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?
Because it should take you about 2 minutes to brush your teeth.
If you’re actually brushing for 6 minutes straight, you’re overdoing it and damaging your enamel and gums.
Brush gently, floss thoroughly.
Adding to this, also make sure to floss gently.
My hygienist told me I was flossing too hard lol.
One reason why I enjoy my electric toothbrush, as it vibrates every 30 seconds to tell you to switch to the next quadrant, up to 2 minutes. No guesswork, and it brushes better than I ever could using a regular toothbrush.
Seriously, I have no idea how one could brush teeth in 2 minutes. I brush gently, use the simple swipe away from the gum technique and just work systematic chewing surfaces, inner surfaces, outer surfaces. Each part gets 2-3 swipes. I had a professional dental cleaner teach this technique to me, and she also told me that she couldn’t finish within 3 minutes. (Do not misunderstand me; I would happily get away with 2 minutes.) BTW flossing is another interesting topic, AFAIK there is no study which can show that flossing helps your teeth/gum. (I floss daily, but I just cannot understand why there is no study which supports this practice.)
I only floss when I can’t get something out from my teeth, but I hate the feeling of things in my teeth so I often take a drink of water and aggressively rinse and like force the water through my teeth. Never had any dental issues, so 🤷
I got a waterpick six months ago and at my most recent dental cleaning they complimented me on how fantastic my teeth looked. Honestly, it feels incredibly refreshing to use. I use it with 50% water, 50% mouthwash.
And stuff like meat getting stuck leads to pain in the gums and a nasty odour which is indeed rotting meat. Definitely getting that out!
https://jdh.adha.org/content/96/3/8
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2008.00336.x
https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2006.050362
Wait, so the summary states clearly, that a.) flossing is effective b.) mouth rinsing is more effective?!? It seems to good to be true, why does not every producer of mouth rinsing make advertisement with this? I also always ask my dentists about tips for dental hygiene, and none every recommend mouth rinsing. (Germany)
Some of the newer rinses keep plaque at bay for quite awhile. It’s incredibly obvious when I happen to run out before buying a new bottle.
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I was stupid enough to believe the interview with a dentist a few month back in a reputable German newspaper. Now I feel dump for not doing my own research. Thanks for helping me out of ignorance!
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lol
I think 6 minutes is fine though
No, it’s not. I have never brushed my teeth too hard and have always used very soft toothbrushes, but I used to brush for 6-7 minutes, and my gums have suffered for it. Way too much of my teeth are now exposed, which is both ugly and causes sensitivity.
In the long run, if one keeps this up, teeth will start falling out.
Don’t overbrush.
Oh really. I’m a fast brusher so I don’t know how it is to overbrush.
I am sorry to read about your gum problems, fingers crossed it does not get worse!