no effect and your teeth will not be protected, but simply cleaned.
DO WHATEVER YOU WANT
Yes, it’s true: even after saying all that, I still wet my toothbrush before brushing my teeth. For me, it’s a reflex, not for my comfort but to try to clean it a little before using it. We know perfectly well that you’ll probably continue with your current habits!
But which team are you on? #waterbefore or #waterafter or #nowateratall?
Whatever the case, enjoy €10 off your next order with the code LAVIECESTDELEAU!
To learn more: how to choose an electric toothbrush.
