this post was submitted on 02 Oct 2025
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I sometimes catch people at work brushing their teeth only to leave their gunk in the sink. It's nasty. However, I commend them and envy them for committing to their dental hygiene.

How about you guys? Dig it? Not so much?

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[–] SethranKada@lemmy.ca 51 points 3 months ago (3 children)

From my perspective, the issue isnt them brushing their teeth, bit that they aren't cleaning up after themselves.

[–] thatradomguy@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

That's a good point. Do you by chance brush when you're in the office?

[–] wildwhitehorses@aussie.zone 0 points 2 months ago

Are they brushing in the bathrooms, where people wash their hands after using the toilet? Do they leave their toothbrushing kit in the bathroom? People who brush their teeth like this are nasty.

[–] th3dogcow@lemmy.world 21 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Do it every day. It is expected behavior in Japan. Before moving here I thought it was weird, though. Seems a reasonable idea both from an oral hygiene perspective and not wanting to have bad breath around co-workers and customers. Win, win.

[–] mfbatz@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Yeah, but people here don't floss. The main concern from most Japanese I've seen is having "white teeth" is more important than healthy gums/teeth. The amount of bad breath I've encountered is astonishing and it seems to be due to lack of flossing.

[–] voracitude@lemmy.world 18 points 3 months ago

I've done it. Circumstances sometimes demand, what are you gonna do? 🤷 But also, I always clean up after myself - wipe down around the sink if I splashed, and rinse the toothpaste out of the sink itself. That's just courtesy, professional and general.

[–] letsgo2themall@lemmy.world 13 points 3 months ago

I brush my teeth at work. every day after lunch. but I also know how to not leave a mess because I'm an adult. I've spent about $15,000 on my teeth in the last 10 years. So I try my best to take care of them. Just recently got dental insurance but it only covers a few things per year.

[–] Elextra@literature.cafe 7 points 3 months ago

I have someone I work with that brushes her teeth at work. I admire her dedication.

[–] d00phy@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I have far less issue with that than I do clipping nails at one’s desk!

[–] sefra1@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I brush my teeth only once a day and last time I went to the dentist, she said that teeth were perfect and that I must brush them like 2 or 3 times a day.

I told her that I only brush them once a day and sometimes forget it entirely and she was surprised.

Disclaimer: NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, follow your dentist's recommendations and not my personal edgecase as an example.

[–] ILoveUnions@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Brushing twice a day is somewhat more important for soda, high sugar standard American diets. I'm going to assume you have a low sugar, low sodas diet. I've had the same experience with dentists when I do once a day at most, once very other day at lower points, where they've said my teeth were quite clean. I think it's due to dietary choices--no soda, low sugar, low processed foods

[–] wesker@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 3 months ago

Much less egregious than leaving dishes in the kitchen sink.

[–] ieGod@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 months ago

It's weird, but whatever.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 3 points 2 months ago

As long as people clean up the toothpaste after they are done, I don't care.

[–] CaptSatelliteJack@lemy.lol 2 points 2 months ago

I definitely have a "late wakeup" kit that includes a travel toothbrush and toothpaste. Since I commute by bus and occasionally lose track of time in the morning, I am prepared to brush in the office if I have to. On average, maybe once every two weeks. So far, no one has seen me do it, but I do make it a point to clean up when I'm done.

[–] ethaver@kbin.earth 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I did when I had to wear a mask for 12h every workday. Since things relaxed I haven't gone back to it though.

[–] thatradomguy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

That's interesting actually. I always thought people were less inclined to brush because of wearing masks (maybe less worried about bad breath) but I can see it going the other way around as your experience has shown. Cool!

[–] fodor@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 months ago

Yes I brush. Coffee and lunch can get a little rough. Nobody would complain but why not do them and myself a favor.

[–] LadyButterfly@reddthat.com 2 points 2 months ago

I do this, but I rinse the sink. I've got anxiety and freak out about my teeth

[–] iamericandre@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago