When Special Smiles Need Extra Attention: 4 Tips to Encourage Better Oral Health

Children with physical and intellectual disabilities, or those with special needs, face various challenges related to their oral health and hygiene. While simple brushing and flossing might come sooner and easier for some young patients, others need additional time, patience, and encouragement. If you are struggling to establish a good oral hygiene routine for your child, try these four tips for a more successful and positive daily experience.

What Kinds of Oral Health Problems Can Children with Special Needs Experience?

Cavities and tooth decay seem to be universal oral health problems for all children. However, these issues are not the only ones that exist.

Those who have “special needs” can also experience:

• Delayed tooth eruption and tooth loss
• Reduced saliva flow
• Gum inflammation caused by medications
• Poor oral hygiene due to physical limitations
• Missing teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Bite misalignment

What Can You Do to Help Your Child Maintain Good Oral Hygiene and Health?

Helping your child live their best life is what you strive to accomplish as a parent, and part of this includes ensuring they maintain good oral hygiene in the long run. Since this notion can be difficult for young ones with physical and intellectual disabilities, consider the following four tips:

• Find a Toothbrush Your Child Can Use: Depending on your child’s needs, they may require a special type of toothbrush to ensure adequate brushing. Consider one with a larger handle and a comfortable grip. You might also try one with three brush heads, especially if your child likes to bite down while trying to brush.
• Talk to Their Doctor About Their Medication: If the medicine they require contains a lot of sugar, ask to see if there are sugar-free alternatives. While they might need this medication to address a specific condition, the doctor should be willing to work with you to find an alternative that will not increase their risk for cavities or dental decay.
• Establish an Oral Hygiene Routine for the Family: Instead of standing idly by and watching your child try to brush or floss their teeth, do it together as a family. Make it an enjoyable time, as you can guarantee that your child will watch you take proper care of your smile.
• Try a New Toothpaste: Some children cannot handle mint-flavored toothpaste, so explore different options. If they like strawberry or bubble gum, they may find brushing their teeth more enjoyable and easier to do.

Children who have special needs deserve healthy smiles, too, so don’t hesitate to ask a pediatric dentist for additional ways you can encourage your loved one.

About the Author
Dr. Robert Stroud is a board-certified pediatric dentist who leads the team at his dental office in Willow Park, TX. He is pleased to work with patients who require special needs dentistry. His calm and encouraging demeanor helps everyone feel more comfortable in-house, so if you need help nudging your child to practice good oral hygiene, contact us at (817) 441-2425.