Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

TOOTHBRUSHING

Water, Wisdom, and the Brain’s Quiet Work

Brushing your teeth may seem mundane, but it’s a moment where conservation meets cognition. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how small routines like toothbrushing reveal our environmental impact and the quiet brilliance of our brains at work—even when we’re not paying attention.

The other morning, I was brushing my teeth, and I remembered my sister’s story of doing the same in California. She reported that you never leave the water running while brushing your teeth. In fact, you barely wet your brush and barely rinse your brush when you finish and take a sip of water to rinse your mouth. The watertable in California is being depleted. Between city development, population growth, and farming, the watertable is being sucked dry. The watertable in California has been dropping for the past two decades. Water conservation is a priority in the State, yet ultimately it will probably not be enough to divert a disaster. As a result, they are going beyond their borders to draw water from other states. The outcome of such could be disastrous for more than California.

We all have watertables of a sort…..our emotional and intellectual resources. How are you using your “watertables”? When you face simple tasks like toothbrushing, dishwashing, or laundry, how are you using your resources? Our brains are quick to process the environment around us, and sometimes they get stuck on repeating one attitude or demeanor. Check yourself the next time that you do a common task. When doing mundane chores our brains are frequently processing problems and puzzles that are completely unrelated to the chore. Pay attention to what your brain is doing. Have you ever wondered why that organ is protected by a round bone vault? This is a very special organ! No other part of the body has such protection.

While doing mundane tasks like emptying the dishwasher, your brain is busy solving complex problems or creating new designs for that house project you are planning. You might say the brain has a mind of its own. Many times, I have heard someone say that a solution to a complex problem came to them while taking a shower. Maybe the brain likes the rush of water or the sound of rain. Our brains are always busy. Even when we are sleeping, they are processing the events and stressors of the day. Sometimes I encourage clients to keep a notebook at their bedside so they can write down snippets of dreams. Our dreams are the way in which our brains organize, react to, and sort out the events of the day and the trials in our lives. They can be quite helpful in showing us the feeling states that we may have dismissed in our busy day.

When you wake up and go to brush your teeth, think about what your brain may be telling you about the strains of the day and your resources for addressing them.

Want to conserve water while brushing your teeth? Try Colgate’s five water-saving tips or explore CDHP’s guide to reducing water usage. For broader sustainability ideas, visit Southern Sustainability Institute’s water waste overview and Terra & Co.’s sustainable oral hygiene tips.

If you’re curious about how your brain processes stress or want to explore emotional resources more deeply, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional clarity and cognitive wellness.