Just Brush
We all know the benefits of brushing our teeth; it makes our teeth and gums strong, and our mouths feel fresh so we are ready for the day ahead. If the practice of mindfulness is really is just paying attention to what we are feeling in the moment, can we channel this through the action of brushing my teeth?
By Chandni Pattni
Brushing my teeth is a daily ritual, but it is one I don’t really even think about. I spend my days gazing into the mouths of strangers keen to help them feel clean, confident and healthy because, I am a dentist.
Brushing my teeth is one of the first things I do when I wake up, and I wouldn’t dream of leaving the house or popping my head down to sleep at night until I have completed this task. But it is just that, a task. I don’t enjoy it, I just do it. And, If I really think about it I don’t truly remember what happens when I brush my teeth. So this morning I am investigating what happens if I brush my teeth mindfully? Exchanging the repetitive motion of moving the bristles from left to right, and instead really considering the sensations, sounds, experiences and thoughts that occur as I do this.
I try to consider the idea that I can use the act of brushing to bring myself fully into the present moment for two minutes twice a day - and to feel my feelings and connect to the sensations within my mouth. What would happen if I set the intention to feel joy and bliss by the end of this act? Will I then really look forward to brushing my teeth?
Let’s begin.
I pay attention to the act of removing the top from the toothpaste tube. I notice the sweet scent of the mint as it glides from the plastic tube onto my brush, and how the smells and the colours of both the brush and toothpaste make me feel. I wonder, if someone was to ask me to describe the colour of my toothpaste before today my description be vague at best - but today, I could actually explain to you to the exact shade of blue the runs through the glistening paste that adorns the plastic mould I’ve held in my hand for at least 4 minutes every single day.
I simply gaze at them for a moment. I find myself really focussed on the architecture and the arrangement of each bristle springing out from the head of the toothbrush. It is actually kind of beautiful. I feel the handle of the brush in my hand, the texture, the heat and the sensation as I grip it tightly before lifting it slowly upwards.
All this awareness is really inviting me to slow down, and taking me away from the rat race of my mind. I consider the way my mouth feels before the brushing experience, and I begin to observe how it feels when I place the bristles onto the junction where my gum meets the tooth. As I begin the motions I concentrate on dividing my mouth up into sections, and I focus my energy and attention to how each area feels after brushing compared to those that are yet to be cleaned.
I don’t know that I ever really considered the endless amount of foam that one pea sized amount of toothpaste creates, and I think about past generations and how things like toothpaste have evolved. I notice at this point my mind is starting to wander, so I bring myself back to the brushing once more. Pushing back and forth, left and right, up and down around the entirety of my mouth.
“All this awareness is really inviting me to slow down, and taking me away from the rat race of my mind.”
As I finish, I take a moment to notice how my mouth feels at the end compared to the start. I momentarily draw my attention back to my mental state after slowing my mind down and I consider how these kind of tasks are often otherwise overlooked, sped through, and unappreciated.
By this point I am feeing rather calm. As I swirl and swill the water in my mouth to rinse the residue away I pause and hold the water for a second before releasing it down the plug hole. I reach to turn the tap to rinse my brush, and I notice how cold the tap feels against my warm skin. I watch almost mesmerised, as I gaze at the cold clear liquid draining quietly into the hidden pipes beneath my home.
I pick up a small hand towel from the rail beside me, and I notice it has a light floral scent. As I press it to my lips I think about how it is both soft and comforting against my skin before I proceed to pat my face dry. As I stare at my sleep filled eyes in the mirror I consider how lucky I am to have this little moment of peace and quiet in my home, and I notice the sounds of my family rousing from their beds. I take one final look at myself in the mirror, offering a wide grin as I examine my teeth more closely, and congratulate myself a job well done. I feel strangly proud of myself for brushing my teeth!
Rather than hastily putting my brush and toothpaste away, I slowly connect to the action and the feeling of the lid going back on the tube and then, the feeling of placing the tooth brush back where it belongs. All the while, I find that I have gathered a sense of appreciation for the task now it is completed.
It turns out in all honesty, this was quite an enjoyable experience and I actually found that this little moment was a welcome start to my day. What is miraculous is that it didn’t take any extra time in my schedule, it was simply an opportunity for me to live in the moment rather than it simply happening without my recollection. I recommend giving it a try to see how it makes you feel.
chandni pattni
Chandni is a dentist based in Moor Park, just outside of London. When’s she’s not attending mindfulness or wellbeing events, you’ll find her on the yoga/Pilates mat! She is passionate about fitness and nutrition, and also enjoys travel, fashion and socialising with friends.
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