Whereas developmentally disabled youngsters do face additional challenges caring for their enamel and gums, the best assist makes it potential for many to keep up a wholesome smile. That’s why it’s vital for fogeys and caregivers to assist with each day oral well being routines and make common dental visits a cushty expertise.
Let’s study extra in regards to the challenges disabled youngsters face. Beneath, we’ll go over a couple of methods to assist the oral well being of kids with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, seizure problems, imaginative and prescient and/or listening to impairments and different cognitive and bodily disabilities.
A big nationwide research confirmed that youngsters with developmental disabilities had fewer dental visits and extra unmet dental wants than different youngsters.1
Disabled Kids Are at Increased Threat for Oral Well being Points
It’s an unlucky reality that oral well being issues might be extra prone to develop amongst youngsters with disabilities because of behavioral, bodily and/or cognitive challenges. Listed below are a couple of frequent points to look out for:
- Tooth decay, gum disease and lacking enamel are frequent.
- Tooth that aren’t aligned (an issue generally known as malocclusion), could make chewing and talking tough.
- Misaligned enamel additionally create brushing challenges that enhance the chance of gum illness, cavities, and oral accidents.
- Habits that injury oral well being can develop, similar to enamel grinding and clenching, holding meals within the mouth for too lengthy (pouching), mouth respiratory, and/or tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue in opposition to the again of the enamel).
- Delayed tooth eruption can happen in youngsters with Down syndrome. The primary child tooth might not seem till the kid is 2 years outdated.
- Mouth trauma and harm from falls or accidents are extra frequent in individuals with seizure problems or cerebral palsy.
Why Are These With Developmental Disabilities Extra at Threat?
There might be a wide range of danger components relying on a toddler’s incapacity, however among the extra frequent causes embrace:
- Persistent drugs: Some drugs have excessive sugar content material, which might trigger dry mouth that results in a buildup of plaque and micro organism. One other potential concern from medicine is extra gum development, which might enhance the quantity of micro organism within the mouth.
- Meals pouching: Holding meals within the mouth for an prolonged time frame with out swallowing could cause extra sugar to stay to their enamel, making cavities extra doubtless.
- Muscle points: It may be tougher to take a seat in a dental chair relying on the problem.
- Challenges with brushing and flossing: Bodily disabilities might make a each day oral well being routine tough.
Making ready for a Profitable Dentist Go to
A bit of additional planning and preparation can go a good distance towards a profitable go to to the dentist. In actual fact, that preparation begins previous to even scheduling an appointment. Start by doing a little on-line analysis on suppliers close to you and discover a pediatric dentist who has expertise treating youngsters with disabilities.
When you’ve discovered the best dentist, there are a couple of methods you can all work collectively to create a optimistic, wholesome expertise:
Days earlier than your little one’s appointment, name the dentist’s workplace to debate making the appointment extra environment friendly and efficient:
- Talk about something the workplace can do to assist make your little one extra bodily comfy, particularly if the kid has issue sitting within the dental chair.
- Make the dentist conscious of your little one’s communication abilities and something the workplace can do to assist them really feel emotionally relaxed.
- Present an inventory of any drugs your little one is on, in addition to any dietary restrictions or different challenges. Specifically, let your dentist know in case your little one has a latex allergy, which happens extra typically amongst these with disabilities. This info can affect the remedy your dentist supplies.
- The day of the appointment, convey gadgets with you that will assist your little one calm down, similar to a favourite toy or transportable music participant.
After the Go to, Stick with an Oral Well being Routine at Residence
It’s important to brush twice a day for 2 minutes every time and to floss each day. Proceed to help or supervise your little one with their each day oral well being care if they’re having difficulties. (A floss holder or floss choose might make this course of simpler.)
Additionally look ahead to meals pouching or different points – if that is frequent, encourage rinsing the mouth out with water after meals and snack occasions.
1 Obeidat, R., Noureldin, A., Bitouni, A. et al. Oral well being wants of U.S. youngsters with developmental problems: a population-based research. BMC Public Well being
