Autism & Dental Care

Each April The Autism Society of America celebrates Autism Acceptance Month. This month is dedicated to empowering the Autistic community to live fully and connect them with the resources they need in their communities. As a Pediatric Dental provider in Mount Pleasant, SC – we can help you create and maintain a healthy smile for your child on the spectrum.

Why is dental care important?

Sometimes, the traditional brushing/ flossing routine can be more difficult with children on the spectrum, therefore; they can be more susceptible to the following dental problems:

• Gingival Overgrowth – the overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth.
• Early tooth decay.
• Gingivitis/Inflammation of the gums.
• Excessive Bruxism or teeth grinding.

But don’t worry, you can prevent these problems with a few simple steps:

1. Establish a dental provider early.
2. Maintain consistent exams in a dental setting to reduce anxiety of the unknown.
3. Learn and follow through with best diet and hygiene practices at home.

Remember, prevention is always the best method to a clean, healthy smile.

Autism and the dental office:

The common sights and sounds of daily life can be very overwhelming and lead to sensory overload. The office environment itself can be challenging and a simple teeth cleaning involves vibration, brushing, scaling and rinsing. Most children accept this as normal, but children with autism can be especially sensitive to these sensations and sounds. Pediatric Dentists are trained to serve this population and their offices typically offer appointments that help children adjust to the dental setting.

Find the right dentist for your Autistic child:

At Kids Teeth we provide the following accommodations for our special needs patients which will be scheduled based upon each patient’s individual needs. The doctors will evaluate your child and may recommend the following:

• Scheduling patients in our private rooms to lessen outside distractions.
• Having an extra staff member present to help us provide a safe, thorough, and efficient visit for the patient.
• Having parents present in the treatment area to help comfort or assist us with their child’s care.
• Increasing the frequency of cleanings up to every three months may be recommended. This prevents the common problems listed above as well as getting patients more familiar with the dental environment.

During your child’s visit, we make every effort possible to make sure the patient is comfortable. Our team has been known to sing, dance, and even tell jokes. In addition to the suggestions above, we also offer the following comfort methods:

• Weighted blankets for enhanced comfort.
• A papoose or protective stabilization can be used for our patient’s safety and comfort.
• Specialized home care tips and tricks including utilization of specialized dental care products if needed.

Sedation dentistry:

If the dentist determines that a child will benefit from treatment, they will discuss how to safely render the needed care. For the patient’s safety and mental wellbeing, different forms of  behavior management may be recommended. These include various types of sedation that will be tailored to each child’s individual needs.

Prepare for your dental visit:

It can be helpful to role play with your child prior to their dental visit. This includes using positive words and avoiding terminology that could promote anxiety. Kids Teeth offers the following tools:

• Kids Teeth Social Story
• Kids Teeth Experience Video
• Schedule a “pre-visit”

Schedule an appointment:

At Kids Teeth, we understand the unique challenges that come with serving the autistic community and look forward to helping your child receive the dental care they need.  Please reach out to our New Patient Coordinator, Belinda, to schedule a dental appointment, or ask additional questions. We look forward to meeting you and your family soon!

Charleston Walk for Autism: