Why do dentists always recommend to brush 2 times for 2-3 minutes?
Why do dentists always recommend to brush 2 times for 2-3 minutes?
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?
I think it's an average estimate, not a hard rule.
The exact time doesn't matter, but it's an approximate reference for how long you could aim for
- some people don't brush enough
- some people brush too much (harms enamel and damages gums)
In a sense, I guess op is right though — I recently read that ~70% of people in a study were brushing ineffectively, no matter how long they were told to brush. Their brushing only improved after being told to make sure to brush every every "sector" of their teeth.
The whole point is to not leave starches/sugars in places long enough for a biofilm of plaque to form.
The problem is, teeth are poorly shaped to clean and the interface of the gums is down right hard to get to.
So what they're trying to do is to get you to clean often enough that you manage to get some of the hard to get areas covered but not so often that you're sanding the enamel of your teeth.
My electric toothbrush does 30 seconds per quadrant, 2 minutes total. I'm 38 have zero cavities and my teeth are fine. I only brush once a day.
There’s other factors than just brushing your teeth but brushing is probably the easiest factor that most people can reasonably take control of.
Genetics, obviously you can’t do much about. But you can avoid sweets and decide not to get pregnant (hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause mouths to get more acidic and make plaque harder to remove, and can also soften the gums and bones that hold teeth in, or even weaken the teeth directly). Also, if you want nice teeth, it’s especially important to abstain from smoking crystal meth. And that’s even more important during pregnancy.
But telling everybody “brush twice a day for two minutes” is a small ask with huge returns.
Idk. I’ve been able to maintain a pretty consistent balance of crystal and healthy teeth. Every one of them that’ve fallen out have been nice, white, and cavity free.
But what's wrong with crystal meth? It always helps me to focus when I'm trying to brush my teeth.
I've always brushed my teeth twice a day and I've had like 6-8 cavities, a root canal, and an implant. There's more to it than brushing. Some of it is biological.
Sonicare or oral b?
I wish I had bought my sonicare much earlier than I did. Seems like the best way to keep your teeth healthy outside the dentist's office.
Seems expensive until you have a dental bill that is much more expensive. I highly recommend getting a sonicare.
So I've had something like 25-30 cavities filled in my life. I haven't had a single cavity in 10 years, though. I brush only once a day, and floss. The trick is flouride rinse afterwards. That's the secret.
but the fluoride is gonna turn me into a government sleeper agent!1!!?!
I'm also like you with my timing but most people I know say I take ages with my teeth. Apparently most people are done with their brushing in less than one minute. Therefore, dentists recommend spending at least two or three. I don't think you need to brush for less time than what you already are.
Thanks, good to hear, I am not the only one. :-)
What's your cavity situation like
Zero, why?
Have you asked your dentist?
Are you aware some of us can’t afford that?
This, so much!
It really makes me angry, that there is no free dental hygiene training for children/teenagers.
I life in a comparatively rich society (Germany), but our retarded health care system pumps billions every year in preventable diseases (like most dental problems) and exactly zero in prophylaxes.
Fair and good question. I literally ask my dentist on every single visit the following points
- is my dental hygiene ok?
- do I damage my gums with my brushing?
- what can I improve in my dental hygiene?
The dentist always tells me it is okay and I cannot do more, than I am doing.
You are harming your teeth if you brush them that much, that’s why. Overbrushing is just as bad as brushing too little.
That’s how much time it takes for the fluoride to take effect?
There are two things with brushing your teeth: first, the mechanical action of the brush and the microparticuls in the toothpaste will clean the tooth. Second, the fluorine in the toothpaste will consolidate the enamel of the tooth, but it needs a bit of time to be absorbed.
This is why it's important to use real toothpaste and not the natural shit you can do yourself at home.
So 2-3min is the right time to brush the tooth and allow the fluorine to be absorbed. Some dentists will also tell you to not rinse the mouth, only spit the saliva and paste, I imagine so that fluorine has more time to work.
Surely part of your 6 minutes is flossing and mouthwash though.
I systematically clean each surface but my electric toothbrush has an automatic timer that buzzes at the 2 min mark and its surprising how close it is. I normally only have one or two teeth to go.
Brush? Are you crazy! Plaque build up makes for a powerful bite. You'll need it to be at the top of the Zombie crowd.
i just go over my teeth twice with a manual brush.
Back in the day, it was recommended after every meal!