There ya go!! =)

I have an answer for the timing thing. I brought my timer into the bathroom. I set it to 3 minutes (just to see if it went over). I did the brushing, and the thing beeped every 30 seconds, then it went to 4 long beeps and gave me a smiley face.

How long???

2 minutes exactly.

So now we know!!!

lol

melody

Lol... thanks for all the discussion. I had many misunderstandings, which are now getting clarified!
Thanks to Bryanna too!!!
Keep posting!

Yes the normal time to brush with a manual brush is 7-8 minutes. Electrical brushes reduce this time by half

I would suggest you to follow your common sense rather then following an electrical piece of equipment.
What is important in brushing your teeth is that you have to brush in sequence meaning that you have to start from the left and finish on the right. ( This way you wont miss any spots) Once you have finished your labial or facial side you start with the lingual side. When you are done with the upper teeth start in the same sequence with the lower teeth.

Here you are exaggerating a bit. A Dental Hygienist will never tell you to brush and floss after every meal because it is unrealistic. Nobody does and it is not necessary to do so. There are other methods to reduce acid attack after snacks or light meals.
I will give you five tips that will help you maintain an excellent oral hygiene without having to carry your toothbrush everywhere you go.
1-First of all after every meal you have to wait at least 15 minutes before you brush your teeth ( The enamel is vulnerable after eating due to the acid attack and the abrasive bristles can wear it away with time) So wait untill this acid attack is over 15 minutes is believed to be the ideal time
2- When you eat sweets try to consume them in the least amount of time possible. ( The longer you expose your teeth to sweets the longer the they are exposed to the acidic environment that is created in the mouth.
3- rinse your mouth with water after every thing you eat
4- A recent study but also based on my experience Flossing has a greater impact in oral hygiene then brushing so it is preferable and more realistic for the majority of people to floss rather then brush after everything you eat during the day.
5- try to eat cariostatic foods like plain yogurt, apple, drink water, chew sugar free gums
I hope it helps