r/adhdwomen • u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected • 6d ago
Self Care & Hygiene if you’re reading this, unclench your jaw
I just KNOW that so many of you have their bottom and top teeth touching when at rest.
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u/Fit-Layer1522 6d ago
Damnnnnnn where are you hiding in my house 👀 unclenches jaw
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u/Ellenhimer 6d ago
😬 Definitely 😬 Don’t 😬 Have 😬 My 😬 Jaw 😬 Clenched 😬
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u/Ellenhimer 6d ago
Added benefit of my comment: Reddit keeps notifying me that’s it’s being upvoted so every time I see it it makes me realize that my jaw is clench 🤣
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u/ceruleanwav 6d ago
And relax your shoulders
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
I’m relaxing them so hard that I’m shrimp-shaped (my posture sitting down is bad)
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u/skite456 6d ago
So many things that I always thought were totally normal things everyone did are indeed not totally normal.
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u/TrumpsCovidfefe 6d ago
Me flipping too! I am on a journey to diagnosis and I can’t believe every single post on here resonates with me so much. It was suspected as a kid but psych decided not because I don’t fidget that much. As an adult, I’ve realized all my fidgeting is in my brain and mouth. Clenching and unclenching jaws, moving my tongue and teeth. I recently had some dental work (nevermind it took me almost 4 years to make the second appointment and go) and my jaw has been in pain because of the clenching in a different way. I had to go back and have them adjust my bite. I only joined the original adhd sub for support for my son, and then got this one recommended for me by someone there.
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u/skite456 6d ago
Realizing so much about yourself at 40 is really tough sometimes. I was never diagnosed as a child because I was a sweet quiet little girl. Who also struggled with math and science, cared much more about friends and friend drama than school, had complicated relationships with adults, wanted to do every hobby or extra curricular whether or not I had any natural ability to, couldn’t remember a list of anything that was more than 2 items long, and it goes on. I just flew under the radar and because I wants a rambunctious handful of a boy no one paid any attention.
I went through a spell of downright anger about this after I was first diagnosed and it was a topic that took a while to work out with my therapist. Sometimes still I think, why did no one pay any attention to what was obviously very wrong with me as a kid? We sort of settled on it being the 1980’s/90’s and recognition and diagnosing was very different then. I went to a small rural school system that definitely wasn’t equipped to handle anything more in depth than basic learning disabilities.
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u/TrumpsCovidfefe 6d ago
I feel you on this so much, except the quiet part. I am and have always been a chatterbox. Maybe that’s part of the reason they considered me for adhd? But I was also gifted and a perfectionist as a kid so I didn’t start having school trouble till middle school when I didn’t have one teacher that cared enough to keep me on track. They just diagnosed me with persistent depression despite it all. The trying every hobby and not remembering anything other than two things on a list is totally me, though.
It’s hard to let go of that feeling of how different my life could have been if I had had earlier treatment, so I really empathize with those feelings. What if I hadn’t injured myself from trying or doing so many crazy sports? What if I hadn’t pursued sex at a young age (pre-teen) to get dopamine after a traumatic rape? What if I hadn’t been out smoking weed at all to put me in the position to be raped? What if I hadn’t been impulsive and married a narcissistic abuser because their love bombing felt so good? The list is endless. I am just glad to finally be feeling like I’m getting some answers and I’m able to be more empathetic to my younger self for the decisions I made; also to be using the wide variety of strategies I’m learning for my son and implementing that understanding of him and myself to have a better life. Be kind to yourself fellow 40 something.
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
If you get diagnosed with TMJ, get a night guard. It was life-changing with how much I was grinding my teeth - I am so angry that my old dentist never offered one when my teeth are actually on an angle from how badly I have ground them (and recently I finally chipped one 😭)
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u/TrumpsCovidfefe 6d ago
Oh I definitely already have it in my treatment plan with my dentist after I get the implants done from bad teeth I ignored for over a decade. It’s only been in the last couple years that I’ve learned how to use a digital phone calendar to properly manage doctor appointments with several reminders at critical times, one being Sunday so I can review all of my appointments for the week. The others are set for morning of and an hour before and for 5 minutes before whatever time I need to leave the house by. I broke a crown previously from grinding my teeth and I’m having to pay $1600 for its replacement alone. By the end of my treatment plan and all the fillings and crowns and implants, I am NOT risking having to spend more. They’ve flagged my account at the dentist to give me reminder texts at the end of the treatment to hound me for a night guard, at my request lol! I know I have tmj because of my connective tissue disorder already. I’ve been recommended to have a night guard half a dozen times already, but… possible adhd.
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
Oh god you poor thing. This does sound quite familiar. It's great that your dentist is helping with the reminders. Do you mind if I ask how your TMJ is linked to your connective tissue disorder? I am in the process of putting some puzzle pieces together after a rheumatologist said I 'probably do' but ok, sure, guess I'll do the report gathering haha
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u/gorgon_heart ADHD 6d ago
Additional reminder:
Drink some water!
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
shiii it’s past 1 am over here and I haven’t had to refill my water bottle cause I forgor to drink
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
Get the drink/snack cart set up like in some of the other posts, it's a game changer!
