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Pastsimple Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

to brush / clean one's teeth

Hi,

could you please tell me which is more frequent: "to brush one's teeth" or "to clean one's teath", such as in:

She cleans her teeth every day. / She brushes her teeth every day.

Is there any difference between the two expressions? I mean, does/can the verb clean imply the usage of a tool other than a tootbrush (e.g. dental floss)?

Thanks in advance, as always.
  

Top answer

In the speech of my friends and acquaintances during my entire life I have only heard "brush one's teeth", never "clean one's teeth". ) You go to a dentist to have your teeth cleaned once every six months. This is quite an elaborate procedure compared to brushing or flossing one's teeth.

— CalifJim

  • In the speech of my friends and acquaintances during my entire life I have only heard "brush one's teeth", never "clean one's teeth".
  • ) You go to a dentist to have your teeth cleaned once every six months.
  • This is quite an elaborate procedure compared to brushing or flossing one's teeth.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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In the speech of my friends and acquaintances during my entire life I have only heard "brush one's teeth", never "clean one's teeth". (U.S.)

You go to a dentist to have your teeth cleaned once every six months. This is quite an elaborate procedure compared to brushing or flossing one's teeth.

CJ
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CalifJimIn the speech of my friends and acquaintances during my entire life I have only heard "brush one's teeth", never "clean one's teeth". (U.S.)

You go to a dentist to have your teeth cleaned once every six months. This is quite an elaborate procedure compared to brushing or flossing one's teeth.

CJ

Thanks for the answ
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How about "wash"?

Can you say that you wash your teeth three times a day?
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No, it's not idiomatic.
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