How Long Do You Spend Brushing Your Teeth?

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How Long Do You Spend Brushing Your Teeth?

July 15, 2009

You treat your body right by exercising and eating well, but are you spending enough time ensuring your mouth is healthy? According to NYC-based dentist Dr. Nancy Rosen, a sufficient dental hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth for two to three minutes and one to two minutes of flossing. Could you use brushing up on your brushing sessions?

Source: Getty

Teeth Healthy Living

24 Comments

3 years 42 weeks

Half a minute to a minute

danakscully64 3 years 44 weeks

I voted for less than 1 minute because realistically, I brush for about 45 seconds to a minute. I use an electric toothbrush and if I brush for too long, my gums bleed (wisdom teeth are pushing my teeth together, causing sensitive gums). I also floss and use mouth wash. I brush about 2-4 times a day. Every time I go to the dentist, the Hygienist tells me I have some of the cleanest teeth she's ever seen :) My teeth are in great shape.

Giasbash6260 3 years 44 weeks

I have an electric tooth brush that automatically runs for 2 minutes - it's pretty rockin' and I definitely see a difference in using an electric tooth brush as opposed to a man powered one because I used to have FAR WORSE receding gums that I do now!

thenekoling 3 years 44 weeks

My boyfriend sometimes spends 10 minutes brushing his teeth too. I don't get it! Around two minutes seems to work fine for me -- I've never had any cavities and my teeth are fine..

Spectra 3 years 44 weeks

1-2 minutes, usually. My dentist actually said that brushing TOO much can erode your enamel, especially if you use a whitening toothpaste.

sugar_me_sweet 3 years 44 weeks

I have a sonicaire also and I love it. When I'm in a rush I brush it for at least 2 minutes but I let it go for 2 cycles most of the time so I brush for about 4 minutes.

ilanac13 3 years 44 weeks

usually about 1-2 minutes. i try to do 30 seconds on each 1/4 of my mouth.

Nelly M 3 years 44 weeks

Doctors suggest to brush your teeth at least for 5 minutes ;)

boredgourdless 3 years 44 weeks

I'm a 1-2 minute brusher. It just depends on how clean my teeth feel after the first go-around. Though, I bought a hard bristled brush and now I think I've done something evil to my gums (probably brushing too hard).

3 years 44 weeks

Why 10min? Do have really bad teeth?

youyoujfm 3 years 44 weeks

My doctor told me brushing for 10 minutes

2muchtv 3 years 44 weeks

On American Gladiators 2000 (anyone else used to watch that show?), they said to spend minimum 2 min, so that's my aim. I count it out in my head, so it's probably more around 2:30

cg130 3 years 44 weeks

1-2 minutes, or 2-3 minutes depending on whether I'm in a hurry or not.

3 years 44 weeks

oh *posts not post

3 years 44 weeks

I'm the same as yogaforlife, although I'm really trying to stope brushing so hard, cause I am worried about my gums. Btw,could we have some post about 'teeth' gums? lol thanks.

Briandiesel 3 years 44 weeks

yah, Sonicare here too- makes it pretty much a no guess kinda thing..

runningesq 3 years 44 weeks

30 sec per 'quadrent' -- my electronic toothbrush buzzes when it's time to move on !

Talldiva45 3 years 44 weeks

around 2.5 - 3 minutes. I like to be thorough.

margokhal 3 years 44 weeks

I'm a pretty quick brusher...right around 1 - 1.5 minutes. I don't know, I've never had cavities or anything [though the dentist I have now says I've got two, but I don't believe him because he's said I've had various cavities over the years that "dissapeared" after getting a second opinion], but I do try to use the "sing 'Happy Birthday' twice" rule as a measure on how long to brush.

Yogaforlife 3 years 44 weeks

I brush too long, too hard, and too often! I'll start to brush and my husband comes in five minutes later and will tell me I need to stop! It's OCD for me. The dentist said I'm brushing my gums away and he has me use the softest toothbrush possible and I'm only allowed to brush 3x a day max. But I love that clean feeling!!!