Dentist sets record straight on wetting your toothbrush before brushing
Good oral hygiene is part of most people's health routines in Ireland. Many of us follow the basic rule - brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with toothpaste. But one small step is often overlooked, and could actually make a big difference to your dental health.
Dr Payal Bhalla, Lead Dentist and Clinical Director at Quest Dental, has clarified why wetting your toothbrush before brushing is more than just a habit - it's "essential" for protecting your teeth and gums and can "reduce the risk of irritation or damage" to the mouth when compared to a dry toothbrush.
She explained: "Wetting your toothbrush before brushing your teeth is essential for several reasons. Firstly, wetting the bristles helps distribute toothpaste more effectively, ensuring better coverage across the tooth surfaces. This results in enhanced cleaning efficiency and more thorough removal of plaque and debris."
But there's more to it than just spreading toothpaste. Dr Bhalla added: "Secondly, wetting the toothbrush softens the bristles, making the brushing experience gentler on gums and tooth enamel, reducing the risk of irritation or damage. Additionally, the moisture helps activate the toothpaste ingredients, making them more effective in fighting bacteria and maintaining oral hygiene. By wetting your toothbrush, you can improve your overall brushing experience and promote better oral health outcomes, making it a simple yet valuable step in your daily dental care routine."
This simple step can also "prevent more aggressive brushing", which often leads to enamel wear and gum recession - a common problem many Irish adults face. The water helps create a gentle foam with the toothpaste that helps "loosen and lift debris, plaque and food particles."
Wetting the toothbrush also "activates the toothpaste's active ingredients such as fluoride", meaning the tooth enamel is strengthened and protected against tooth decay, Mirror UK reports. It also "helps evenly distribute the toothpaste across the bristles", ensuring the toothpaste is able to cover a larger surface area, "targeting hard-to-reach areas."
Dry brushing might not effectively remove surface stains on your teeth "leading to discoloration over time." It also means that the brushing experience is more gentle, reducing the risk of irritation to the gums.
Dr Bhalla added: "A wet toothbrush may feel more comfortable in the mouth, especially for individuals with sensitive teeth or gums. The moisture can provide a soothing effect and reduce potential discomfort during brushing. And some toothpaste formulations can be abrasive, especially if applied directly without wetting the brush first. Wetting the toothbrush before applying toothpaste helps dilute its potential abrasiveness, protecting the tooth enamel from excessive wear."
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on X @IrishMirror for real news in real time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach Micheál Martin vows to come down even harder on sale of vapes
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has vowed that further legislation cracking down on vapes will be introduced to target flavoured and disposable products. He made the comments at the World Conference on Tobacco Control, which is taking place this week at the Dublin Convention Centre. Under plans devised by former health minister Stephen Donnelly, a new licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products such as e-cigarettes will be introduced in February 2026. This will enable retail outlets to obtain annual licences to sell these products. Despite Cabinet approving plans in September 2024 to ban disposable vapes and flavours, the Irish Mirror understands there is still no date for the implementation of the plans. A ban on disposable vapes came into effect in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK on June 1. The Taoiseach vowed on Monday that the legislation will be introduced and there will be a further crackdown on the products. Mr Martin said: 'I'm a very strong opponent of vapes and I have been from the beginning. 'There was very little due diligence done in terms of the composition of vapes and in terms of their impact on health. 'It's quite extraordinary that products of that kind got on the market and onto the shelves without any real health and safety analysis. That has always been my position. 'Any measures that reduce or eliminate vapes from the perspective of public health is a good thing. 'Ireland has made significant moves on that front. We will have significant restrictions coming in next February as a result of the legislation passed by the last Government. 'There is further legislation being planned in terms of the sale of disposable, the use of flavours, and I would see this as a continuation of measures that were adopted last year." He added: 'Certainly, I would favour the strongest possible measures against vaping. I spoke to [Former Chief Medical Adviser to the US President] Dr [Anthony] Fauci when he was in Dublin last year, and I spoke to a lot of public health experts. 'A lot of research has been undertaken now highlighting the dangers posed by vapes to the lungs of people and potential health conditions that can arise after use.'
