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Why do dentists always recommend to brush 2 times for 2-3 minutes? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 11 months ago by wolf@lemmy.zip to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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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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[–] rgb3x3@beehaw.org 30 points 11 months ago (16 children)

Because it should take you about 2 minutes to brush your teeth.

If you're actually brushing for 6 minutes straight, you're overdoing it and damaging your enamel and gums.

Brush gently, floss thoroughly.

[–] wolf@lemmy.zip 4 points 11 months ago (9 children)

Seriously, I have no idea how one could brush teeth in 2 minutes. I brush gently, use the simple swipe away from the gum technique and just work systematic chewing surfaces, inner surfaces, outer surfaces. Each part gets 2-3 swipes. I had a professional dental cleaner teach this technique to me, and she also told me that she couldn't finish within 3 minutes. (Do not misunderstand me; I would happily get away with 2 minutes.) BTW flossing is another interesting topic, AFAIK there is no study which can show that flossing helps your teeth/gum. (I floss daily, but I just cannot understand why there is no study which supports this practice.)

[–] soupcat@sopuli.xyz 6 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I only floss when I can't get something out from my teeth, but I hate the feeling of things in my teeth so I often take a drink of water and aggressively rinse and like force the water through my teeth. Never had any dental issues, so 🤷

[–] BolexForSoup@kbin.social 4 points 11 months ago

I got a waterpick six months ago and at my most recent dental cleaning they complimented me on how fantastic my teeth looked. Honestly, it feels incredibly refreshing to use. I use it with 50% water, 50% mouthwash.

[–] Admetus@sopuli.xyz 3 points 11 months ago

And stuff like meat getting stuck leads to pain in the gums and a nasty odour which is indeed rotting meat. Definitely getting that out!

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