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/
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