Parenting a special-needs child can be so challenging that dental care often becomes a low priority. You can probably relate to the endless medical appointments, behavioral concerns, and just plain exhaustion of caring for you child each day. According to the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child is said to have special needs if he or she has chronic behavioral, developmental, emotional, or physical conditions that limit daily activities.
Some children with special health needs, such as those with genetic disorders or down syndrome, may experience significant delays with tooth eruption. It can be as long as two years in some cases. Children with special needs can also experience malformed, missing, or extra teeth as well as poor alignment and crowded teeth. These challenges can be difficult to treat when a child is uncooperative with dental care or dentists are unwilling to treat a child with special needs.
Children with behavioral challenges may grind their teeth habitually, resulting in a wearing away of the tooth enamel. Additionally, an impaired immune system can increase the risks of tooth decay and gum disease. Medications that cause dry mouth increase these risks as well.
Unfortunately, many dentists lack training in treating children with special needs and therefore refuse to take them as patients. Those who do may require that the child is heavily sedated during the appointment, which you as a parent might not want. For kids who thrive on routine, a visit to the dentist can be overwhelming and terrifying. Bright lights, loud noises, strangers looking in their mouth, and not really understanding why they are there can lead to a full-on meltdown. For parents who have experienced this too many times, avoiding the dentist altogether seems like a better solution.
If you know your child struggles with dental appointments, we encourage you to seek a dentist who specifically states that he or she has education and experience treating children with special needs. Some clinics may have a policy that allows you to visit with your child several times to get him or her accustomed to the experience. The staff tackles one thing at a time, such as showing your son or daughter equipment at one session and then briefly examining the mouth at the next. If you can find a clinic willing to do this, it’s your best bet for a positive experience.
We not only sell all the Triple Bristle products here on our website but we also sell the toothbrush and replacement bristles on Amazon. After selling on Amazon for a while now, we have received a lot of reviews from parents and caregivers who have incorporated the Triple Bristle into their daily routine not only for themselves but for their children. Although we do not recommend using the toothbrush on smaller mouths and young children, parents have definitely found some relief in using the Triple Bristle as a tool to help along the way.
If you are a caregiver for a special needs child or adult, or an aging loved one, one of the many things you are responsible for is their oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing someone else’s teeth might feel a bit awkward at first, but with the right tools and a bit of practice—can be streamlined.
You may have to try a few before you find the right one. If your special needs patient or family member does not have the patience for daily flossing, aim for every other day.
There is an endless option of handheld toothbrushes to choose from, but your priorities are a bit different when brushing someone else’s teeth. When you select a new toothbrush for your teeth, you pick one that feels comfortable for you. However, you can’t tell if a toothbrush is comfortable for your special needs client, and they may not be able to tell you ifit’s uncomfortable. For this reason, err on the side of caution, and always brush gently. Select a toothbrush with a small brush head and soft bristles—that you switch out every 90 days. Also, look for manual and electric toothbrushes with multiple brush heads, designed to slash brushing time in half.
There are many challenges that come with brushing someone else’s teeth, particularly that you can’t feel if you are brushing at the proper 45-degreeangle. The farther back in their mouth you get, the more difficult this is to determine. You may be able to ease this process with an electric or self-adjusting toothbrush. However, not everyone likes the feel or sound of electric toothbrushes—so this may not be an option.
When switching to a sonic tooth brush, remember that it may take a few weeks for gums to adjust to the new sensation. Gums may even bleed a bit at first. Start by using an electric brush every other day, and slowly build up to twice daily.Electric toothbrushes are also a perfect way to empower special needs loved ones to brush their teeth with minimal assistance.
Many caregivers are worried about their patient or loved one swallowing their toothpaste. Remember, that all you need is a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to get the job done. For toddlers, small teeth, or only a few teeth—a smear is sufficient. To eliminate the worry of swallowing, dissolve toothpaste in a few teaspoons of water before brushing. Don’t underestimate the importance of selecting the right toothpaste. Test a few pastes and gels to find one that feels good. Avoid whitening formulas and baking soda pastes as they can be abrasive, and because your patient may not be able to explain that it stings or burns.
If your special needs patient can swish and spit, follow up daily brushing and flossing with a fluoride rinse. If swishing isn’t possible, dip their rinsed toothbrush in a rinse—and gently spread across their teeth—with special attention to back teeth with deep concaves.
While everyone should go in for cleanings and exam every 6 months, this is even more important for special needs patients. Dependent on their health concerns, they may even need to go in more than twice yearly.
As every care giver knows, not everyone has the patience required to work with elderly or special needs patients. This means you will need to find a dentist who can take the extra time and care to make your special needs patient comfortable. Don’t worry, there are dentists who have the bedside manner you are in need of—but it may not be your current family dentist.
Set a goal to brush twice daily, or after every meal—and floss once a day. Even if you can’t get two full minutes in each time, focus on at least two of the four quadrants each time you brush—ensuring that all teeth are brushed at least once a day.