To run the tap while I brush my teeth

[EleanorHooverbelt]

even though I live in Scotland where it rains a lot and I don't get charged for water anyway?

I haven’t since Jason Orange told me not to on the Take That and Party longplay video in 1993.

I assumed everyone left the tap running whilst brushing. I do and am on a meter but also use shed loads for washing cars and other “unnecessary” things so it’s hardly worth worrying about.

It's impossible to waste water in Scotland. There is no shortage here, and any water used remains part of the water cycle. Run away

I can't believe anyone actually turns the shower on and off while they are using it! If I did that it would waste more water while it went scalding hot, freezing cold and back to normal. Anyway part of the pleasure of a shower is standing there while the water runs over me and sorts out my aches and pains!

It's impossible to waste water in Scotland. Its the energy used to clean and transport it that is wasted. Often referred to as WASTING WATER.

I guess people in Scotland dont believe in global warming either

I’ve been guilty of that in the past, but we’re on our own private water supply now and it’s made me really aware of how much I’m using etc so I try really hard to conserve water now both at home (and when away) so turn the water off when doing teeth, using a washing up bowl etc

Of course you pay for water in Scotand - it's paid via your council tax bill

Not for everyone in Scotland. I don't pay for any water on my council tax bill.

If you need to rinse your mouth out after brushing then you need to use a lot less toothpaste. You only need a smear.

Oh and not every area in the UK has a water supply with added or significant levels of fluroide.

When I wash the car (not often) I use a bucket of water and a sponge.

My shower doesn't get problematically hot and cold again so it's not a problem and certainly not wasteful.

Some people use a glass of water to clean their teeth I'm not that organised which makes it easier to remember not to leave the tap running.

Recent dental advice is to brush teeth with neat toothpaste first anyway, as water on brush just dilutes the flouride etc. So no actual need to switch on tap until after brushing, just to clean toothbrush.

Water is free in Scotland????

It was common to leave the tap running when I was a child; everyone I knew did it. But at some point when environmental issues became more prominent, I remember a school discussion about wasting water and resources, and we were encouraged to not run the tap throughout the brushing. I haven’t done so for a long time.

In fact, like other posters, I often brush them in the shower. I don’t rinse so just spit. I also turn the shower off temporarily while eg shaving legs as it takes a while.

I think its a tad unreasonable to be honest. I have started doing a two minute timed wall squat whilst brushing my teeth. I suggest you adopt this approach alleviating the need to run the tap.

Not only does it improve the appearance of your thighs, it helps strengthen your core muscles and ensures a thorough brush in line with dentist recommendations.

Oh and not every area in the UK has a water supply with added or significant levels of fluroide.

I should hope not. Fluoride is a toxic poison and can cause bone and tooth deformities.

I should hope not. Fluoride is a toxic poison and can cause bone and tooth deformities.

Water itself can be toxic if you invest enough.

Tinfoil hat back on and I’m sure everything will feel much better.

There is a legitimate question about whether water fluoridation is desirable or would make much difference given good-quality toothpastes etc around these days. But not about the risk.

JassyRadlett Tinfoil hat? I've experienced first-hand the problems caused by over-fluoridation, but feel free to keep sticking your head in the sand.

Tinfoil hat? I've experienced first-hand the problems caused by over-fluoridation, but feel free to keep sticking your head in the sand.

From fluoridated water in a developed country at WHO levels? That’s so astoundingly rare that there must be a journal write up about it. Can you share?

@JassyRadlett Here are a few:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11697585
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12000343
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10682330

@JassyRadlett And this is a particularly informative summary paper:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956646/

@Walkingdeadfangirl it is a bit different in Scotland - there is no shortage so we don't reuse water the way England does. Used water is treated and then returned to the sea. I do appreciate it needs this treatment though so I suppose you're right about that being a waste - but this process doesn't involve harsh chemicals or anything. The water is screened, sits in a tank til solids sink to the bottom (this is used for fertiliser or fuel), then bacteria eat chemicals and other waste until the water is cleaned and returned to the sea (where it's part of the water cycle once more).

So it's not wasted exactly!

Just as well you don't live in our house then, I'm like the Eco utilities police. Water, gas, electric. I don't even flush the loo with a wee every time if I'm home alone.

And I've never left the tap on whilst toothbrushing. Did people really used to do this years ago?

stick a cup or bowl under it while you are washing to give you an idea of how much water you are wasting - you will be shocked. besides, its not really free - somewhere along the line its been paid for by someone. Like the NHS is.

What on earth do you mean? You pay for water.

huff all those articles are related to fluoride levels and children. There's children's toothpaste which contain less or 0 fluoride so im not sure those articles are relevant to your argument.

The treatment still takes energy, though - you're not exactly catching rainwater and then using runoff on your fields, are you? So yes, still BU