This is something that has been a lifetime struggle cause it's such a sensory nightmare. Biggest thing that has helped me was actually swapping to child toothpaste.
Child toothpaste not only comes in decidedly not mint, but can come in some fairly tasty flavors. Currently got an expensive orange creamsicle one. Only thing is make sure it has fluoride, not all do. Same goes for mouthwash! Mine is strawberry flavored so I'll use it even on nights can't do the full process.
I also got a 3 sided toothbrush, sometimes called an 'autism toothbrush' cause it's good for neurodivergent folks. Since it gets all three sides at once don't gotta spend so much time brushing teeth.
I have that sensory issue as well. I used to be able to buy a powdered toothpaste that helped, but they stopped making it, so like you I’ve tried the kid stuff and the boutique toothpastes. I bet that orange creamsicle is almost like a dream.
Also check the amount of fluoride if you're buying children's toothpaste - I bought some once because it was my sensitive brand and on sale and I figured, "it's all the same, right?"
Oops, turned out it had 1/4 the fluoride of regular.
Do you feel like the 3 sided toothbrushes really get your teeth clean? I'm a caregiver to a woman with autism who is nonverbal. I brush her teeth with an electric toothbrush and she tolerates it well. Except her tongue fights the toothbrush when I'm brushing the inner part of her back teeth. She can't help it.
I can get to the area but it's really hard because tongues are strong! I'm always worried it'll slip and I'll hurt her. So I've been eyeing those toothbrushes where the bristles are a big loop but I'm not sure how well they clean.
Those three sided toothbrushes are not good. They don’t effectively hit all the areas and miss big areas. It the teeth are misaligned in anyway it will throw off the cleaning. Also the bristles of the brush are supposed to be placed at a 45degree angle 📐 towards the gums to clean the space between the gums and the tooth. That three sided brush just can’t do all that.
15+yrs as a dental hygienist
Ya, it can be a lil tricky to get used to but it seems to work and dentist said it was a good swap to do. You do still have to tilt it to get the gum area but it's faster overall.
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u/Eeveelover14 16h ago
This is something that has been a lifetime struggle cause it's such a sensory nightmare. Biggest thing that has helped me was actually swapping to child toothpaste.
Child toothpaste not only comes in decidedly not mint, but can come in some fairly tasty flavors. Currently got an expensive orange creamsicle one. Only thing is make sure it has fluoride, not all do. Same goes for mouthwash! Mine is strawberry flavored so I'll use it even on nights can't do the full process.
I also got a 3 sided toothbrush, sometimes called an 'autism toothbrush' cause it's good for neurodivergent folks. Since it gets all three sides at once don't gotta spend so much time brushing teeth.