A Complete Guide on Dental Care for Children with Special Needs

Dental Care for Children with Special Needs

Dental care is extremely important to someone’s overall health and well-being. It’s important for individuals to establish a good relationship with their dentist and develop healthy oral hygiene habits. However, for children with special needs, going to the dentist and developing these habits can be more difficult. Luckily, there are many ways to prepare for positive dental visits and establish a dental care routine at home. I have been practicing family dentistry for more than 17 years and am committed to helping my patients have positive dental experiences. That’s why I have come up with a complete guide for dental care for your child with special needs to share with you.

Going to the Dentist

For a child with special needs, going to the dentist can be hard, especially for the first time. There a lot of sensory elements that can be difficult to process which can make a child feel extreme discomfort during their dental visit. Here’s how you can work through some of these sensory issues and help prepare for your child’s dental visit.

Familiarization appointments

Familiarization appointments are a great way to help your child prepare for a dental appointment. These appointments are an opportunity for you and your child visit the dental office before any dental work is being done. It’s a chance to meet the dentist and staff members and see what the dental office is like. Your child can see some of the dental tools and hear some of the noises in a more relaxed setting which can help them become more comfortable during their actual visit. Most dental offices offer familiarization appointment, so talk to yours about scheduling one.

Dental Sedation

Parents often have questions about dental sedation when it comes to their child receiving dental care. Patients with special needs may benefit from dental sedation if they have extreme anxiety and are refusing care from the dentist. There are a few different types of sedation that your dentist may offer. They include:

Inhaled Minimal Sedation: This is a common method where the dentist administers nitrous oxide plus oxygen through a breathing mask. Your dentist is in complete control of the amount that is being given.

Oral Sedation: A method that can range from minimal to moderate and is another widely used sedation method. The patient is given a pill to make them drowsy during their appointment. A more moderate dose may make the patient fall asleep.

IV moderate sedation: This sedation medication is given through the vein and works quickly. Your dentist will be able to adjust sedation levels as needed.

Deep Sedation: Deep sedation involves the patient being nearly or totally unconscious. Patients will be awakened until the effects of the medication wear off or are reversed. This method is used for more invasive dental procedures.

Dental Care at Home

Developing good oral hygiene habits at home is one of the best ways for your child to have a healthy mouth. Instilling these habits at an early age can help them as they get older and will also help them have easier dental appointments.

Brushing & Flossing

Brushing and flossing are essential to anybody’s dental care routine. Children with special needs may be sensitive to the toothbrush bristles and flossing movements which can make it difficult to make brushing and flossing a habit.

If your child is struggling with brushing their teeth, try experimenting with different kinds of toothbrushes until you find one that works best for them. Some brushes are made with silicon or softer bristles. Sometimes, a child may benefit from an electric toothbrush with soft vibrations. It’s all about finding a toothbrush that they can use on a day to day basis. Don’t give up on making brushing and flossing an everyday activity as it is the best way to prevent dental issues.

Eating a healthy diet

Having a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is also important when it comes to having a healthy mouth. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and some dairy carry the nutrients that one needs to have strong teeth and gums.

Children with special needs may have limited diets and strong likes and dislikes when it comes to food and drink. Work together with your child in trying new foods and discover new foods that they love. It can be a fun way for you and your child to experiment with food and find ones that work best.

One thing to note while discovering a diet that works for your child is that it’s important to limit sugary foods and drinks as well as acidic foods. In large quantities, foods like this can break down the enamel and make your child more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay.

Dental care will always be important to your child’s overall health, so try not to let any difficulties keep you from finding the best way for your child to receive care. Regular dental visits and strong oral hygiene habits are the best way for your child to have good dental health. There are many ways to prepare for positive dental visits and establish a dental care routine at home, it’s all about finding what works best for you and your child.

Dr. Greg Grillo, was born and raised in the Okanogan Valley in Washington state. He spent eight years at the University of Washington and received a bachelor’s degree with honors before attending the School of Dentistry on the same campus. Dr. Grillo’s more than two decades of expertise, combined with his passion for dental marketing and knowledge of dental software, makes him an invaluable asset to the Emergency Dentists USA team.

A child smiles with a yellow toothbrush in front of their mouth.

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This post originally appeared on our May/June 2019 Magazine