Here are 7 tips to help ease the stress children living with certain medical, intellectual and physical disabilities may have with the dentist and oral care:
- Clean Your Child’s Teeth Daily: If your child resists the traditional way of brushing, try to brush your child’s teeth with their head in your lap. This can soothe their nerves.
- Make Accommodations: Make tooth-brushing time easier for your child. If your child can’t grip the toothbrush, cut a hole in a tennis ball and slide the toothbrush through. If that doesn’t work, try using a piece of Velcro to wrap around the child’s hand and hold the brush in place.
- Practice Healthy Eating Habits: A bunch of grapes or slices of an apple make much more desirable snacks than store-bought munchies.
- Find the Right Dentist: Look for a dentist experienced in working with children with special needs, as not all dentists have the specific training or expertise required. Seek out specialists in this area and consider asking other parents of children with special needs for recommendations.
- Make a Plan: Before your child’s appointment, talk with the dentist to address any concerns. Ask what to expect and how to prepare your child. Be sure to mention any behaviors that may affect the visit or eating habits that could contribute to tooth decay.
- Oral Health is Health: Make your dentist a part of your child’s health team. Visiting a dentist should be held at the same priority level as visiting the medical doctor.
- Avoid Trigger Words: Help to make your child feel safe at the dentist. Avoid using words like “shot” and “drill” or phrases like “be brave.” This can add to your child’s anxiety.
