Where do 4% of Americans brush their teeth?

Where Do Americans Really Brush Their Teeth? (Hint: Not Just the Bathroom)

It’s a routine most of us follow without thinking: grab the toothbrush, squeeze on the paste, and head to the sink. According to a Delta Dental survey, 91 percent of Americans stick to this tradition, brushing their teeth in the bathroom over the sink. It’s the default setting for oral hygiene—logical, convenient, and, frankly, expected.

But then there’s the other 4 percent—those who’ve turned their morning (or nightly) shower into a full-service grooming session. That’s right: they brush their teeth in the shower.

At first glance, it sounds a bit unusual, maybe even messy. But when you think about it, there’s a certain efficiency to it. Why rinse your mouth twice—once after brushing, once after showering—when you can do both at once? For multitaskers and time-crunched commuters, combining routines makes sense. Plus, with the water already running, cleanup is practically effortless.

Still, dentists usually recommend brushing over the sink to avoid slippery toothpaste on shower floors and to ensure proper spit-and-rinse technique. But the fact that 4 percent of Americans are doing it suggests it’s more than just a quirky habit—it’s a quiet trend in personal efficiency.

Whether you're Team Sink or Team Shower, one thing’s clear: most of us aren’t skipping the brush. And that’s a win for dental health, no matter where the brushing happens.