To think many people massively underestimate three minutes?

[brightwhiteteeth]

In my line of work I assist people with teeth brushing and the number of people who slosh a toothbrush around for less than thirty seconds then think they've brushed their teeth.

My brother does this and his teeth are dreadful.

AIBU to make DCs brush for a designated amount of time, such as for the entire length of a song, to get them used to how long they should actually brush for?

[mousmous]

we do 'happy birthday'
one verse for upper, one for lower teeth.
it's still less than 3 min but teeth are ok and get compliments from the dentist.

[LadyIsabellaWrotham]

YANBU. DD has a sand timer, and DS has been told by the hygienist to count to three on each tooth surface. Timers for children (electronic or sand) are widely available (though usually 2 minutes rather than the three it takes to do every single surface thoroughly).

[WorraLiberty]

Please tell me you didn't name change for this and your NN is just a coincidence?

You can get toothbrushes with flashing handles. When they stop flashing, it means the correct amount of time is up.

[WorraLiberty]

I have to admit I read the thread title and thought this was going to be a complaint about your sex life

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

There's an Aquafresh app with a timer and a song and things.

[UriGeller]

I suppose it depends how many teeth they have. I think the '3 seconds per tooth surface' is a good idea.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

I thought you were meant to brush for 3 minutes? We have the aqua fresh app. Dc love it, even the 9 year old!

[brightwhiteteeth]

Worra

I always name change if I have to mention/might be asked about work!

Like the sound of the app :)

[IneedAwittierNickname]

2 minutes even. Stupid fat fingers

[brightwhiteteeth]

It's meant to be at least 3 minutes but I tend to brush mine for about 10 and encourage the DCs to brush for about 5.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

We have a teeth timer

[IneedAwittierNickname]

I was told you could over brush as well though surely 10 minutes is too long?

[brightwhiteteeth]

Mine feel lovely and clean and I love it.

They're in really good condition so I guess it works for me :)

[WorraLiberty]

10 minutes?

Do you have any gums left? Lol

[brightwhiteteeth]

I think it might be because I have all four wisdom teeth, and they are humongous, it takes a while to brush each one properly, going around the tooth if you see what I mean!

I love that just brushed feeling!

[Strokethefurrywall]

I sing zipadeedoodah to DS whilst brushing his teeth, or the Alphabet song twice to make sure his teeth are clean. Makes it harder that he wants to sing along with me!

DH and I have a Philips Sonicare Flexcare fancypants toothbrush that times everything for you, and at my teeth cleaning last week my dentist told me my teeth and gums were excellent

I was fairly surprised given my lax attitude to dental care in the past but just proves that the toothbrushes are worth it.

[Hopefully]

My gums started to recede from over brushing, and my dentist told me that it's pretty common - I now brush mine down from the gum and for no more than 3 mins. I never even knew over brushing was a thing till I started suffering agonising sensitivity, makes me cross that it's never mentioned.

[BabyMarmoset]

10mins??? do you have any teeth left? Surely they must be worn away?

I'm a quick brush around once a day - maybe 30 seconds or so. I've had 2 cavities my entire life - dentist says teeth are in good shape. They are not American white, but they are good enough.

DH brushes his about every two months - hasn't been to a dentist in 15 years. Never has had any pain and they are a bit too coloured for my liking (coffee addict) but not yellow in any way.

Each to their own I guess...

[brightwhiteteeth]

Marmoset - every two months?

Yuck!

[BoiledPiss]

Brushes his about every two months???

Is that a typo?

[WorraLiberty]

2 months???

Ewww! Why even bother at all?

[BeCool]

I thought it was recommended to brush for 2 minutes?

Regardless, I manage about 30 seconds before I start physically gagging and I have been like this most of my adult life.

Dentist has always told me I am a good brusher who could do with a little more floss. I'm 46 now- so doing OK with the 30 secs - I do more if I can.

The AquaFresh Ap is 2 minutes..

[Ilovefluffysheep]

Every 2 months? What about morning breath? That's gross!

[ICanSeeTheSun]

I dread brushing my teeth, I vomit every time.

Do around a minute for me until I can't bear it.