Brushing one’s teeth is a fundamental part of daily personal health, yet it is a routine that can silently consume a surprising amount of water. While the two minutes spent cleaning are non-negotiable for oral hygiene, the method used significantly affects water resources. Many people perform this routine without considering the continuous flow from the bathroom faucet. Understanding the hidden water footprint of this common habit reveals an opportunity for meaningful conservation in the home.
The Water Cost of an Open Faucet
When the tap is left running for the duration of a typical brushing session, water consumption can be quite high. Dental health organizations recommend brushing for two full minutes to ensure thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces. During this two-minute period, an average household faucet can easily waste approximately four gallons of water. This calculation is based on the flow rate of standard bathroom fixtures.
Older or traditional faucets can have a flow rate of up to 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM) when fully opened. Even newer models, which often have flow restrictors, may still operate around 1.5 GPM. Letting water rush down the drain while brushing serves no purpose, as this volume is sent directly into the wastewater system without ever being used for hygiene.
The Simple Act of Turning Off the Tap
The remedy to this unnecessary water usage is simple: interrupting the flow from the faucet during the two minutes of active brushing. This single action immediately eliminates the four gallons of water otherwise wasted in that session. Since most individuals brush their teeth twice a day, adopting this habit saves eight gallons of water daily.
The process begins by briefly turning on the tap to wet the toothbrush and perhaps dispense a small amount of water for rinsing the mouth later. Once the toothpaste is applied and brushing begins, the faucet should be turned completely off. The water flow is not needed again until the two-minute brushing time is complete.
Once the two minutes are finished, the water can be turned back on just long enough to rinse the toothbrush clean and take a small amount of water for mouth rinsing. Using a small cup for the final rinse is another effective technique, as it prevents the temptation to leave the faucet running while splashing water into the mouth. This simple change transforms the routine from a water-intensive habit into a highly efficient use of resources.
Daily Usage and Global Water Conservation
Accumulating the eight gallons saved each day by turning off the tap yields a substantial annual figure for a single person. Over the course of 365 days, this small behavioral change results in a personal saving of nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year. For a household of four, the collective savings multiply quickly, reaching nearly 12,000 gallons annually.
Scaling this conservation effort across communities demonstrates the immense collective influence of small, daily habits. Freshwater resources are finite, and only a tiny fraction of the planet’s water is readily available for human use. In regions facing drought and water scarcity, reducing daily consumption helps manage local water supplies and lowers the energy required for water treatment and distribution.
This conscious habit serves as a reminder to look for other opportunities to reduce water consumption in the bathroom. Installing a low-flow aerator on the faucet can reduce the GPM rate for other tasks, like washing hands. Taking shorter showers or using efficient showerheads also contributes to the larger goal of responsible water management.