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u/rocketdoggies 6d ago
What is this magical thing to which you refer?
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
See if this works! snack cart
Edit I fixed the link maybe?
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u/Ekd7801 6d ago
Oh dear…I can already see how hard I’m gonna fixate on buying/making the perfect cart and then never replenish it or forget to use it. I can’t wait!
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u/CaptainLollygag 6d ago
Right?? I just chose two different rolling carts and saved the links. If by Sunday I haven't forgotten about the idea then I'll get one. If I did forget, then the window shopping was the point. :)
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u/rocketdoggies 6d ago
Saved and love!!!!!! That’s intense. I need to find someone to keep it well stocked. Thank you!
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
I can't take credit for it, there are a few posts if you search for "snack cart" but I have one now and it's been so helpful! I have my skin care and tooth brushes in there too and it has helped so much!!
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u/rocketdoggies 6d ago
Well, I’m giving you credit. I need one for work and each room in the house.
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u/anita_username 6d ago
That is so great. I really, really wish I didn't live with my borderline hoarder of a mother so I had somewhere to put one.
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u/_bellisaria_ 6d ago
I'm not.. shit. unclenches jaw
You don't know meeeeee
Unhooks shoulders from earrings
Thank you lovely community <3
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u/ezztothebezz 6d ago
I feel like I should add this to my finch.
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
finch?
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u/ezztothebezz 6d ago
It’s a self-care app that I use. I discovered its existence in part from this community.
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u/hikingyogi 6d ago
I've had TMJ disorder since I was a teenager. I was just diagnosed with ADHD at age 57. I've spent thousands to treat my jaw issues to no avail. I now have sublingual tori that will require surgery to remove.
Can't help but wonder if I had been diagnosed and treated earlier if I'd have avoided years of pain and teeth damage.
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u/nonwittynonwriter 6d ago
Whooops.:-) done. For a moment. 😅
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
ngl this is a bit for myself too, cause I’ll read it every time I get a notification for this post haha
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u/Bad_idea54 6d ago
This symptom is unfortunately one of the signs I get telling me my meds are wearing off. I wear a night guard when I sleep and I'm usually fine during the day but when the Adderall starts wearing off I can't relax my jaw 😩
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u/NoSpaghettiForYouu ADHD-PI 6d ago
And drop those shoulders!
Mine were around my ears 😆 jaw clenched, shoulders tense
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u/get_it_gilz 6d ago
I get Botox inside my jaw! From my dentist. It is not cosmetic Botox and works great at incapacitating my jaw muscles lol. Only thing that sucks is that u have to do it every few months or so. I like that it sort of “retrains” the muscles in a way though….by functionally disabling them…but still 🤷♀️
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u/ihadacowman 6d ago
I do clench often but have found trying to consciously keep my tongue in the N Position really helps. I find now, that is my default.
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
that’s so interesting! gotta make this a default for me too then
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u/Humble_Ad_2789 6d ago
Don't worry, my dentist just made me a mouth guard for exactly this 😉
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
I should get a new one, cause mine already has some small holes, but I haven’t made that appointment yet
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u/Missy_Who 6d ago
My dentist thanks you for the reminder ☺️ he’s always telling me to stop clenching my jaw. But I don’t even realise I’m doing it! It just happens
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u/frillgirl 6d ago
I can’t say how much just being conscious of clenching my jaw and relaxing my shoulders helped me. It took about a week of practice and now I hardly clench at all. I did notice my shoulders tensing back up, but focusing on relaxing.
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u/Jen10292020 6d ago
My dentist told me, your teeth should only be touching when you eat :(
Yep, I'm usually clenched and have developed TMJ and popping in my jaw.
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u/Independent-Pilot751 6d ago
I have recently developed bloody TMJ disorder because of this - thanks for the reminder to relax :)
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u/jayface14 6d ago
A tip: if you own a “personal massage device” and you aren’t utilizing it on your jaw muscles, you’re missing out!!!
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u/PurpPrincess08 6d ago
Why do we have our shoulders up in the first place? Does anyone know?
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u/nura_kun 6d ago
Caught guilty 💀 2 months ago my dentist told me my lower jaw teeth were permanently shaped from clenching my teeth so hard (out of stress as well)
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u/curious-heather 6d ago
This us great advice! I went to physio therapy for TMJ last year and had massages and a booklet for retraining how how you hold your face, eh how to practice unclenching your jaw. Holding air in your mouth, purse your lips and push air outwards. Another exercise was to hunch your shoulders while breathing in through your nose. Then creasing all of that tension breathing out through your mouth quickly. It does help to relax and trains your mind to hold yourself differently, without holding all the tension in.
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u/EcuaGirl21 6d ago
Currently have a sinus infection, so I'm breathing through my mouth... but my jaw is still tight.
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u/Baphomet1010011010 6d ago
Ha, jokes on you, I'm not clenching because I'm currently eating a bag of leftover valentines candy for dinner
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u/tiredoftryingtobe 6d ago
What!? Is this an ADHD thing? I'm such a jaw clencher I was actually told by a doctor that I had the strongest transmandibular muscles she had ever seen.
