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Q: Is it safe to rinse mouth with tap water?
I never drink tap water but always rinse my mouth with it after brushing my teeth. Is this okay or do most people rinse with bottled water?
11 years 44 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
No, it would be safe to rinse but not swallow. Don't drink that water I don't even drink boiled tap water here unless I'm cooking ramen noodles and I can add some flavor to it. It still isn't the same as back home but I do that sometimes. I rinse all the time with tap water I wouldn't want to buy drinking water just to spit it out!
I rinse with *bottled water but wash my toothbrush after brushing with tap water. I don't want to rinse with it because I'll probably swallow a little.
*edit
coffaholic:
I accidently swallowed a whole mouthful of tap water the other day. Am I going to die?!!!
Jnusb416:
I think you'll be fine. There's just a higher likelihood of swallowing some germs. It doesn't mean you'll actually get sick.
I would say it will depend on region (or area) you live and your organism.
For years in China I only used water from bottles, even to make ice or rinse my mouth.
Then one day while showering, I swallowed a mouthful, and nothing happened.
Afterwards, decided to do a bit of tasting, and for one week drank one glass of tap water each day, and still nothing happened.
Today, I do not bother with water in bottles unless out of my home. And at home, I do boil water first, then filter it and when tested, shows 97.5 pure, so that is what I use.
I would be more worried about what the previous occupant used the sink for
Well my girlfriend used to swallow it sometimes and she is fine....
Here everybody drinks tap water. I would use it randomly but not drink it regularly since it is very "hard" water. I do not think it is a good choice as a long term habit but apparently in this area is safe to drink.
I remember reading signs at a ski resort in Vermont about the water being bad, it said brush your teeth with beer, so if in doubt??
Its ok for rinsing, that is just fine. but its not suitable for drinking, even when boiled. There are still too many heavy metals in it. A coworker of mine even bought a tester for it, and the levels are too high in heavy metals.
So dont worry about using it in the bathroom, but for drinking stick to bottled.
i always use bottle water to rinse just dont know what chemicals metals etc could be in the water
My first day in China I tried to rinse with tap water. I gagged at the taste so ever since I have only used bottled water. I also use bottled water to rinse my brush in a glass just to be safe.
Is it safe to do...probably...but I don't want to find out.
Been rinsing my mouth with tap water in China for about 2 years now. I haven't keeled over dead or developed any extra appendages yet. But like some mentioned, the water quality can vary drastically from one city to another.
