Brushing your teeth twice a day is part of most people's daily routines.
But what about rinsing after you brush?
Dental hygiene is hugely important.
From brushing and flossing to avoiding lots of sugary foods and drinks - most of us know how to look after our teeth.
However, rinsing after brushing could actually be bad for your teeth, according to the NHS and the Oral Health Foundation.
In a poll carried out by the Oral Health Foundation - an independent oral health charity - 62 per cent of us rinse.
Unfortunately, the habit can actually lead to tooth decay.
The organisation’s CEO, Dr. Nigel Carter, called rinsing our mouth after brushing “very bad” as it “washes away the protective fluoride left behind by brushing”.
Fluoride not only strengths tooth enamel, but also makes our teeth more resistant to decay.
Doctor Carter added:' “[Fluoride] reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce.
"By spitting toothpaste out then not rinsing with water, it ensures that the fluoride...will remain on the teeth and continue to be effective.”
Even rinsing with mouthwash can do more harm than good.
According to the poll, 14 per cent rinse with mouthwash directly after brushing.
Most over-the-counter mouthwash has less fluoride than toothpaste meaning that using the liquid straight after brushing can reduce the level of fluoride protection in our mouths.
As a result, if you want to get the full benefit of toothpaste you should be letting it sit on your teeth for longer.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
