Oral Hygiene Tips and Tricks for Children Who Have Special Needs

If you’re a parent, you know exactly how difficult it can be to take care of a child’s teeth. But if you’re a parent of a child with special needs, you know all too well that not all pediatric oral care advice works for every child. Kids with physical or mental disabilities often have conditions or sensitivities that can make routine oral hygiene and regular office visits challenging.

Don’t worry, though! Your family dentist is there to help, and so are these tips specifically crafted with special needs in mind. Keep reading, and you might discover some new tricks.

Consider Sensory Sensitivities

Children aren’t always the best at communicating their physical or emotional feelings. Sometimes, refusing to brush or floss doesn’t mean they’re being disobedient or stubborn – it simply means there’s something about the experience that they find uncomfortable.

If the culprit is the texture of their toothbrush or the flavor of their toothpaste, finding alternatives is easy enough. However, if they have oral sensitivities, easing their anxiety might take more time. Be patient as you try to help them grow accustomed to oral hygiene in small steps. For example, you could let them get used to simply having the brush in their mouth before moving on to cleaning with circular motions.

Use Books or Visits to Promote Familiarity

What did you do when you were experiencing something new? Did you visit your various classrooms before starting your first day of college? Or read the entire recipe before attempting to cook a new dish?

It’s normal to feel nervous in unfamiliar territory – kids are just louder about it! Try to find some informational books about visiting the dentist so your child with special needs knows what to expect ahead of time, or take them to visit the office and dental staff before the day of their appointment.

Let Them Bring a Comforting Object from Home

Does your child have a favorite teddy bear or blanket? Ask them if they’d like to take it with them to their dental appointment. These objects can provide comfort and relief and can also help your pediatric dentist start a positive conversation with your child. Seeing their dentist interested in their favorite toy can help kids make social connections and feel more at ease.

At-home oral care and dental appointments aren’t always fun, even for adults! However, they’re essential for general health and wellness. With patience, gentle care, and some creative thinking, you and your dentist can help your child with special needs become more comfortable with looking after their smile.

About the Practice

At Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry, we have four highly trained and patient-centered dentists on staff. They realize that pediatric oral care isn’t always easy, and are ready to help with patience, compassion, and professional advice. If your little one has special needs, one of our fantastic dentists would be happy to get in touch and discuss the best way to make sure they have a positive experience in our office. To contact us, call 434-847-5331.