Dental Treatment in Children With Autism (6 Oral Care Tips)

Dealing with dental treatment in children with autism? Difficulties in social communication and thought patterns, as well as restricted or repetitive behavior patterns, are typical of people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is estimated that by the year 2022, 80 out of every 10,000 children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United States.

People with ASD often have problems interacting with others, as well as different ways of learning, behaving, moving, or paying attention. All of the above makes everyday situations, such as visits to the dentist, challenging for those living with autism.

What Effects does Autism have on Oral Health?

Although autism does not involve abnormalities that directly cause oral disease, autistic people are often more prone to it than other patients of similar ages. The following conditions predispose to the development of oral pathologies in patients with ADD:

1. Tendency to self-harm

This can lead to actions such as injuring the gums, biting the lips, or causing ulcerations through self-flagellation.

2. Oral hygiene problems

For people with autism, dental hygiene can be uncomfortable, because they are often bothered by feeling wet, or the taste of toothpaste is unpleasant. Not maintaining proper oral hygiene can contribute to the development of oral diseases, such as gingivitis and tooth decay.

3. Medication Side Effects

Some medications frequently used in autistic patients can cause enlargement of the gums, known as gingival hyperplasia.

4. Difficulties in consultations with the dentist

The visit to the dental office can be a challenging event for an autistic patient, which is why many do not attend dental check-ups and routine cleanings often enough.

5. Harmful oral habits

Children with autism typically prefer soft, sweetened foods and tend to keep food in their mouths rather than swallow. This is a consequence of poor coordination with the tongue and significantly increases the risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

How to Prepare your Child for a Visit to the Dentist?

The following strategies can greatly improve a child’s dental office experience:

1. Previous meeting with the dental team: Meet with the dentist and his or her staff to discuss previous dental treatments and possible sensory triggers.

2. Communication with the dentist: Provide clear and sufficient information to the dentist about the patient’s medical and dental history, associated conditions, oral hygiene habits, and inappropriate behaviors

3. Desensitization appointment: Let the child become familiar with the place before undergoing treatment

4. Motivation: Do not treat a visit to the dentist as a negative or undesirable experience. Instead, helps build trust in the dental professional.

Tips for the Time of Consultation:

Carry a favorite item

Children with autism may feel more secure and calm with comforting objects, such as stuffed animals or blankets. They should stay on their lap and not get close to the face, for safety reasons during treatment.

Use of glasses

Many children can be sensitive to light, so wearing glasses can protect them from the glare of the lamps used in the office.

Use of headphones

Depending upon the preference of the child, headphones can be used to reduce the perception of noise or to listen to music. This can distract them from loud noises.

How to Find the Right Dental Treatment in Children with Autism?

A dental visit can be stressful for most people, and even more so for patients with autism. A dental checkup or procedure can involve many new sounds, tastes, and smells, which can create an overwhelming environment for patients with autism.

For a child with autism, it can be intolerable to have instruments put in their mouths. They don’t like the sensation of having a wet face or the unpleasant taste of products used during the procedures. A good way to reduce stress is to explain to the child what happens during a consultation.

Because the care of a patient with autism usually requires some considerations to make the dental practice friendly and tolerable, some dentists receive special training. These professionals usually have the following skills:

• Special communication skills

• Special oral health conditions in autistic patients

• Empathy-based dental care

• Strategies for adaptation to treatment

Oral Care in People with Autism

Knowing the challenges that dental care represents in patients with ASD is essential to adopting strategies that improve the dental experience. The following tips can facilitate and improve oral hygiene practices:

Adapt brushing to your needs

Select the type of toothbrush and accessories that best suit the needs of the child. This may include soft or specialty bristle brushes, brush handle adapters, or any other option that makes brushing easier.

Use of pictograms

If the child can brush himself, it is important to teach him to do it correctly using various techniques, such as pictograms or other visual tools that help him understand and follow instructions. It may be helpful to post these aids in a visible place so the child can routinely follow directions.

Try different flavors of toothpaste

Many children with autism prefer unflavored, non-foaming toothpaste. Explore kid-friendly flavored toothpaste options to find the most suitable and palatable for your child.

Flavored dental floss

Some children with autism may show resistance to using mint-flavored dental floss. Try offering them different flavors of dental floss to find the one most acceptable to your child. If that doesn’t work, using an oral irrigator may help.

Establish routines

It is important to encourage the habit of brushing the teeth after each meal and placing hygiene items in a fixed and accessible place, so the child can find them easily.

Use timers

Children with autism often have difficulty brushing for the dentist-recommended two-minute period, as they may want to finish it quickly. Provide some sort of timer, such as an hourglass, kitchen timer, or even a timer built into your toothbrush to help them maintain the proper duration of brushing.

Remember that each child is unique, so it is important to tailor these tips to the individual needs of each autistic patient. It’s important to start early.

If you want to learn more, we have a guide about when to start brushing a baby’s teeth.

Conclusion

We can all agree dental treatment in children with autism can be difficult. Fortunately, there are professionals trained to guide oral care for these patients.