If you’re a parent to a child with autism, we understand how challenging even the most “routine” daily activities can be. From choosing clothing to sitting down for a meal, you know better than anyone what your child needs. But when it comes to their dental health, you may feel like you’re at a loss. How can you help your child avoid preventable diseases such as tooth decay when even providing home oral hygiene can be very challenging.
Here are some simple tips that can help your child enjoy healthier teeth. Some may work better than others for your family.
Drink Plenty of Water
Make drinking tap water fun. Maybe have a special cup or water bottle your child can keep with them. Tap water is fluoridated and helps to naturally cleanse your child’s teeth every time they drink it. Staying hydrated is an easy way to lower their risk of cavities, especially if your child must take several medications. Children’s formulations of medicines can often contain sugar to make them more tolerable.
Have Your Child Choose Their Toothbrush
Maybe it’s a particular color, character, or texture that your child is drawn to. If your child doesn’t mind the noise and added stimulation, direct them toward an electric toothbrush which will may help you remove much more plaque than a manual brush can.
Keep a Routine
Routines can be extremely important for children with autism. Try to make brushing a 2-3x a day routine, with flossing at least a once a day activity (preferably before bedtime). The more consistency here the better.
Relax and Visit the Dentist Routinely
Most dental diseases are preventable. When our Michigan pediatric dentists are able to monitor your child’s oral health development on a routine basis, we can intercept possible issues while they’re still reversible or smaller to treat.
At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, we’re committed to partnering with parents to provide the best care possible for children with autism. Call us today to reserve an appointment for your family.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan has specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. We have the ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs as we have treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
