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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
Here is a question that is not essential but practical: is toothbrushing more effective when you apply toothpaste to a dry or wet brush? The response from Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
Do you know how to brush your teeth correctly? That is to say with efficiency? After a resounding topic on the benefits of not rinsing your mouth after brushing, we can also ask ourselves the question of whether or not to wet our brush before taking action. So, an opinion?
Water has an effect on your toothbrush
Whether or not to moisten your toothbrush is a matter of personal convenience, tells us Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo. Many of us run our brush under the tap before applying toothpaste… And there’s nothing wrong with that!
But you should know, water does have a physical effect on what follows: covered with water, the adhesion capacity of the bristles of the brush decreases, and consequently, your toothpaste will adhere a little less, and dissolve a little more on contact with your teeth. In short, when your toothbrush is wet in advance, your toothpaste does not perform its function 100%.
Do not wet your toothbrush before, but after!
If you have to choose, it is therefore preferable not to wet your toothbrush and to apply the toothpaste directly, then to practice brushing. Your saliva is sufficient to moisten brushing… But again this is advice, not an obligation.
On the other hand, once brushing is finished, it is a matter of rinsing your brush thoroughly, and keeping it upside down so that it dries properly without developing too much bacteria. Also avoid sticking it to other brushes.