In the Know for You to Know
Going to the Dentist is hard. For parents whose child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this is especially challenging.
What’s important for you to know is that dental care and oral hygiene routines will go very slowly at first. In fact, they may be non-existent.
Over time with compassion, lot’s of patience and determination at home and in the pediatric dental office achieving positive results is possible and will bring invaluable rewards for your child and for you.
Today we’re discussing strategies to help you help your child achieve successful dental care in the office.
Autism – One Size Does NOT Fit All
ASD is complex and individual. There can also be associated medical issues that your family is dealing with and need to be taken into consideration.
Some children are distant and detached from people and their surroundings, and may or may not be verbal. Other children may have repetitive routines and behaviors, unpredictable body movements, or self-injurious behaviors. There are some children who have sensory, taste and texture sensitivities. Each of these behaviors can complicate dental care and establishing oral hygiene routines.
Toothbrush Challenges
Have you ever thought about the feeling of a dental mirror or a toothbrush in your mouth? How the mirror or toothbrush bristles feel against your lips, your tongue, your cheeks and your tooth as you brush?
Have you ever really thought about the taste, the flavor or foamy feeling of toothpaste or the polishing paste in your mouth?
For children with Autism who have sensory issues these are very real feelings and unpleasant sensations.
Pediatric dental offices have all the bells and whistles for making going to the dentist fun. However they still have bright lights, loud noises and unfamiliar sights, smells and tastes.
A mirror, a toothbrush and toothpaste can be difficult for children with ASD who are sensitive to touch, smells, tastes, and textures, or do not tolerate people (including their parents) or objects near their ears, face and mouth.
Tips For A Good Trip To The Pediatric Dentist
- Call the office ahead of your visit to discuss your child’s medical history, needs and preferences. Ask if your child can tour the office before your appointment.
- While you’re on the phone or during the tour, ask if the office has or if you can bring noise-canceling headphones, a weighted blanket, or sunglasses, You can also ask if your child can listen to music or watch a movie. It’s okay to ask if it would be possible to turn off the fluorescent ceiling lights in the treatment room, and/or have limited talking during the appointment. If your child has self-soothing or a repetitive routine when they’re in a new environment remember to let them know.
- Some children with ASD may benefit from a gradual introduction to each step over multiple successive visits, rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. You can also ask the office if they offer introduction or “desensitization” visits to help prepare your child for their first visit, their cleaning appointment or their dental procedure.
- Tell your child ahead of time they are going to the dentist.
- Read a social story about going to the dentist (www.paautism.org)
- Read a book about going to the dentist. Some of our favorites are —Just Going To The Dentist by Mercer Mayer, The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig), Dora Goes To The Dentist (https://www.romper.com/p/17-childrens-books-about-dentists-to-prep-your-nervous-kid-18207819)
- Role play a dentist visit at home – You can put on disposable gloves, let your child touch them when they’re on your hands so they can feel the texture of the gloves, and practice looking in their mouth and counting their teeth. You can also do this with their toys.
- Prioritize toothbrushing and flossing at home. Make a routine and stay with it. Be your child’s role model. Repetition builds habits for all children.
- Encourage your child and do something fun as a reward for success at the end of the visit. (just not sweets or candy). This gives them positive reinforcement and associates the visit with something happy to look forward to.
- Always be positive when talking about the dentist and their upcoming appointment.
What To Remember
Pack your patience, it may take a while to get to where you want to be.
You may have dental visits which are agonizing, hair pulling, tearful, disappointing, painful and frustrating. If something works once it may not always work twice. Each time you need to regroup and move forward.
When you get there it will be so worth it!
Does your child have ASD? Do you have dental challenges? What tips will you share with us for dental visits? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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