There’s a major differencebetween something entirely made up that your parents know is bullshit and something that’s false but your parents genuinely believe, because thr delivery will be very different. Especially if even the danger of the myth is exaggerated (I was always told it’s a bit dangerous and to not do it but never that it’s a huge risk of death).

Though also being lied to about some dangers would make me think that everything I’ve been warned about is false or greatly exaggerated, and I’m very grateful that despite being quite anxious about my safety, my mom never did that. But that might be an autism thing because reportedly if she explained why something was bad I’d get it and just not do it, even when I was very young.

I do partially blame my teenage depression-fueled 2ish years of barely every brushing my teeth, the consequences of which I’m still dealing with, on being told that even skipping one day is really bad and I will probably get cavities if I do that a few times. Cue me skipping it on some days because of mental health, realizing that even after months of occasionally doing that my teeth are still fine (including the dentist saying they’re doing great and no issues), and subsequently no longer being able to find the motivation to do it at all since the consequences I was trying to avoid never materialized.