Should you wet your toothbrush before brushing your teeth?
Updated | By Damon Beard
Oral hygiene is something Damon takes very seriously hence he decided that he needed to put an end to this debate.
![toothbrush with toothpaste](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/Screen_Shot_2018-02-25_at_10.09.00_PM.width-800.png)
Listen as Dr Ismail, a Kloof-based Dentist, shares his views on the topic in the podcast, then read more below:
Ask anyone this question and you’re sure to get into a debate that will continue for as long as toothpaste and toothbrushes have been around.
Simple question: Are you supposed to run your toothbrush under the tap before or after you squeeze toothpaste on?
If you are someone who wets their toothbrush before applying toothpaste, you’re attempting to make the toothpaste stick to the brush and soften the bristles but on the other hand, if you wet your toothbrush after squeezing the toothpaste, it works itself into a lather.
Read - #LifeHacksByKeri: From 'toilet brush' to new toothbrush
Then there are the people who prefer to do both, and those who do neither. So I put it to five of my colleagues to hear what they had to say. Three out of the five said that they wet their toothbrush, add the toothpaste, run it under water again then start brushing. The other two add toothpaste to their dry toothbrush then brush.
Before I commence brushing, I apply toothpaste to my toothbrush, run it under the tap and then let the brushing begin. I've never had to think twice about it, but ever since this debate, I'm now thinking otherwise.
Just brush your teeth – that’s the most important thing, right?
Also read: How often should you change your toothbrush?
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