Help Your Child With Autism Get Through Their Dental Appointment
Posted on: 17 October 2016
It is suggested that children visit a dentist before they have teeth to acclimate the child to the experience and to ensure there are no issues that may impact healthy teeth later on. Parents of children with autism face distinct challenges in taking their child to the dentist, as the stimulation of routine appointments can cause distress and behaviors that hinder the examination process.
Be cognizant of the specific obstacles that wait in your child's dental office and prepare for appointments with these in mind:
Stimulation reaction.
Children with autism are particularly sensitive to bright lights, vibrant colors, and loud noises. These are all-too common in a pediatric dental office, so let the dental provider know that your child has autism.
Seizure activity.
Autism often accompanies seizures in children. Make sure that your child has had any medications, including anti-convulsants, prior to the appointment. Also, let the dental provider know of any triggers or medical risks that you are aware of prior to your child's exam.
Involuntary movement.
Most parents have observed a pattern of involuntary movements in their child with autism, which helps them better predict and prepare for these behaviors. Let the provider know of these patterns so that they can time and work on the child's teeth in phases or small segments, avoiding periods of movement. Keep the path to the dental office and exam room clear of any items that could cause an injury during the appointment.
Predisposed risks.
Autism can pose some serious risks that parents and providers should be aware of; typical medications used with patients with autism can impact and even harm the teeth. These medications may also increase saliva or contain sugar, which are also damaging to teeth. Furthermore, behaviors that accompany this condition like biting can cause tooth injury, and incidental injury to the mouth can occur during a seizure.
Verbal issues.
It is not uncommon for children with autism to become frightened during a new or scary experience, which can lead to resistance and combative behaviors. Make sure that the provider is aware of the child's intellectual level so that they can engage their patient at an appropriate level to alleviate fears. The process of explaining each step of the exam and showing the child dental tools can take time; you may need to bring the child back several times to complete the exam when trying to assist the child in tolerating the procedure.
It is even more important for parents of children with autism to make and maintain regular dental appointments, due to the mainstream risk of periodontal disease as well as for inherent risks of dental issues associated with autism. Collaborate with your child's dentist and prepare for the appointment to make it as non-stimulating and uneventful as possible.
Share