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You must hold your mouth closed and keep the thermometer in place for a certain period of time. If you have a digital thermometer, it will tell you when it's "done". If you are using an old "Mercury thermometer", the thermometer must stay under the tongue for at least a minute to 2 minutes.

NOTE: Mercury thermometers are being phased out. The mercury inside is highly toxic and you should dispose of all mercury thermometers by taking them to a recycling center that handles that. DO NOT THROW IT IN THE TRASH. Mercury is poisonous to every living thing.


UPDATE: GERATHERM offers MERCURY FREE thermometers that work the same as the mercury ones. They are supposed to be safe.
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Wiki User

15y ago

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More answers

Modern electronic thermometers only need a few seconds; check the instrument's instruction manual because different models may vary.

Old-style mercury thermometers should remain in the mouth for about 3 minutes.

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Wiki User

9y ago
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For analog thermometers, one complete minute will do.

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Wiki User

16y ago
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3 Minutes for a mercury thermometer. For a digital thermometer, until it beeps and the readout stops changing.

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Wiki User

11y ago
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Untill the thermometer beeps, then you take it out

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Wiki User

12y ago
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at least 2 minutes, but no longer than 5

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Wiki User

16y ago
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3 minutes

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Wiki User

14y ago
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how long should you keep the thermometer under your tongue

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Anonymous

4y ago
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Eight minutes

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Anonymous

4y ago
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5 minutes

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Anonymous

4y ago
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Q: How long should you keep the thermometer under your tongue?
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