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent HSE holiday warning as outbreaks surge in popular tourist destinations
With summer holiday season just around the corner, the HSE has issued an urgent warning for Irish travellers amid a worrying surge in measles outbreaks across many popular tourist destinations. With cases reported not only in several European countries, but also North America and parts of Asia, the HSE says it is "concerned that measles outbreaks may occur in Ireland this summer". Measles - one of the most highly contagious diseases - continues to "spread rapidly among individuals who are unvaccinated". Some of the countries experiencing significant outbreaks include many top holiday spots, prompting Ireland's health officials to urge travellers to make sure their vaccinations are up to date before jetting off. The HSE strongly advises all travellers, especially families with young children, to check their vaccination status and get the MMR vaccine if necessary. A spokesperson said: "The best way to protect you and your family against measles is to ensure all family members are up to date with the recommended doses of MMR vaccine before travelling abroad. "MMR vaccine is available free of charge at your GP for individuals born on or after January 1st 1978 who are not age-appropriately vaccinated. In addition, infants aged 6 months to under 12 months are eligible to receive an MMR vaccine, free of charge at their GP, prior to travel abroad. It is recommended that individuals receive MMR vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel. "HSE recommends that all people who are eligible for MMR vaccination should be vaccinated, regardless of whether planning on travel abroad or not." The warning comes as "large outbreaks" of measles cases have been reported across Europe. In the latest measles report from ECDC the highest number of cases were reported in France, Spain, Romania, Netherlands and Belgium. Large numbers of cases have also been reported in the USA, Canada and some countries in Asia - including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. The HSE says that measles starts with cold-like symptoms around 10 days after you get infected. The first symptoms are: You get a measles rash a few days later. The rash appears around two to four days after your first symptoms. It fades after around a week. It usually starts on your head or neck and then spreads outwards to the rest of your body. The rash can be flat or slightly raised and join together into large blotchy patches. It looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin. The rash is slightly itchy for some people. You will feel most ill on the first or second day after you get the rash. Some people also get small grey-white spots in their mouth. Not everyone with measles has these spots. The spots usually appear before the measles rash. If you have these spots and other symptoms or a rash, it's very likely you have measles. The spots usually last for a few days. Measles spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading it. The HSE said: "Tell your child's school or childcare if your child has measles. Children in your child's group or class may need to get the MMR vaccine. Do not go to work, school or childcare until at least four days after you first got the measles rash. Avoid contact with young children, pregnant women and people who have a weak immune system."
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Health chiefs warn of cancer symptom you might spot when showering that kills 159 Irish people every year
THE HSE have shared the signs and symptoms for Irish people to watch out for after tanning. See how to prevent serious sun damage this summer and when to visit your GP with irregular moles. 2 The HSE have warned sunseekers of the dangers of sun exposure Credit: HSE 2 There are two main types of skin cancer Credit: HSE Advertisement In a post to HSE bosses said: "Check your skin regularly for early signs of skin cancer. Skin The health chiefs are encouraging sunseekers to keep a close eye on their skin for disease that kills 159 Irish people every year. There are two main types of skin cancer - melanoma skin cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer. Advertisement READ MORE ON HEALTH While melanoma skin cancer is much less common than As it has become more common in Ireland in recent years. With 1,100 people diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer each year. While everyone should stay safe in the sun this summer it is most common in people over 50, but you can get it at any age. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive Melanoma skin cancer starts in cells in skin called melanocytes and can spread to other organs in the body. But what are the signs you should look out for after the wave of sunshine that hit Ireland last week? Urgent health alert as GP shares ways to combat illness with simple everyday task The most common sign of melanoma is a new mole or a change in an existing mole. A mole may change shape, size or colour. It may stand out among other moles. Check your skin every few months for new moles or changes in existing moles. Spot any changes using the . Advertisement How to check for changes in moles With 159 Irish people dying from melanoma each year it is important for sun seekers to regularly check their moles. The HSE have advised the public to do this by using the ABCDE method to make sure you catch any issues early on. But what is the ABCDE method and how do you do it ? A =Asymmetrical : Melanomas are asymmetrical. They have 2 very different halves and are an irregular shape. B =Border: Melanomas have a notched or ragged border. C =Colours: Melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours. D =Diametre: Melanomas are larger than 6mm wide. E =Evolution: Normal moles do not change. Melanoma moles often change (evolve) over time. They can change size, shape and colour. They can become raised and crusty. About seven in 10 melanomas are superficial spreading melanomas and tend to be more common in people with white skin and freckles. Superficial spreading melanomas tend to grow along the surface of your skin rather than downwards. But if they grow downwards into the deeper layers of skin, they can spread to other parts of your body. Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or a sunbed. Certain things can increase your chances of getting this form of skin cancer such as: Advertisement lots of moles or freckles pale white skin that burns easily and never tans red or blonde hair a close family member who has had melanoma How to prevent Melanoma Melanoma is not always preventable, but you can reduce your chances of developing it by avoiding getting sunburnt. You can help protect yourself from the sun by: covering up with a hat, clothing and sunglasses staying in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm putting sunscreen on any skin that is not covered Do not use sunbeds, sunlamps or sunbathe. The main treatment for melanoma is an operation (surgery). But your treatment will depend on things like the stage of the cancer and your general If you notice an abnormality in one of your freckles or moles you should contact your GP.
