With sensory issues, I'm realizing that with a lot of the things my parents said I'd get used to I never did, or it got worse.

[u/Fyre-Bringer]

For example, brushing your teeth. It's a sensory nightmare.

When I had to switch from the fruity kids toothpaste (I loved that stuff, I'd literally sneak eating it) to the normal minty toothpaste, I told my mom I didn't like it. She told me I'd get used to it and that was that.

It was already a struggle for me to brush my teeth (I didn't like the feeling of scrubbing), but cue in years of never brushing my teeth.

Sometimes my mom would get electric toothbrushes on sale + coupon that made them cheaper than normal toothbrushes. I didn't like the vibrations. Again, I got that it's just something you get used to.

Continuing never brushing my teeth.

Now, I've started getting kids toothpaste again. And since I didn't like the scrubbing feeling I tried an electric toothbrush (having forgotten my previous dislike). The vibrations hurt.

"It's loud" - you'll get used to it

"It smells gross" - you'll get used to it

"I don't like the taste" - you'll get used to it

"This feels weird" - you'll get used to it

I never got used to them. And in fact, a lot of them just got worse.

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[u/the_dryad]

Non adhd people sometimes put too much value on what’s considered “normal” sometimes, your sensitivities are valid, and if it takes the fruity toothpaste and soft manual brushes to get your teeth clean, I say go for it.

As long as you’ve found a way to keep yourself healthy and functioning, you’re fine.

Also, I very much doubt that non adhd people would like it if they were suddenly forced into a neon painted room with flashing lights, random fart spray, sudden loud noises and force fed raw eggs, and then being told “you’ll get used to it”

[u/PiesAteMyFace]

Mmmm. Partial agreement. I had a VERY limited diet growing up. Couldn't tolerate porridge of most kinds, rice, and beans (esp green beans) literally made me vomit. These days I can count things I wouldn't eat on one hand, and still have fingers left over. Taste mellows out overtime. My noise+color sensitivity has gotten worse, though.

[u/KaleidoscopeShot1869 → u/PiesAteMyFace]

Lol not for me I found out I've got ADHD and ARFID which are comorbid 🥰😭

I still have the diet of a 3 year old and barely like any meats and vegetables. I only like pork in certain iterations.

But for some reason I do like sushi (mainly with shrimp and I prefer a crunchy component in there, but If I think about it to much or chew for too long it makes me gag!)

[u/PiesAteMyFace → u/KaleidoscopeShot1869]

Sounds frustrating! In total agreement about sushi though.

[u/Odd_Judgment_2303]

I just got myself Sensodyne toothpaste. I researched it and it doesn’t have sodium laureth in it. That’s the chemical that makes toothpaste foamy. It stings my mouth. Do you use a soft toothbrush? If kid’s toothpaste is more comfortable you should use it. There are no good reasons to aggravate sensory processing issues.

[u/fireflydrake]

It's always good to try new things, because some things you DO get used to--I went from being unable to maintain eye contact to doing public speaking for work, for example. But if you've given it an honest try a couple of times and it's still not for you then yah, no point in continuing to suffer. Especially when it's something pretty benign like this!

[u/Holhou]

ok beware for cursing - but ON FUCKING GOD!!! i want others to stop telling me to "get used to it" so fucking much, like, seriously- i ask em if they ever got used to their stupid ass pants and they tell me "no"???? WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY TELLIN ME TO GET USED TO THESE THINGS THEN!! i refuse to wear em cuz forcin myself for somethin sensory would literally kill me

[u/sartheon]

Use a toothbrush with very fine tips (often advertised to clean better between the teeth). Even at medium or hard, the finer tips on the brush don't create a "scrubbing" sensation on your teeth as bad as the thicker bristles of many toothbrushes do.

Also check your pressure while brushing. Most peaple apply too much of it and can damage their enamel over time..

[u/Gaymer7437]

I get prescription fluoride toothpaste since I suck at brushing my teeth everyday. I get the fruit flavor and I try to not eat or drink anything for half an hour after brushing my teeth to let the flouride do its job

[u/Future-Translator691]

Don’t know if there’s an adult version of this - but we use non flavoured toothpaste for our child with ADHD as she didn’t tolerate the ones with taste (even children’s ones). She does use a manual toothbrush and doesn’t really like brushing her teeth although I think it’s more because she feels it’s boring (I feel the same 😂)

[u/Future-Translator691 → u/Future-Translator691]

Also to say that totally relate with hating the “it will get better” or “you’ll get used to it”! For me it was specially with fine motor skills - like drawing, peeling/cutting food - always struggled a lot with that and hated doing it as it never looked nice - and I never really improved 😂 luckily don’t need to draw in my life and nowadays there’s so many kitchen gadgets to help with the rest! But my mum probably has ADHD but she would still tell me this - I think because this is what her parents would tell her as well - so sometimes it’s not because our parents are not ADHD - it’s also their “trauma” and masking.

[u/Less-Capital9689]

My latest finding: indian Dabur Red toothpaste. Spice based.. man, that thing is awesome :) + it's been the first time in my life when two checkups in a row (>2 years) ended up without any dentist interventions (because this thing actually works :D ).

[u/violalala555]

BRUH I feel this hard; not about brushing my teeth, but countless other "you'll get used to it"s. A couple off the top of my head:

• touching wet paper or paper products
• hair brushing across my skin
• the smell of butter cooking
• being able to stand repetitive sounds/movements, like drinking water loudly, chewing, fiddling with a ring, petting the dog and jostling me on the couch....