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How Long to Brush

Despite the variety and advancements in toothbrushes today, people don't brush long enough to get the best results. That's about two to three minutes – twice a day.

The average person brushes for less than a minute. This is not long enough to reach all areas of the mouth and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria.

The average person brushes:

In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1" by 1/2") for easy access to all areas of the mouth, teeth and gums. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp and soft, nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth. A soft, rounded, multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively. Press just firmly enough to reach the spaces between the teeth as well as the surface. Medium and hard bristles are not recommended.

The average person brushes:

• Two minutes a day
• 14 minutes a week
• 12.1 hours a year
• 38.5 days in their lifetime

The average person should brush: