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?

    • wolf@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Fair and good question. I literally ask my dentist on every single visit the following points

      • is my dental hygiene ok?
      • do I damage my gums with my brushing?
      • what can I improve in my dental hygiene?

      The dentist always tells me it is okay and I cannot do more, than I am doing.

      • HeartyBeast@kbin.social
        2·
        1 year ago

        Since OP has firm views about what dentists says, I’m going to assume that they visit the dentist on occasion.

          • otl@lemmy.srcbeat.comEnglish
            13·
            1 year ago

            Ah yeah this hits a nerve for me: the idea that some individuals are the arbiters of medical science and knowledge. Answers to questions like “why should I brush my teeth” is something to be found in a textbook, hopefully at a public library, not to be dispensed out by some individual with fat fees.

      • wolf@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        This, so much!

        It really makes me angry, that there is no free dental hygiene training for children/teenagers.

        I life in a comparatively rich society (Germany), but our retarded health care system pumps billions every year in preventable diseases (like most dental problems) and exactly zero in prophylaxes.