Blog

Most of us have embraced the habit of brushing our teeth twice a day and sometimes more. Its been established in our routine and we don’t question why its good for our teeth. It’s 2 minutes of brushing, 2-3 times per day of mindless activity. So I have been known to ask my clients to spend those 4-6 minutes a day doing some simple exercises that I have prescribed. So here of some simple exercises that you can do while brushing your teeth than can pay dividends for your body and not just your teeth.

• Single leg balance: You repeat ankle sprain offenders, this is a perfect time to practice your ankle stability. 1 minute per foot, 2-3 times per day. Stand up straight, engage your core gently and lift one foot. Good job, you are doing homework.
• Posture: For those 4-6 minutes a day, why don’t we try and stand or sit with ideal posture. Focus on those areas that we nag you on; Are your shoulders rounded? Is your chin poking out? Are your knees hyperextended? Is your lower back too arched?
• Pick one of your stretches that you can do.
• Practice engaging your core, your butt, or any other muscle that you have to work on.
• Practice relaxing some of those neck or shoulder muscles that are chronically tight. As you brush your teeth do you notice tension developing in those problem areas? Is your neck or shoulder getting tight? Incorporate the small details of your exercises as you brush. Its not always about activating a muscle but rather decreasing the over-activity.
• BREATHE! Maybe just spend 2 minutes breathing properly if we have tried to correct your breathing pattern. Are you breathing properly into your diaphragm/belly or into your shoulders and upper chest?
• For those more adventurous, try some shallow squats or lunges keeping focussed on the small details – neutral spine, core engaged, use your glutes, equal weight on left/right foot etc.
• Foot problems? Roll out your foot if you’ve been prescribed.
• Use your non-dominant hand. Try it, it feels really weird but you’re building new and strengthening connections in your brain.

If you have any questions about other exercises that you might incorporate while brushing your teeth, don’t ask your dentist – ask one of us.

Rob Iwasaki, BScPT, BScKin, Clinical STOTT Pilates, CAFCI