The average person spends about 48 seconds per day brushing their teeth. But let’s be honest, most of us are lucky to squeeze in a quick brush after breakfast before dashing off to work – while some of us are using one hand to shove kids in the car for school while quickly scrubbing our pearly whites with the other.
Next time you brush your teeth, count silently in your head and see how long you tend to brush. Chances are… it won’t be long enough. Most dentists recommend 2 minutes (on the low end) and preferably 3 minutes for an effective brushing experience. If you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be getting your teeth clean enough. And if you leave behind bacteria on the teeth after brushing, it could lead to serious problems.
Here’s a few solutions to make sure we get the job done right.
- Invest in an electronic toothbrush with a self- timer.
- Put on one of your favorite songs and go to town, making sure to not quit til the final note.
- Use the stopwatch or timer feature on your phone.
- Grab a sand timer from a board game.
- Or, go totally old school and use a real life clock.
Life happens. We get it. And in the same way it’s hard to brush your teeth the correct amount of time, it’s just as hard to make sure you get you and your family in for your regular dental check-up. But here’s the reality. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Seeing someone regularly will save you money, pain & time in the long-run.
If it’s been a while since your last visit – we’re here. We’d love to meet you.