In the Know for You to Know
For parents it’s all about finding creative ways to introduce and teach your child about tooth brushing and routine oral hygiene. Every child responds in their own way, and for children with Autism their reactions may be unforeseen because of communication challenges, or certain behavioral characteristics to new changes in routine and sensory sensitivities.
This is especially stressful for you when you’re trying to establish healthy dental hygiene habits and your child is overwhelmed by sounds, smells, tastes, textures, or flavors.
So what to do and where to start to overcome your tooth brushing struggles?
In our last post My Child Has Autism, How Can I Brush Their Teeth? we suggested 2 ideas. Creating a step by step picture guide book (aka story board) or an activity schedule. We included a step by step plan for you on how to assemble your own story board and activity sheet. Which one (or both) you choose, they are absolutely helpful and go a long way to establishing your daily routine.
Now that you have your story board or activity sheet ready to go it’s time for the next step–
Second, Let’s Practice
There are a lot of movements we make with our mouths when we brush, so it’s always good to practice.
1st, it’s great to start with opening wide, and staying open wide. Maybe you make it a game and count to see how long you can both stay open wide. Remember to use the phone timer to count those seconds.
2nd, let’s count teeth. How many teeth are in there? Yes you need to count all the way to the back so be sure to (you guessed it) stay open wide.
3rd, let’s brush. Put a dab of toothpaste on the brush, remember to open wide, and let’s brush those teeth slowly and gently. Maybe you can count teeth, sing a song, or use the phone timer to count. Remember your goal is 2Minutes 2X’s A Day.
For children who have taste or texture sensitivity, there are fluoride tooth pastes that come in different flavors (bubblegum, berry), or unflavored or non-foaming (sodium lauryl sulfate free). There are also choices for toothbrushes, such as a spinning or battery-powered toothbrush for children who like vibration.
4th, time to spit out the toothpaste. Spitting not happening? No problem, drooling out the toothpaste in the sink (or washcloth) and wiping with a wet washcloth is a good alternative, or skip the drooling and use the wet wash cloth.
Sometimes children need more assistance and more practice with brushing their teeth.
If brushing is challenging it may be the sensation is uncomfortable. If that’s the case then try showing the brushing on your finger first, then on their finger, then on the back of their hand, then on their lips, then just inside their mouth or pick the 2 front teeth (top or bottom their choice) and start with brushing those teeth.
Third, Help Your Child Learn The Steps For Toothbrushing
Your child’s age determines how much tooth paste goes on their brush. If they’re 3 years old and younger place a rice grain size of tooth paste on their brush. If they’re older than 3 years old place a peas size amount on their brush.
- Brush the top front teeth (inside, outside, and chewing surfaces),
- Brush the bottom front teeth (inside and outside),
- Brush the bottom back teeth (outside, inside, and top surface),
- Brush the top back teeth (inside, outside, and chewing surface),
- Finally, brush all around and spit out the tooth paste.
Fourth, Develop A Reward System
Children adore receiving praise from their parents and parents are eager to show their pride in their child, so let your child know how proud of them you are.
You can also start a rewards system (such as a rewards jar or sticker book) to reinforce your pride and their positive behavior after toothbrushing is complete.
Medical and Dental Go Together
As parents you may be dealing with multiple pressing significant health issues for your child and you need to prioritize their needs. They may be taking medicines that are sugar flavored so that you can get them to take it. Going to bed with a bottle of a nutrition drink may be part of your nightly routine because your child needs to gain weight.
Please do not let their dental health take a back seat. It can be as easy as wiping their mouths, tongue and cheeks with a wet washcloth while you are holding them. Or alternating their bottle with water so they don’t fall asleep with the sugary liquid on their teeth even though you’re still wiping their teeth with a wash cloth. You can always slip in some water for them to drink during the day or begin by diluting their juice with 50% water then 75% water then 100% water.
Remember What’s Most Important
Lots of praise, hugs and smiles for both of you!
Tell us about your Story Board or Activity Sheet. How is brushing time for your family? What works for your family? Share your tip with us, we’d love to know. Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline.
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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