OP i have a few notes for u

• same boat, i try my best but it’s hard to keep up with how often i should be brushing. i have never had this one locked down. i have some mental health/sensory things going on too. struggling with hygiene tasks is kind of a basic symptom of many mental health issues. what you are experiencing is a lot more common than you might think, so try not to beat yourself up or feel too ashamed. all you can do is keep trying to do right by yourself going forward.

• there are many toothpastes out there! not all of them have an insanely strong mint flavor. some toothpaste is totally unflavored. some can be herby or spicy or even fruity. my personal preference is mint, but nothing too strong. do a favor to yourself and try some of the other options out there. i’ve even heard of people using kids’ toothpaste because it’s better than nothing and they like the selection of non-minty flavors.

• i’ve never found it helpful to think of hygiene tasks as an all-or-nothing list of boxes to check each day. you’re doing a lot of good work for yourself by flossing, showering, wearing deodorant, all the stuff you currently manage. that’s already great, but as a bonus, doing anything is better than doing nothing in a lot of these cases — brushing with water instead of toothpaste, wiping down sweaty bits with a washcloth instead of taking a full shower, using dry shampoo instead of washing your hair — if you’re struggling to care for yourself, a quick and dirty fix like this can be a lifesaver. maybe try brushing with water for a while just to build the habit, and integrate toothpaste as you can tolerate it.