A dentist has revealed that a common habit most people have when brushing their teeth could be silently damaging your smile. Rinsing your mouth out with water immediately after brushing is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth, Dr Deepa Chopra said. She added: “It might feel like the right thing to do, but rinsing immediately after brushing washes away the fluoride in your toothpaste — and that’s what protects your teeth from decay. 

“That leftover layer of toothpaste is there for a reason. It’s not meant to be washed off straight away.” Dr Chopra, an expert at Whites Dental with over 18 years’ experience, said instead people should simply spit out any excess toothpaste and avoid rinsing.

She added: “Another one I see all the time is using mouthwash straight after brushing. “It sounds like a good habit — but actually, it just washes away the fluoride again. 

“If you use mouthwash, it’s better to do it before brushing or at a different time of day, like after lunch.”

Other top tips include ensuring you brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.

Dr Chopra also advises people to brush teeth before breakfast. She said: “It helps activate saliva, which naturally protects your mouth — and gets rid of that morning breath.”

And you should wait 30 minutes to an hour after eating before brushing your teeth again, because “brushing too soon can weaken the enamel”.

Finally, Dr Chopra said people should remember to brush your tongue, as bacteria on the tongue is a major cause of bad breath.

She added: “A few small changes to your brushing routine can have a massive impact.

“Good oral hygiene doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be done right.”