Who Chooses to Brush Their Teeth While Showering?

Just when you believed global debates couldn't become more divisive, the controversy over brushing teeth in the shower emerges. Yes, you read that right—not at the sink, but in the shower. For many, this idea seems absurd or even unhygienic. "Absolutely not! No way. I mean, everyone has their preferences, but no!" exclaims Ellen Mangold from Thompson's Station, Tennessee, when asked about this habit. However, a notable number of people hold a completely different view.

"I always brush my teeth in the shower," shares Lily Curtis (a pseudonym) from Kenosha, Wisconsin. "It's been my routine for years, especially since switching to an electric toothbrush. It's incredibly convenient and eliminates any cleanup afterward."

So, Um, Why?

Curtis highlights the practicality of brushing teeth in the shower, emphasizing cleanliness. Even meticulous brushers often leave toothpaste residue in the sink unless they clean it thoroughly after each use—something many find time-consuming. This leads to another reason people favor shower brushing: efficiency. Bill Clements from Kennesaw, Georgia, adopted this habit during his military service and still practices it today. He explains in an email, "With 40-50 guys sharing five showers, five sinks, and five toilets, and everyone needing to be ready for inspection shortly after reveille, every second counted."

Michelle Brownlee from Spring Hill, Tennessee, began brushing her teeth in the shower during college. "We had shared bathrooms, so I kept a shower caddy with all my toiletries, including my toothbrush. Brushing in the shower meant one less task at the communal sinks," she shares via email. "Later, when I started my first job and was always rushing in the mornings, combining toothbrushing with hair conditioning felt like a smart way to save time."

Who's Right?

The dental community has yet to reach a unanimous stance on this topic. Dr. Steven Golubow, a dentist in Macon, Georgia, personally brushes in the shower. Like many professionals, his primary concern is encouraging better and more frequent brushing, regardless of the location. "Since most of my patients don't brush twice a day for two minutes, I support any method that promotes healthier oral hygiene habits," he states in an email.

His concerns are well-founded. A 2014 Delta Dental survey revealed that only 69% of Americans brush their teeth twice daily as recommended, leaving 31% with inadequate dental hygiene. The survey also indicated that 91% of Americans brush at the sink, while just 4% opt for the shower. Interestingly, individuals aged 18 to 44 are twice as likely to brush in the shower compared to older adults—a trend that has spurred the creation of specialized products like the one below:

Dr. Golubow advises shower brushers to keep an additional toothbrush by the sink. "Having to fetch your toothbrush from the shower might result in skipping the crucial nighttime brushing. As the saying goes, you brush in the morning for your friends and at night for your teeth."

Sophia Borghese from Southern Dental Care in New Orleans notes via email that "brushing teeth in the shower can indicate two things beyond efficiency: potential bacterial growth on the toothbrush or insufficient brushing."

She adds that shower brushers might not always focus on the task. "While multitasking, such as washing hair, it's common to overlook areas like the back teeth and tongue, which require thorough cleaning."

Storage Risks

She further explains that steam from a hot shower can carry bacteria from the drain, which may settle on the toothbrush. "This turns brushing into something akin to scrubbing with a dirty loofah." To prevent this, she recommends leaving the shower curtain open during the day to allow the brush to be exposed to fresh air.

Dr. Golubow addresses the bacteria issue by using a suction cup shelf placed at the back of his shower. "It's crucial that the toothbrush isn't left sitting in water for too long. A wire shelf or a specialized suction cup holder that allows the brush to air dry is ideal," he advises.