It’s tough to find the line between comfort and what could be quietly making things worse… but I guess that’s parenting in a nutshell, right?
Totally get where you’re coming from. It’s wild how something that seems harmless (like reading or music) can actually make teeth grinding worse. I’ve seen it with my own kid—he’d clench his jaw during “relaxing” screen time, which we thought was winding him down. Ever try a mouthguard at night? I know it’s not for everyone, but it helped us catch the damage early. You’re right though, sometimes the little habits sneak up on you... Parenting really is just a series of educated guesses, isn’t it?
It’s kind of wild how the things we do to unwind can turn into triggers, right? I used to think reading before bed was the ultimate way to relax, but my orthodontist pointed out I was clenching my jaw the whole time. Didn’t even notice until I started waking up with headaches. Tried a night guard for a while—honestly, it took some getting used to, but it did help with the soreness in my jaw and kept my teeth from getting more worn down.
I get what you mean about how parenting (or just life in general) feels like a guessing game. You’re always adjusting based on what you notice, and sometimes it’s just trial and error. For me, being mindful—like checking in with myself during “relaxing” activities—helped spot those sneaky habits. Not saying I’ve got it all figured out, but catching these things early definitely made a difference for me.
