Dental Hygiene and Children with Special Needs

As a pediatric dentist on New York's Staten Island, Glenn J. Marie, DDS, draws on more than 25 years of practice experience. Glenn J. Marie, DDS, serves a diverse group of patients, which includes children with autism, Down syndrome, and other special needs.

Children with special needs have a higher likelihood than their typically developing peers to have cavities and other oral health issues. This may be due to atypically formed teeth, which accumulate plaque and debris more easily, though it may also stem from an increased intake of sugar due to medications or special feeding regimens. In addition, if the child has a tendency toward uncontrolled movement, his or her oral tissue may be prone to trauma.

Proper brushing goes a long way toward preventing these problems, yet many children with special needs have trouble maintaining a brushing regimen. For some children, the issue is emotional, and a distraction can make the process easier. For others, the act of holding a toothbrush poses the biggest problem. Placing the toothbrush in a bicycle handle or other soft, spongy holder may remedy the matter.

Likewise, if a child has trouble with flossing, a Waterpik® may be an effective alternative. Many parents of children with special needs also find that the use of wipes or rinses containing xylitol (a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener) can be an extra preventive step.

Parents of children with special needs must also take care when choosing a dental office. It is important to select a dentist who has experience caring for children with special needs and to start visits early, so that the child becomes accustomed to the process. Some families also find that rehearsing the dental visit at home in a play setting can help to prepare the child, though it rarely hurts to have a comfort object on hand during the visit.