At Peace Parents Podcast Ep. 139 - PDA Child Is Unable To Eat Or Drink Because Of Loose Tooth
Jan 21, 2026
A mom shares her struggle with her six-year-old's refusal to eat due to a loose tooth. The discussion highlights how losing autonomy can deeply affect children with PDA. Creative solutions like offering a variety of food options and using novel drinking vessels are explored. Tips on fostering autonomy while keeping demands low are shared, including the importance of nonverbal safety signals and humor. Overall, the conversation emphasizes collaborative family strategies to manage these challenging moments.
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48-Hour Food And Drink Shutdown
- Katie's six-year-old refused to eat or drink for 48 hours due to a wiggly tooth and needed pediatric monitoring.
- Once the tooth fell out, eating and drinking returned to normal immediately.
Loose Tooth Equals Big Nervous-System Trigger
- A loose tooth can trigger intense dysregulation in PDA children because it threatens bodily autonomy.
- Sensory discomfort plus loss of control can create a crisis-level nervous system response.
Strew A Visible Buffet Of Novel Options
- Amp up autonomy by strewing lots of visible food and drink options so she can choose without prompts.
- Offer novel containers like sippy cups or baby bottles to lower the demand to drink.