Brush Teeth — 2 minutes (ADA)

Why exactly 2 minutes?

The American Dental Association recommends 2 minutes twice daily:

• Less than 2 min = inadequate cleaning
• More than 4 min = risk of enamel wear

The 4-quadrant method

Divide mouth into 4 sections — 30 seconds each:

1. 0-30 sec — Upper right (outer-inner-chewing surfaces)
2. 30-60 sec — Upper left
3. 60-90 sec — Lower right
4. 90-120 sec — Lower left + tongue

Correct technique

• Angle brush at 45° to gums
• Small circular motions — not back-and-forth scrubbing
• Use only 100-150g of pressure (test on a scale — less than you'd think!)
• Soft bristles only

Common mistakes

• ❌ Brushing too hard — causes gum recession
• ❌ Brushing too fast — splays bristles
• ❌ Skipping tongue — bacteria buildup + bad breath
• ❌ Using same brush > 3 months — worn bristles

After brushing

• Floss daily — once
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash
• No food/drink (except water) for 30 minutes

For kids

• Play 2-minute song timer (kids love it)
• Parent supervision under age 6
• "Rice-grain" amount of fluoride toothpaste for small children