Why Do We Brush Our Teeth With Cold Water?

18 July 2017, 15:22 | Updated: 19 July 2017, 13:34

Teeth Brushing
Teeth Brushing. Picture: Google Images

We wash our dishes and clothes with hot water, so why not our teeth? This caller wanted to know.

Question

If washing up pots and pans is better with hot water, why do we brush our teeth with cold water? Would it clean our teeth better to use hot water?

Nick, Woodford Green

Answer

Name: Ricardo, Hounslow

Answer: Hot water softens the bristles of the brush so it doesn’t clean your teeth as well as cold water

Name: James O'Brien

Answer: In the old days, hot water came from the boiler in the loft and was more susceptible to being tainted or dirty, whereas the cold water came straight from the mains. We use cold water because of tradition.