De-Stress in the Two Minutes It Takes to Brush Your Teeth

We often zone out or multi-task while we brush our teeth, but what if we approached this daily routine differently? Especially during these unprecedented times, it’s important to find ways to de-stress daily, and brushing your teeth might be a way to de-stress. Oral health affects your mental and physical health, and ultimately, your quality of life. By transforming your daily brushing habit into a stress relieving habit, you’ll incorporate your mental and physical health together to de-stress. 

Brush Correctly 

Most people don’t know the proper brushing technique, and this is extremely harmful in the long run. Children are usually taught to brush up and down or in circles, which misses the pocket below the gum line. This leads to plaque build-up, inflammation, and sore and bleeding gums. 

The perfect brushing technique (BASS METHOD) starts with aiming the head of the brush 45 degrees into the gum line. Apply light pressure and short strokes on the surface of your teeth and gum line. Invest in a MD Brush while you are learning this new technique and focus on correct brushing instead of zoning out.

Be Present

It’s not always easy to live in the moment — especially during COVID-19, and while doing something as habitual as brushing our teeth. But Dr. Elissa Epel, the director of the UCSF Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center, tells Thrive Global that brushing your teeth is a great opportunity to be more mindful and ease stress,“Enhancing our daily purpose and gratitude are both stress reducing,” says Epel. You could also focus on something simple like breathing, which helps you de-stress after a long day, according to research in Frontiers in Psychiatry. 

The two minutes you spend brushing your teeth is an opportunity for habit-stacking. While you are brushing with the BASS Method contemplate your day, practice gratitude, focus on your breathing, or simply focus on brushing correctly to slow down at the end of the day. You’ll head to bed with a clear head and clean gums. 

De-stress with MD Brush

A healthy person is a happy person. With proper brushing techniques and mindful habits, you’ll be able to lead a healthier and happier life by de-stressing. For some extra guidance at half the cost of an electric toothbrush, brush with our MD Deep Clean Brush or Activated Charcoal Toothbrush for deep-cleaned gums and polished teeth. Visit our contact page, read our FAQ’s, or check out our blog for more tips and tricks.