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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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[–] OtisRamflow@lemm.ee 21 points 11 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] jasondj@ttrpg.network 8 points 11 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] DriftingDeep@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

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.

[–] SheDiceToday@eslemmy.es 1 points 11 months ago

But what's wrong with crystal meth? It always helps me to focus when I'm trying to brush my teeth.

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

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.