Special Needs Dentistry for Kids Lynchburg
Special Needs, Special Smiles, Special Care
Every kid is precious and special in their own way, but some specifically have special needs, or physical or mental disabilities. Regardless of what your child can do or struggles to do, they deserve to have a healthy, strong, beautiful smile just like every other kid! The effects of various mental and physical conditions can range from mild learning or mobility issues to no mobility at all and essential full-time care, which means that your child may need extra accommodation to have even a routine dental visit. We’re happy to provide this support for you and your favorite growing smile. Feel free to contact our team and let us know how we make their oral health care less stressful and more successful!
Why Choose Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry for Special Needs Dentistry for Kids?
- Caring, Patient Dentists with Years of Experience
- Comfortable, Calm Office and Team
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Available
Special Needs Can Present Unique Oral Challenges
Regardless of the type of special needs your child has, whether physical or mental, they can affect your child’s dental health. Brushing and flossing every day can be difficult for them or for you to carry out safely. Unfortunately, skipping these habits allows oral bacteria to thrive and can easily lead to cavities, gum disease, or other mouth conditions.
In addition, sometimes those with special needs can be extremely picky when it comes to their food and may only eat certain types, like chicken nuggets, chips, candy, juice, gummy fruit snacks, or other sweet or starchy options. These foods may taste good and be the only thing your child will willingly, but they encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, making it easier for problems to develop.
Depending on the extent of your child’s special needs, they may also put things in their mouths that don’t belong there. These items can be covered in bacteria that increase not only the chances of getting sick but also the chances of getting cavities and oral infections.
How Do We Help Patients with Special Needs Feel Comfortable?
As you are aware, helping a child with special needs requires patience and understanding. From the moment you arrive with your child, we make every effort to keep the environment calm, relaxing, and friendly to put you both at ease. As much as possible, we try to reduce potential triggers for those with special needs by minimizing the strange sounds of the dental office, talking to your child so they can know us better, and offering nitrous oxide sedation to diminish anxiety. Nitrous oxide is an extremely gentle sedative that allows your child to remain awake, but they feel warm, light, and content as they inhale the gas mixed with normal air. As soon as we’re finished, the nasal mask comes off, and the effects wear off within minutes, which enables you and your child to get back to a normal schedule pretty much immediately.
Dental Tips for Patients with Special Needs
Just like every other kid, your child with special needs requires daily oral care. Although brushing and flossing can be problematic at times, there are ways to make it easier and more fun for yourself and them. There are tons of apps available that play kid-friendly music for only two minutes, the recommended time for brushing, which can turn this task into a fun dance party every day. If your child responds to rewards, you can track their progress for oral hygiene every day and reward them with a small prize after a certain number of days. (We recommend something other than candy—something more smile friendly!)
Before their appointment, try to explain what will happen during their visit in easy-to-understand, non-scary language. If your child likes to listen to you read to them, consider reading a few books with them to help them feel more familiar with what dental visits involve.
If you plan on bringing your child with special needs in, we look forward to assisting them! Just let us know beforehand about them so that we can prepare accommodation and be ready to give them a positive dental experience.