# What’s the smallest change you made in your life that made the biggest difference? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2023, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345 "2023-12-30T17:02:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/81 "2024-01-04T19:38:30Z")
Today I brushed my teeth for 30 seconds while standing on one foot and then for 30 more seconds while standing on the other foot and using the other hand. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/82 "2024-01-04T19:42:28Z")
Wouldn’t standing on one foot while brushing teeth tend to result in cutting short your teeth brushing time? [It’s too tiring standing on one foot so you quit] ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/83 "2024-01-04T20:02:53Z")
I’ve only been doing this for four days but I’ve stopped adding any salt to anything I eat. I’m a salt addict and I like my food to be super salty. Here’s a really odd thing though - my food tastes better somehow. It’s so weird. Maybe I’ve been covering up the actual taste of the food with all the salt? I don’t know but it’s been shockingly easy to just stop using salt. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/84 "2024-01-04T20:05:29Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Today I brushed my teeth for 30 seconds while standing on one foot and then for 30 more seconds while standing on the other foot and using the other hand. Well I’m going to try standing on one hand while brushing my teeth with my left foot. The health impact should be significant! As in a trip to the ER. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/85 "2024-01-04T20:09:01Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Wouldn’t standing on one foot while brushing teeth tend to result in cutting short your teeth brushing time? [It’s too tiring standing on one foot so you quit] My electric tooth brush has a thing where is does an extra pulse every 30 seconds specifically so one brushes their teeth for long enough. I did 30 seconds per foot. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/86 "2024-01-04T20:15:55Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > My electric tooth brush has a thing where is does an extra pulse every 30 seconds specifically so one brushes their teeth for long enough. I did 30 seconds per foot. Same. I brush each quadrant for 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes. The foot stands are a great way to pass that time. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/87 "2024-01-04T21:02:00Z")
Same. If I lose my balance I just try again, one minute each side. I can make it close to one minute. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/88 "2024-01-04T23:24:03Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Same. I brush each quadrant for 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes. You guys spend a lot more time brushing your teeth than I do. A lot more. I’d estimate I’m 20 to 30 seconds total (with a good electric brush at least). Good for you. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/89 "2024-01-04T23:31:21Z")
My dentist said I should be doing two minutes per session but that’s not happening. I’ve never had a cavity, which is more because of fortunate genetics than anything, so I am fine saving that one minute a day. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/90 "2024-01-04T23:31:56Z")
I have horrible teeth and gums and have to be very proactive at keeping my teeth from falling out. My dad already had dentures at my age and my mom wasn’t far behind. I brush a minimum of twice a day (sometimes after lunch as well) and floss every day as well. My wife can floss once a year and still have great teeth and gum health. Edit to add: I also get my teeth cleaned 3x per year. It used to be 4x/year but I’ve upped my cleaning regiment where I can go a bit less often. Still feels like I’m in there all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/91 "2024-01-05T00:24:42Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You guys spend a lot more time brushing your teeth than I do. A lot more. I’d estimate I’m 20 to 30 seconds total (with a good electric brush at least). Good for you. My teeth were surviving my dangerous lifestyle just fine until I had a kid. Suddenly I’m getting cavities all the damned time. So I have to stick with the two minutes. Twice a day. And floss. Every damned time, even on sick days. I _hate_ dental work. > **[A Surprising Side Effect of Giving Birth](https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/07/link-between-giving-birth-and-getting-cavities/619576/)** > > The curious link between motherhood and dental problems It’s easier with an electric toothbrush. It automatically tells you when to switch quadrants. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/92 "2024-01-05T00:40:18Z")
I don’t understand the point of brushing for a specific set amount of time. I brush until I’ve cleaned all the teeth (and gum) surfaces. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/93 "2024-01-05T01:49:18Z")
well given that you have a constant number of teeth, shouln’t that translate more or less into a constant amount of time to clean them? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/94 "2024-01-05T02:11:51Z")
I really hated brushing for 2 minutes when I started since it seemed an eternity. I’ve been doing it long enough that it no longer feels that way. And, now I have something productive to do while brushing 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/95 "2024-01-05T12:24:28Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I don’t understand the point of brushing for a specific set amount of time. I brush until I’ve cleaned all the teeth (and gum) surfaces. This. I did go to electric though. Huge difference. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/96 "2024-01-05T16:07:54Z")
I’m sure two minutes is completely arbitrary, but I don’t trust my own judgment on how long is enough, and I imagine the “two minute rule” came out of dentists’ frustration with most people not spending enough time brushing. ETA: I think raising the head of my bed 6’’ may be improving my air flow a bit. It definitely feels more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/97 "2024-01-05T16:45:52Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’m sure two minutes is completely arbitrary, but I don’t trust my own judgment on how long is enough, and I imagine the “two minute rule” came out of dentists’ frustration with most people not spending enough time brushing. I used to dread the dentist (I still do, but not quite to the same degree). Cleanings were a bloody gums mess and those gum pocket depth checks were 4 and 5s everywhere it seemed. Once I got serious about stepping it up, including 2 minute brushing with an e-brush and mandatory flossing, it basically takes a chainsaw to get my gums to bleed and those depth checks are all 2 and 3s. I think changing my teeth cleaning habits was one of the best changes I’ve made…not sure why I didn’t do it sooner. 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/98 "2024-01-06T01:52:25Z")
Because you wanted life coach advice in the form of an advent calendar? > **[Arthur Brooks’s 31 Days to a Better You](https://www.theatlantic.com/how-to-be-a-better-person-advice-arthur-brooks/)** > > Flip the cards for a piece of advice from The Atlantic’s happiness columnist, Arthur Brooks. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/99 "2024-01-06T12:45:15Z")
Buying a bidet (attachment for my toilet). $40. 15 minutes to install. Unbelievable quality of life improvement. Now I can barely stand to do my business without one. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345/100 "2024-01-06T16:37:21Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Buying a bidet (attachment for my toilet). $40. 15 minutes to install I just did the same recently. Really easy to install too, but you have to be very careful not to knock into the little outrigger with the control knobs on it. It’s flimsy plastic and if it breaks off, the internal passages will be exposed and cause an epic flood. > [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Now I can barely stand to do my business without one. Indeed. Anymore, not using one would feel unsanitary bordering on barbaric. Saw them ( and used them ) during a couple trips overseas and thought “These people are light years ahead of us”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-smallest-change-you-made-in-your-life-that-made-the-biggest-difference/995345.md?page=6)