Switching Hands While Brushing Teeth Can Activate Brain, Prevent Dementia, Experts Say

Switching hands while brushing your teeth could be a simple yet effective way to boost brain activity and ward off dementia, according to experts. This minor adjustment to a daily routine can stimulate the brain, promote neuroplasticity, and help maintain cognitive functions.

“

Daily life's small changes are a good way to stimulate the brain.

Dr. Neil K. Shah, a researcher funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, explained that for most people, brushing teeth is an automatic, almost reflexive action. By switching to the non-dominant hand, the brain must actively plan and coordinate a new movement, requiring greater focus and dexterity. This process strongly activates brain regions responsible for planning, motor control, and attention.

“

The brain must re-plan and regulate new movements, requiring higher concentration and coordination.

Shah highlighted that repeatedly performing unfamiliar actions, like brushing with the non-dominant hand, fosters neuroplasticity. This is the brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to new experiences and learning, thereby strengthening neural connections. He also noted that 'cross-movements,' involving the non-dominant hand or the opposite side of the body, activate broader neural networks associated with attention, memory, and coordination, which become increasingly crucial with age.

“

This process can promote 'neuroplasticity', the brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to new experiences and learning, thereby strengthening neural connections.

Medical experts further explain that such activities can significantly enhance 'cognitive reserve.' This refers to the brain's capacity to maintain normal cognitive function even when affected by aging, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with a higher cognitive reserve can better delay the onset of dementia symptoms and preserve daily functioning, even if brain damage occurs.

“

Cross-movements... can activate broader neural networks governing attention, memory, and coordination, which become increasingly crucial with age.