Dental Care Tips for Children with Autism

Overcoming Oral Health Challenges for Children with Autism

Among those parents who have children with autism, close to half of them describe their child’s oral health as “fair” or “poor.” This is not surprising, however – often times, a visit to the dentist can present many challenges for parents, the dentist, and the child. Often times, a trip to the dental chair causes sensory overload with everything from the loud sounds to the weird smells to the unfamiliar tools to the room full of strangers attempting to clean the child’s teeth. All of these factors can make a trip to the dentist a difficult one for any child and especially for children with autism.

Here are some tips to help parents overcome the challenges of oral health with children with autism.

Begin at Home

Often times, when children with autism first see the dentist, they have already developed some serious dental issues requiring extensive work in the dentist’s chair and possibly even surgery. It is important to work on good oral hygiene at home to help prevent these types of serious situations from occurring. If you are struggling with your child's oral hygiene, consider working it into their morning or evening routine and creating a visual schedule for them to follow and reference. Additionally, try to work foods containing protein, calcium, and other nutrients into their diet that promote better oral health.

Prepare for Dental Visits

When it is time for your child to go to the dentist, make sure to prepare ahead of time. Start by talking to professionals and other parents with autistic children to see which dental professional is best suited for your child’s needs. Once you have narrowed down some choices, make sure to call the office or set up a consultation to discuss the appointment and your child’s specific condition and needs. Some dental offices do what is called a “visual exam” where they look in the child’s mouth without them having to leave the waiting room – this may be a great first introduction for going to the dentist.

There are a number of other steps parents can take to help prepare their child and themselves for a visit to the dentist. Consider creating a visual explaining to the child what will happen during the visit, having your teeth examined before theirs to show them what the process is, or even asking for permission to video tape a visual tour of the office and procedure to show the child beforehand. Parents can consider involving a behavioral psychologist to assist them with the visit should it be problematic.

If you're preparing your autistic child for his or her first dental visit, remember it always helps to consult with your dentist beforehand, and you can also sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan to save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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