[rococode]

I'm not sure if this is correct but when I was in college I noticed a couple guys who just spit and didn't rinse at all. Like, ever. They just brush, spit out some toothpaste, and then move on to the next step of their routine.

At the time it seemed kinda freaky to me since I always rinse the toothpaste out when I finish brushing, but maybe they were doing it right... I can't get over the feeling over toothpaste stuck in my mouth, though. Perhaps it's one of those things that's hard to change once you establish a pattern in childhood.

[climb_stealth]

Hah. This is perfectly normal for me. I have never done the rinsing after toothbrushing thing. There's definitely something about childhood patterns though. The slight taste of toothpaste in my mouth makes me feel clean and refreshed. I brush my teeth several times a day, usually just before I go somewhere.

[FriendlyNormie]

So you just walk away from the sink and let a poisonous substance sit in your mouth while you slowly but surely swallow it all?

[climb_stealth]

I never thought about it that way, but I guess so. Sometimes I even have a sip of water if it is too toothpasty.

[ianai]

If it kills the bacteria on your mouth that’s got to hurt your gut too.

[TheAdamAndChe]

It's not about killing bacteria, its about leaving fluoride ions in a slightly basic or at least nonacidic environment for long enough to convert hydroxyapatite to fluorohydroxyapatite. This chemical reaction takes time, but considerably strengthens your teeth against corrosion and prevents cavities.

[minitech]

Brushing is mainly supposed to mechanically take the bacteria off of your teeth, like washing your hands, not kill them chemically. The fluoride exists to help keep enamel intact.