How do you brush your teeth?

[Daniel Magix]

Recently, my wife and sister-in-law-to-be were insisting that my brother and I were weird, because of the way we brush our teeth.

My routine is as follows...
1) Remove tooth brush from holder, and run under very hot water for a few seconds.
2) Apply some toothpaste.
3) Brush teeth.
4) Rinse mouth out.
5) Run toothbrush under very hot water again to clean.
6) Shake off extra water from toothbrush.
7) Replace toothbrush in holder.

This was just always the way I brushed. But apparently, the ladies thought it was bizarre that we ran the brush under hot water first. They apparently just use cold water.

My logic was that the hot water does two things: a) it does a better job of removing/killing any little creatures or dust or whatever may have found it's way into my brush overnight or during the day. And b) it softens up the bristles and makes for a more enjoyable brushing experience.

They didn't really buy into my logic, but I thought it made sense.
So I am curious what is more the norm, hot water or cold when brushing?

[mrkilla]

wheres the neither option, after brush yes hot water, prior to brushing no water. I remember something that your not suppose to because it acts more like a polisher then a "scrub" type brush on your teeth.

[bosoxfan]

I brush with cold and use hot to rinse the brush after

[crunchy1]

I would think that having the water hot enough to kill bacteria would result in an unenjoyable brushing experience?! No?

[dcasper70]

hot.

I have some areas that are overly sensitive to cold (not cavities, just recessed gumline areas), so that's my reason...

Your wife & sis-in-law are weird for making a big deal about it.

[Daniel Magix]

[ QUOTE ]
Your wife & sis-in-law are weird

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

[Film]

My routine is as follows

1. Pour Crest Mountwash in cup rinse in my mouth
2. turn on cold water and run toothbrush udnerneath it
3. spit out mouthwash
4. put tooth paste on toothbrush
5. put toothbrush under water for a quick second
6. brush teeth, spit, brush teeth, spit
7. run tooth brush under water to get toothpaste off brush and brush again.
8. use my hand to form a cup to put water in my mouth. Rinse spit
8. put toothbrush away.

[Slade19]

I prefer this method.

I got mine for free from my dentist. Best toothbrush I've ever owned.

And I use this for flossing. It's easily the best toothcare invention ever. Who the hell actually flosses when you have to wind the 2 feet of floss around your fingers and dig in there and whatnot?

I don't know about you, but my hands don't fit in my mouth very well. This thing is awesome.

[Daniel Magix]

[ QUOTE ]
I would think that having the water hot enough to kill bacteria would result in an unenjoyable brushing experience?! No?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, you silly sally. The toothbrush doesn't really retain the heat of the water for more than a second or two. By the time you brush, the toothbrush is not really hot or anything.

Well, so far, looks like I AM the minority, as most people seem to do their preliminary toothbrush rinse with cold water.

[bisonbison]

For flossers: mouthwash, floss, brush or floss, wash, brush?