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I can't think of a proper word to use here... for example, in a hypothetical schedule there might be this:

Shower - 9:30
Teeth brushing - 9:40

But teeth brushing seems very strange/unnatural. Is there a single-word for "brushing of the teeth", as shower is to "washing of the body"?

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  • The reason there's no separate word for "teeth brushing" like there is for "showering" is that teeth cleaning in general can be separated into multiple different categories: brushing, flossing, tongue scrubbing, rinsing of the mouth (with water/alcohol). Meanwhile, hygiene of the body is relatively symple in general: just wash it.
    – user180089
    Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 19:18
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    On a schedule, most people would probably use the infinitive/imperative form of the verb: "brush teeth - 9:40".
    – herisson
    Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 22:08
  • @sumelic What if this were a history log instead of a future schedule, it would have to be changed to "brushed teeth". Or imagine a scenario where one must specify a quantity, ex. "five showers and six brush teeth"?
    – davidtgq
    Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 22:25
  • Why not just draw shower 🚿 symbol and tooth 🦷 symbol? Much more easier to glance.
    – Fennekin
    Commented Jan 7, 2022 at 1:51

2 Answers 2

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The Wikipedia article on teeth cleaning gives prophylaxis, odontexesis, and odontexis. However, this medical jargon seems more applicable to the professional cleaning done by a dental hygienist.

I do not know of a one-word noun for "brushing of teeth", but "tooth brushing" might be more natural than "teeth brushing" because noun adjuncts are more often singular than plural.

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Just write- dentifrice 1. [n] a substance for cleaning the teeth; applied with a toothbrush

http://lookwayup.com/lwu.exe/lwu/d?s=f&w=dentifricing#n/2555378

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    Why? That's just a fancy word for toothpaste.
    – Helmar
    Commented Jul 23, 2016 at 18:45

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