Are you one of those people who rinse their mouth with water after brushing their teeth, thinking ‘it’s better than nothing’? What you don’t realise is that you could be putting your oral health at risk.

Dentist Dr Andrej Bozic from Dentum told the Daily Express that the habit could be leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay and other dental problems. “It’s not beneficial and actually stops the toothpaste from doing its job,” he said. Rinsing your mouth with water washes away fluoride, which is the most important ingredient in toothpaste and helps to reduce cavities and strengthen the enamel,” he explained, adding that it’s the layer of foam created by the toothpaste that does the protecting.

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Dr Bozic added that even mouthwash should be used before you brush your teeth. “Like water, it can remove the effects of the fluoride. It’s better to save it for other times of the day, such as after meals or snacks, or even before you brush.”

For a good oral hygiene routine, he recommends brushing your teeth twice a day. “Once in the morning and once before you go to bed,” he said. And make sure you brush for two minutes. “Most electric toothbrushes have a timer but if yours doesn’t, set a timer on your phone or, if you fancy a sing-song, ‘All Shook Up’ by Elvis Presley will do the trick.”

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Make sure you brush your teeth before breakfast too. “Brushing first thing in the morning helps to kick-start saliva production, which helps to break down food and naturally wash away harmful bacteria in your mouth. It also helps to get rid of morning breath.”

After meals, you should wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. According to Dr Bozic, “it’s the best way to ensure you’re protecting your teeth and not damaging the enamel, especially if you’ve eaten something acidic. By brushing straight away you risk brushing the acid deeper into your teeth, which can weaken the enamel.”

Finally, remember that “bacteria builds up on the papillae and other structures on your tongue and it’s almost impossible to remove it by just rinsing”. “This build-up not only causes bad breath but can also lead to other oral health problems, so brushing your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper is essential for good oral health,” he added.

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