ब्रश कर लो

You use this phrase just like a verb. Place it at the end of your sentence. It is very flexible. You can say it to your roommate or your younger brother. If you are talking to a child, you might say it more playfully. It is a complete thought on its own. You do not need many extra words to make it work.

Use it first thing in the morning. Use it right before bed. It is perfect for that awkward moment when your friend has morning breath. You can also use it after a messy meal. Imagine you just ate a giant chocolate cake. Your friend might point at their teeth and say this to you. It is a helpful, everyday phrase for close circles.

Do not use this with your boss. It is too personal for a professional setting. Telling a stranger to brush their teeth is also a bad idea. It might come off as an insult about their hygiene. Avoid using it in a formal meeting or a first date. Unless, of course, there is literally spinach in their teeth and you are being a hero.

In India, dental care has deep roots. Long ago, people used daatun (neem twigs) instead of plastic brushes. While most people use modern brushes now, the habit of morning tea before brushing is common. However, mothers in every Indian household will still yell ब्रश कर लो before breakfast is served. It is the universal sound of a morning starting in a middle-class home.

If you want to be very polite, say ब्रश कर लीजिए (Brush kar lijiye). For kids, people often say ब्रश कर लिया? (Brush kar liya?) to ask if they finished. If you are in a hurry, you might just say ब्रश करो (Brush karo). Some people also use the Hindi word for teeth: दांत साफ कर लो (Daant saaf kar lo). This means "clean your teeth."