Do You Wet the Toothbrush Before or After Toothpaste?

Do you wet your toothbrush before or after putting on toothpaste? It sounds like another one of those silly debate questions, right? You know the kind. Is the dress blue and black or white and gold? Does the toilet paper roll go over or under? You might assume the answer to the question is subjective… but is it scientific? Let’s sink our teeth into the research.

Should You Wet Your Toothbrush?

A reliable source of oral care information is the American Dental Association, or the ADA. The ADA is an organization for dental professionals that also educates the public and helps define safety and efficacy standards for dental products. You could say they know their tooth truth!

Humor aside, what does the ADA say about whether you are supposed to wet toothpaste? Turns out, nothing! But it does offer recommendations about toothbrushes and how to brush your teeth properly.

Teeth Brushing Tips:

• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. If you like to wet your toothbrush to soften its bristles, that might be a sign you’re using a toothbrush that’s too firm.
• Brush teeth twice a day, two minutes at a time. Smart toothbrushes, such as the hum by Colgate Smart Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, can help ensure you’re tracking how long you’re brushing your teeth.
• Rinse the toothbrush after use and allow it to dry. There may be room to debate wetting a toothbrush before use, but not after! A clean, dry toothbrush and proper storage conditions help prevent bacteria growth.
• Replace the toothbrush/head every three months, or sooner if frayed. A fresh toothbrush head helps ensure proper cleaning. Another benefit of the hum by Colgate Smart Toothbrush is the replacement brush head pack, which makes it easy to stay stocked up.

Are You Supposed to Wet Toothpaste?

Wetting your toothbrush before brushing is generally a matter of personal preference. There’s some debate about wetting toothpaste before brushing and its effects on efficacy, but the ADA doesn’t provide official guidance. If you need an interesting conversation topic for your next dental cleaning, why not ask your dentist or hygienist. Asking their opinion could help you learn something, or at the very least save you from the awkwardness of trying to speak while having your teeth cleaned!