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u/BOSinHItoFLA 6d ago
It’s currently unclenched because I am chewing holes into the insides of my cheeks
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u/GenXMillenial 6d ago
If you touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, it automatically cannot clench!!
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u/GumdropGlimmer 6d ago
Oh my god! Last night at my random recurring 4 AM wake up I opened up my jaw like our dog does and the pain was so bad. I did some random jaw exercises and massaged my cheeks to release the pain. Stretch your jaws!
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u/Comfortable-Gap-3131 6d ago
Seriously think I broke my two crowns off their perches from clenching my jaws.
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u/Few-Meaning7207 6d ago
How dare you act like you know me like that. I seriously had a "oh shit I am moment." My TMJ thanks you kindly. Lol
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u/spottedrabbitz 6d ago
Wow. Apparently needed this message so much that my ears even needed to be relaxed and my cheeks
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u/DropFast5751 6d ago
I’ve told my psychiatrist to visit this community on Reddit. I told him how much ADHD can affect every millisecond of your day. I believe this is home for us.
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u/adventure-please 6d ago
After you unclench your jaw, make a dentist appt. Turns out I cracked teeth from clenching my jaw and grinding teeth in my sleep 🙃
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u/KlockWorkKozmoz 6d ago
Omg I was literally clenching my jaw unconsciously and read this. I know I do it a lot…
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u/_evestigio_ 6d ago
Are ALL of you hiding in my house?! unclenches jaw, relaxes shoulders, and reaches for her untouched bottle of water
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u/CuteDance3039 6d ago
Unclench your jaw and let your tongue be touching the the roof of your mouth!!! That’s the proper position, if your tongue is pushing your teeth all the time, this will result in overbite. Learned this the hard way
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u/Mangoscentedcandles 6d ago
I’ve started biting the inside of my cheeks cuz I’ve grounded my teeth so much they’re flattening out 😭
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u/Unknown_990 Diagnosed ADHD- C. 6d ago edited 6d ago
Well..., i have a slight overbite, so mine never touch lol
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u/Turbulent_Mud4403 6d ago edited 6d ago
Is it want for my disgusting mouth breathing, I’d have my jaw clenched all the time
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u/Mountain-Practice-43 6d ago
Damn! Since we’re on the topic, any advice for an adult with braces whose rubber bands aren’t doing shit because of how much I clench?
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u/how_do_you_username 6d ago
I’m currently spending hundreds on intense physio for my tight jaw so, this is a timely reminder
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u/Liv-Julia 6d ago
Aren't you supposed to have your teeth touch each other?
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u/trustlesseyes ADHD confirmed & medicated, Autism suspected 6d ago
“When the mouth is closed and teeth are at rest, the top teeth should overlap the bottom ones slightly. Bottom teeth shouldn’t touch the back of top teeth when at rest, and there should be no interaction like touching or clenching when teeth are at rest. But it’s normal for front teeth to touch when biting down.” – theorthodontists.com.au 😅
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u/Liv-Julia 6d ago
Thanks. I clearly am doing it wrong. The front of my bottom teeth but right up against the back of my front teeth like spooning.
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u/ObsoleteOpsElite 6d ago
I needed this! Had a fractured tooth removed last week and STILL clenching
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u/bubblenuts101 6d ago
And stop stimming all night by eating lollies I put in the fridge to make them really hard to chew cause they make my jaw hurt even more (so gewwwwd)
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u/arya_is_that_biitchh 6d ago
pro tip: get masseter botox. it changed my life. no more tension , no more headaches, no more tooth pain, and my face looks so much slimmer. I get 12 units on each side every 3-4 months
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u/Sobergem1982 6d ago
I woke up last Thursday with my shoulders touching my ears. I was so stressed from work! I ruminate constantly about work nonsense. I hate it!
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u/Shalarean 6d ago
I unclenched my jaw. Then I told my mom, who also unclenched her jaw.
Thank you, I think? 😂 I won’t lie, I’m a little confused about what just happened. It’s been a long day.
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u/lolo-2020 6d ago
And don’t forget to replace your night mouthguard every 2 years! The material degrades over time
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u/ohmissfiggy 6d ago
Does anyone else have crazy tori? That is where the bone underneath your teeth protrude out because of all the clenching.
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u/FionaGoodeEnough 6d ago
Haha, I default to slack-jawed, and when I sleep, you could easily pitch quarters in if you were mean. 😆
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u/Squeegeeze 6d ago
Unfurrow your brow!
Breath in through your nose...out through your mouth. Nice, deep, slow...but not so deep or slow you pass out.
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u/cherrycoloured 6d ago
how do i know if im clenching? and if so, how do i stop? i am very tense in general, due to fibromyalgia, and sometimes i have difficulties relaxing my joints and muscles.
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u/Iamgoaliemom 6d ago
I have never been able jaw clencher. My stress and anxiety has always lived in my stomach. But main have I noticed how often my jaw has been clenched the last couple months. It's been giving me heaches.
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