Wetting before softens toothbrush bristles and rinses off debris. Wetting after ensures the toothpaste melts into your toothbrush so it doesn't roll off. Not wetting your toothbrush means there aren't extra steps between applying toothpaste and brushing.
As per Dr. Carter, the water weakens the bristles and makes them less effective in cleaning teeth. Moreover, he does recommend brushing for a full two minutes prior to going to bed each night.
Start with a dry toothbrush: A toothbrush that is soft and dry brush will scour away sticky bacterial plaque more effectively than a wet one. It's okay to 'relax' stiff bristles by running your thumb across them before you begin brushing.
Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing
After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.
Dentists say it's good to let the fluoridated toothpaste set in your teeth for a few minutes regardless if you do decide you want to rinse with water or not. While rinsing doesn't harm you, it prevents the toothpaste from working to its best ability.
You might have seen a flood of Twitter chatter sparked by a tweet reading, “Do ya'll wet the toothbrush first, or put toothpaste on first?” The response online was mixed, but our answer is pretty simple: Wetting your toothbrush is more a matter of preference and doesn't significantly change the success of brushing.
Dry exfoliating is considered to have more benefits because the removal of dirt and dead cells is more efficient when the skin is dry. Water pumps up the skin, which makes wet brushing a bit less effective.
Most experts recommend dry brushing in the morning rather than before bed because they believe it has invigorating qualities. Some people use the brush on its own; others put a bit of body oil on the brush before they use it.
Bacteria thrive in moist environments and a toothbrush cover provides just that. While it may keep other things out, it also locks everything else in. Your brush needs to thoroughly dry between uses so that new bacteria do not grow and multiply on the surface of it.
You'll want to soak your toothbrush in the solution for at least 3 to 5 minutes at a time. After the specified amount of time, make sure you rinse your toothbrush thoroughly before use. Avoid soaking your toothbrush overnight; otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the bristles.
Boil your toothbrush for about 3 minutes. Although it is hard on your toothbrush, boiling water will most germs. A toothbrush can be put into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to be sanitized. Run your toothbrush through on the hot cycle without soap.
Do I have to shower after dry body brushing? No, you don't have to shower after dry body brushing unless you'd like to, so you can do it any time of day. That said, it's likely easiest to incorporate into your routine before a shower or bath, or when you're changing in the morning or evening.
You might notice a difference after the first session, but for the most dramatic results, you need to give it two weeks. “The technique of dry brushing takes time and effort — it's not an instant result,” explains Pekar. So don't do it once and expect you'll turn into Miranda Kerr (if only).
While it is safe to practice dry body brushing daily, it's definitely not recommended. The last thing you want to do is over-brush and negate all the good stuff you're doing for your skin. Once or twice a week should be sufficient enough to see and feel results.
The most common side effect of dry brushing is irritated skin. This is more likely to happen if you brush too hard, brush too often, or if your skin is especially sensitive. While your skin may be a bit pink after a session, you most definitely don't want to see redness or abrasions on the skin.
Brushing your skin while it is dry allows you to exfoliate and increase blood circulation without robbing it of moisture the way the hot water in your shower can.
Dry brushing will exfoliate the skin, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance when used regularly over a period of time.
The bathroom is one of the most germ-infested rooms in any house, but leaving a toothbrush in a damp shower makes your brush (and mouth) a target for unwanted microbes. Given enough of the wrong types of bacteria, an extra germy toothbrush could even lead to diarrhea or skin infection.
Proper Brushing Technique
Hold the bristles gently against the outside of your top teeth, near the gum line, at about a 45-degree angle upward. Sweep the brush gently back and forth over teeth and gums in soft strokes — or, if you prefer, use an elliptical (circular) motion to clean the teeth.
It may be difficult to break the habit of rinsing your mouth after brushing, but it might be good to start trying. Leaving residual toothpaste in your mouth can reduce tooth decay. Rinsing with mouthwash immediately after brushing may not be the best for your teeth, even if your mouthwash contains fluoride.