Neurodivergent on Yik Yak | I struggle with pretty severe ADHD and have a huge aversion to brushing my teeth. I know that I need to do it but it’s like super sensory overload for me. Does anyone else experience this and have any tips or tricks that help you overcome it?

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Neurodivergent 17w

I struggle with pretty severe ADHD and have a huge aversion to brushing my teeth. I know that I need to do it but it’s like super sensory overload for me. Does anyone else experience this and have any tips or tricks that help you overcome it?

Anonymous 17w

It’s not even sensory for me (beyond the minty burn sometimes so I just spit regularly while brushing my teeth). For me it’s task initiation. I just don’t have the brain power to get up and do it. Ngl I don’t remember the last time I’ve brushed my teeth.

Anonymous 17w

mint burns so I use cinnamon flavor toothpaste. if the bristles are too hard, maybe try soft bristle toothbrush? electric toothbrushes also do wonders bc you kinda just have to slide side to side across your teeth & it does the rest for you

Anonymous 17w

I've heard that some people use mouthwash when it's too hard to brush. not quite the same, but still getting fluoride on your teeth and better than nothing!

Anonymous 17w

Brushing your teeth without toothpaste, is better than not brushing them at all, if that helps

Anonymous 17w

Pair it with a nice thing like watching a video or listening to music to make it easier to push through.

Anonymous 17w

Honestly sometimes you just have to push through it. It helps to have a reason to though, I used to have a BAD aversion to teeth brushing, like as a kid I wouldn't do it for months. But then I got braces and had to brush my teeth if I didn't want problems. Now I can't go WITHOUT brushing my teeth because the plaque buildup is a sensory nightmare.

Anonymous 17w

Soft bristles, like the super soft ones, one of the practically flavorless toothpastes (usually white), and get a water flosser if you think you can handle that better than brushing.

Anonymous

#1 17w

Make it a habit! I know it's easier said than done, but if you make yourself do a nightly routine you'll find you can't go to sleep without checking everything off the list. For me it's -Taking meds -Brushing teeth and putting in retainer -Physical therapy exercises for my carpal tunnel -Washing my face and putting on acne cream It might seem like a lot, but it gets easier over time. My list used to be longer (had to clean my piercings before they healed) and now it feels easy.

Anonymous

#5 17w

Also if you know you have a hard time doing things, do multiple at once! Wash your face in the shower, I do physical therapy exercises while brushing my teeth. It gets easier 💕

Anonymous

#5 17w

I get it, but habits just don’t form with me. My medicine that I need to stay alive is right next to my bed and I still don’t take it every night without another person to remind me (bc let’s be real, phone alarms can just be turned off and ignored). Max I ever get it a week, and that’s typically bc I’m on vacation and have a new environment to stimulate the dopamine of pretending to have a normal life :/ routines and habits are meaningless once they don’t give brain the happy juice

Anonymous

#5 17w

Research has been done stating that habits don’t form as easily in many neurodivergent brains, “just make it a habit” works about as well as “just stop being anxious” tbh

Anonymous

#6 17w

I get where you're coming from, but I'm genuinely trying to be helpful. I know it's not easy, took me years to do and sometimes I still struggle with upkeep. But maintaining a routine really helps me as an AuDHD person because I get really depressed without one (like when I'm on school break). So my nightly routine helps me personally. I often forget that not everyone works the same as I do (I mean I KNOW they don't, but I don't always REALIZE in the moment).