Regular oral hygiene is a pillar of maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile—but this isn’t always so cut-and-dry, and sometimes questions pop up about how to properly care for one’s smile. One question that comes up often is whether or not you’re supposed to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth: is it better to rinse out all of the excess toothpaste, or is that detrimental to your oral health? Here’s more from your dentist about some of the benefits and risks of this habit.

When you hear “oral hygiene,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s brushing, flossing, and getting a dental cleaning every six months. While these are certainly important, there’s actually quite a bit more to it! With this in mind, keep reading to learn seven things your dentist never puts in their mouth.