this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2023
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I almost always read in the news/press that dentists recommend to brush teeth two times a day for 2-3 minutes.

This drives me crazy, because it does not make sense; The point for dental health is to systematical clean every surface of your teeth twice a day (and use inter-dental brushes/floss once a day). For me, brushing my teeth takes around 6 minutes, if I hurry up. For someone faster it might be possible in 1 minute.

So, why do dentists always give the 2-3 minutes recommendation?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

When I was growing up they used to say "brush after every meal" and then it became three times per day, now it's "please just brush twice at some point".

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I also got the 'brush after every contact with sugar' thingy.

The common agreement nowadays seems to be twice a day and the points are very clear: before you go to bed and soon after getting up in the morning, to bring some fluid to the nasty bacteria, remove their food and plaque from your teeth.

[โ€“] can 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Please wait at least 30 mins before brushing after sugary and especially acidic things.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[โ€“] can 5 points 9 months ago

Acid is still fresh on your teeth and you're just scraping it into the enamel breaking it down. You should wait or at least swish some water around.

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

You're right. When I grew up, I was told to brush three times as well, more I brush twice only. Not sure when or why that recommendation changed.