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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Brushing teeth in the shower...

118 replies

Flingingmelon · 14/09/2015 08:41

I'm teaching DS he can brush his teeth in the shower, as my mum taught me. It all goes down the plug hole, the head gets cleaned regularly, no problems.

DH found out and went nuts. He says it's disgusting as disgusting as the bathroom sink after he's brushed his?
In the interests of household harmony I know I need to stop.

But more importantly, who's right?

OP posts:

Evenhasawatermark · 14/09/2015 09:47

We all brush teeth and wee in the shower here, DP and I sometimes even do it together-so much water saved!

gamerchick · 14/09/2015 09:49

I don't see why it matters except warm water isn't that great. I won't do it because I'm prone to accidents and that for me could be a scene from final destination. I guess I'm that extra cautious with the kids because I'm accident prone.

ConfusedInBath · 14/09/2015 09:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Makeminered · 14/09/2015 09:50

It has never ever crossed my mind to do this, I'm beyond mind boggled. And to this this is a natural event for so many people.

I'm in the, "it sounds yuck" category, but I've no idea why either.

LadyNym · 14/09/2015 09:56

MN is good for a laugh about what people find 'disgusting' and 'dirty'. I don't clean my teeth in the shower because I often clean my teeth earlier in the morning (with an ASD preschooler and a toddler who climbs everything it can be a while before I get a chance to shower) or clean my teeth whilst the shower's heating up. But I don't get what would be 'dirty' about it?

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2015 09:56

This has come up a few times on MN. it's always a split vote-

It's grim but I can't explain why

I do it all the time

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 14/09/2015 10:06

Why on earth would it be disgusting?

NationMcKinley · 14/09/2015 10:10

We all brush our teeth in the shower at McKinley Towers. I think it stems from living in a house that had a flat roof extended morgue bathroom that was about -20 even in August. Brushing your teeth in the shower delayed the inevitable getting out and freezing your arse off

BertieBotts · 14/09/2015 10:12

It feels gross to me but I can't think of a logical reason why. So even though I wouldn't do it, you're fine to.

I HATE it when people insist something is wrong but then can't explain why. Give me a reason, and I'll listen. Otherwise, fuck off

RiverTam · 14/09/2015 10:43

I'm still boggled about the leaving-conditioner-to-soak-in - I thought that had stopped having to be a thing years ago? Like in the 90s or something! Which is why there's now intensive conditioners for when your hair needs a bit extra, and those you go leave for a few mins? But that's not what you would use regularly, is it?

Sorry, OP, but off the point!

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2015 10:44

I just follow what it says on the bottle River.

DoJo · 14/09/2015 10:48

I don't because:

a) I don't like brushing with hot water
b) I don't have any 'spare time' in the shower so I would be just running the shower for 2 unnecessary minutes
c) I would have to reach out of the shower to get the brush and paste and that seems like it's destined to end in a flood
d) I use my toothbrushing time to let my deodorant dry and moisturiser soak in, so if my teeth were already done I would need to hang around naked for a couple of minutes anyway, thus saving no time but significantly increasing the chances of the postman knocking just while I was getting into full on bare nekkid interpretative dance time.

I wouldn't call it disgusting (except for the sensation of brushing with warm water which I accept is a personal judgement call) but I'm intrigued that so many people have a 3 minute window during their shower when they aren't doing anything else with their hands!

Mintyy · 14/09/2015 10:53

I find it the thought truly yuck because I would never rinse my mouth with hot water, it doesn't feel as clean and refreshing as cold water to me. Also, although its different now, I was brought up in a house with a hot water tank and we were always taught as children that that water was not as clean as cold water direct from the mains. Tanks fill up with sludge and rust ... it was always strictly impressed on us never to drink from the hot water tap.

So that's why I am averse to the idea. Hope that satisfies those people who need an explanation.

sproketmx · 14/09/2015 10:56

Just brush wherever in this house. Been known to brush in the kitchen with a cup if hubby has stank out the bathroom there isn't a right or wrong I don't think

gamerchick · 14/09/2015 10:56

Yeah I was thinking of the hot water tank thing of the childhood. Properly drummed into you not to drink the water as it wasn't clean enough to drink. Didn't birds and whatnot sometimes get into that tank?

BertieBotts · 14/09/2015 11:00

I also like to brush in front of a mirror, and a mirror in the shower would steam up.

In fact the hot water also rings a bell, perhaps the idea of drinking hot water is still ingrained as being wrong!

Makeminered · 14/09/2015 11:00

Yes that could be the reason. The dreaded hot water tank. Deep ingrained childhood rules.

I had to give myself a telling off recently. I went into the toilet eating a hard boiled sweet. It felt so wrong to be eating in the toilet. I had to tell myself not to be stupid, that there wasn't a risk of germs being spread around eating a sweet that was already in my mouth.

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2015 11:03

You aren't supposed to rinse though Mintyy. I certainly don't swallow any water. I put the brush quickly under the spray, apply the paste and brush for two minutes. No rinsing.

My Dad used to say something about not drinking from the bathroom tap or something in the 70s though.

Preminstreltension · 14/09/2015 11:04

I do this - and with my electric toothbrush. I'm assuming that it's safe since it's destined for a wet place anyway..

My toothbrush and paste live on the little shelf in the shower - I get them out for the evening brush but put them back in there afterwards. Floss in front of the mirror though.

MrsMorton - I've often wondered how a toothbrush should be cleaned. What do you do?

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2015 11:06

This from the NHS website-

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste, but don't rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

Mintyy · 14/09/2015 11:07

I know I'm not supposed to rinse but I do. Not had a filling in 40 years.

00100001 · 14/09/2015 11:08

oh... you're supposed to rinse?

diddl · 14/09/2015 11:36

I still don't get how it saves water.

I wet my toothbrush,turn off water, put paste on, clean teeth, spit, rinse brush, splash water on spit for it to go down plug hole if necessary.

LadySheherazade · 14/09/2015 11:37

I do sometimes. I'm not fussed either way. I am utterly perplexed at those saying it's grim!

KoalaDownUnder · 14/09/2015 12:19

Oh god. Add to the list of 'gross' things on mumsnet:

using towels more than once
having a toilet brush
washing anything in cold water

And now...brushing your teeth in the shower.

It's a whole different universe

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