Do you leave the water running when you brush your teeth, or do you turn it off?

You know, until people started asking this question, it never even occurred to me that someone might actually brush their teeth with the tap running. It is something I never crossed my mind. I mean, why would you? It really annoys me when I find out someone brushes their teeth with the water running. My dad is one of those culprits.

by Bryony Harrison

I'm the same way!

Always off. Australia is very drought prone so saving water has to be a priority.

by meggf

I grew up washing my teeth with the water running. It's a habit I constantly have to have to concentrate on breaking. I now brush without the water running most of the time, but every now and then I find myself unconsciously turning it on. It feels completely foreign to have off, but I don't know why I grew up wasting so much water in the first place.

by DamienR

No I certainly do not leave the water running!

I have an electric toothbrush that brushes for 2 minutes before "beeping".

I would not let water run that far as there are huge water restrictions in Perth and we have had nowhere near enough water for many years.

Dams are only one quarter full or some such and we can only water twice a week, so I think it is irresponsible to leave water running for 2 minutes for no reason.

I do not even leave it on while washing my hands which is far shorter -i am not generally so environmentally conscious however with water and our lack of it in WA, i am.

by Finy

yes I must admit I do. although in Boarding school we were made to use a glass of water, to use for the brush then to rinse the mouth out.

by flaga

Yes, because I'm in the shower with conditioner in my hair, so I use that 'wait' time to clean my teeth!
IF cleaning them at washbasin, tap gets turned OFF, as have to PAY for that water NOW!
Didn't when a kid, so used to let it run!

by donjo

I have to say I am a little guilty of this. However, I do try to remember. Living in Queensland we are very aware here of water shortages.

by norma

I always turned the water off when I clean my teeth, because I was told by my mother & my dentist years & years later, to always clean ‘your’ teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day, but I only clean them twice a day, if I’m going out, & I’m sorry to have to say, hardly ever for 2 minutes! Um.

by miro_