Special-Needs Children Require Special Oral Health Strategies

Special-Needs Children Require Special Oral Health Strategies

While oral health is important to sustain a child’s overall good physical health, children with special needs—and their parents—often find necessary oral-care maintenance routines challenging.

At home, consistent, creative preparation can be very useful to keep toothbrushing time as stress-free as possible. If your child resists brushing in the bathroom, for instance, choose another room or setting. Make sure all objects you might need—everything from toothbrush to fresh water to swabs—are close at hand before beginning.

If a traditional toothbrush poses difficulties, you can buy or make an adaptive toothbrush that your child may be able to maneuver alone. The sense of independence this fosters will create positivity around the oral-health experience—something important for any special-needs child. If your child finds toothpaste difficult to tolerate, try using a very small amount (the size of half a pea) on the toothbrush.

Specific precautions can help prevent cavities that might be caused by taking certain liquid medications that contain sugar. Have your child rinse with water, if possible, after taking these medications, and ask your pharmacist if there are sugar-free variants for your child’s prescriptions. If your child experiences gastroesophageal reflux or another condition that causes frequent vomiting, you, your child and caregivers should understand that to get rid of even small amounts of residue, rinsing the mouth with water after an incident is crucial to preventing tooth decay.

Dr. Jared and his clinical team want to work with you and your child to make his or her dental care experiences as pleasant as possible. When you schedule your child’s appointment at KiDDS Dental, remind us of his or her special needs. If necessary, we can devote the first appointment—or even the first several appointments—to small steps that get your child acclimated to the office, the chair and the activities of a “real” visit. Then he or she will know what to expect during actual cleanings and care, and the chance of successful dental visits for years to come will rise exponentially.

Give us a call at 509-891-7070 to schedule today!

Soothing Your Baby’s Teething Blues

Soothing Your Baby’s Teething Blues

Think back to the last time you had a toothache. The soreness, the pain…it probably wasn’t the best day of your life. Now imagine experiencing discomfort like that for months on end. For some babies, this is how teething feels.

Your baby’s teeth begin to emerge when he or she is around 6 months old, and the whole set of 20 primary teeth usually will be in by the age of 3 years. Some babies aren’t bothered by the process, but for others, teething can be miserable—especially when the molars erupt from the gums. Symptoms such as fussiness, drooling, rash, refusing to eat, and gnawing on anything and everything in sight typically begin three to five days before the tooth erupts.

Luckily, there are ways to relieve your child’s discomfort (and yours, because having a fussy, miserable baby isn’t fun for anyone). Try the following to make teething easier for everyone:

• Using a clean finger, gently massage your baby’s gums for a few minutes. Apply pressure to the top of the gum line—this counters the pressure of the teeth coming in from below and helps soften the gum tissues.
• Offer solid silicone teething rings or other appropriate toys for your baby to chew on. You can put these in the refrigerator for a quick chill beforehand—the cold will soothe your baby’s gums. Avoid freezing the teething toy because icy teething rings can stick to the roof of the baby’s mouth and cause even more pain when you pry it off.
• If your baby is over 6 months old and eating solid food, try giving him or her rice rusks. A teething baby may also enjoy cold foods such as yogurt or cold pureed fruit.
• If your baby experiences major discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever may be helpful. Check with your pediatrician before you give your child any medication.

Although it may feel like your baby’s teething will last for all eternity, this stage will pass before you know it. In the meantime, bring your child to KiDDS Dental for regular check-ups when we can monitor his or her dental development.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.