Submitted by Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington
Millions of children live with some form of a disability: intellectual, developmental/physical, or a combination of both. These disabilities can hinder their performance of every day skills, such as proper oral hygiene, which increases the possibility of tooth decay and gum disease. Special needs children may require special dental services performed by a pediatric dentist.
It might be tempting to just postpone a dental visit if you know it will be stressful for your child, but this could be harmful to your child’s health. Establishing relationships with dental care providers and encouraging good oral-care habits in a young child’s life are keys to building a lifelong foundation of oral health. Pediatric dentists who are experienced in working with children, including those with special needs, have skills and training in many specific techniques that will help alleviate anxiety and foster a positive attitude so that the routine exam or necessary treatment can proceed.
Following are a few tips to ease your hesitation and encourage you to avoid further delay of enlisting a qualified dental healthcare provider’s help with your child’s dental care.
- See a tooth — make an appointment: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that a child visit the dentist by one year of age. Establishing a relationship with the dentist and the office staff early on will help create a routine and safe environment in which the child trusts those around.
- Model Good Behavior — brush together at home: You’ve seen those cute commercials where parent and child share in their teeth brushing routine — why not try it at home? Make sure your child sees you brushing, and encourage them to participate. You can give a child a toothbrush with only water to begin, and as they learn to rinse, you may add toothpaste. Establishing a consistent routine of oral hygiene is the best means of maintaining optimal dental health.
- Start now — no matter what the age: Let’s say you have a six-year-old with autism, who is very sensitive to light, sound, touch, and taste.
You know she needs to see a dentist but you’ve been putting it off because it will likely be extremely stressful for her. Start by visiting the dental office yourself and ask the staff about their experience with children who may have special needs. Let the dentist know about the specific concerns and challenges as they relate to your child. The initial appointment may involve only an exam and toothbrushing while sitting in the dental chair or their parent’s lap. If your child is of an older age, some preparation from books or visual aids may help. This will help establish a relationship and allow them to get comfortable with the dental environment, which is a key to success during the future appointments.
Creating a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health begins at home with daily activities like brushing your teeth together. If you can introduce your child to dental care providers early, do it! If your child is older and you are just now starting, that’s okay too — they are there to help. Routines, patience, and understanding are key to trauma-free office visits. Now that’s something to smile about!
Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington is a specialized dental office for children 0 to 18 and special needs patients. They are located at 1112 Trinity Ln. in Bloomington and may be reached at 309-663-7339. Ask about their “No-Cavity Club” and the rewards kids may earn.