Pause Purpose Play
Michaela Thomas
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Dental hygiene and dentist visits with ADHD
Do you ever find yourself putting off the dentist—or feeling secretly ashamed about how hard it can be to stick to basic dental care? When you have ADHD, a busy brain, or you're navigating life stress, grief, or burnout, keeping up with personal hygiene and self-care routines like brushing or flossing can feel almost impossible. The executive functioning load of booking appointments, remembering routines, and facing the fear of being "told off" creates a huge barrier to looking after our teeth. In this solo episode, I get vulnerable about my own recent struggles with dental hygiene following a period of personal grief, sharing practical ways to reduce friction, eliminate shame, and prioritize your health without judgment. In this episode we explore: The link between executive dysfunction, mental health, and basic personal hygiene challenges in ADHDers How life events, grief, and perimenopause disrupt established self-care routines Practical, low-friction systems for booking and keeping routine dental appointments (like practice plans and visual triggers) Why ADHDers are more prone to sugar cravings, impulsive eating, and nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism) Overcoming the deep shame and rejection sensitivity surrounding missed checkups or poor flossing Why "prepaying" for your care acts as a helpful accountability anchor Navigating sensory issues around interdental brushes and finding tools that actually work for you How to advocate for yourself at the dentist so you don't feel criticized or overwhelmed Unconventional hacks for making dental care less boring and easier to fit into your day If you’ve been avoiding a checkup, struggling to floss, or beating yourself up for forgetting to brush your teeth, this episode is your reminder that it is not a moral failure—it's an executive function challenge. Resources & Links ✨ Join the free Nervous System Reset If you're feeling overwhelmed, constantly "on", or like your nervous system never gets a chance to switch off, I've created a free guided Nervous System Reset to help you pause, regulate, and reconnect with yourself. Join it here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset ✨ Golden Event (London, October 9th): An intimate day for nine women to pause, restore capacity, and build purpose without burnout: https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/golden-in-person-event-oct-2026/ 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a friend. It helps more people discover Pause, Purpose, Play and supports the podcast to reach those who need it most.
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