Just a question about fluoridated anti-cavity mouthwash. The instructions say to swish for 1 min, not to swallow any, and not eat or drink for a period of about 30 mins afterward. They don't say whether you should or shouldn't rinse your mouth out with water after using mouthwash. Is this a sensible precaution to avoid swallowing some, or does it largely nullify the protection due to its not having the 30 mins sitting on your teeth?

Just a question about fluoridated anti-cavity mouthwash. The instructions say to swish for 1 min, not to swallow any, and not eat or drink for a period of about 30 mins afterward. They don't say whether you should or shouldn't rinse your mouth out with water after using mouthwash. Is this a sensible precaution to avoid swallowing some, or does it largely nullify the protection due to its not having the 30 mins sitting on your teeth?

 

I think it may have more to do with allowing the new layer of fluoroapatite set properly, in which case, rinsing your mouth out is not advised. i suspect a quick rinse with plain water is probably fine though, just not soda or fruit juice or something. It is probably quite possible to stain it at this point.