Oral Hygiene for Children with Disabilities

Typically, a baby gets their first tooth when they are 6 months old. This is a good time to schedule an appointment with the dentist. You might ask, “What if they don’t have teeth?” That’s OK. By seeing your child at a young age, the dentist can start evaluating your child’s mouth and give you tips on how to brush. Doing so will help reduce the chance of cavities.

One way to lower the chance of cavities is by brushing baby teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Another way is to limit the amount of sugar your child eats. Moderation is key. 

For example, after the baby’s first molars are out, typically at 12-18 months, it is important to limit the bottle with milk at night. One recommendation is to water down the milk. For example, you can start with three-quarters milk and one-quarter water, then slowly increase it to where it is all water at night. 

Parents also should know about medicines their child takes daily. Some liquid medicines have sugar added to them for a better taste. Some medicines can cause dry mouth. If this is the case, parents should have their child brush their teeth or drink water after the medicine.

Children with special health care needs are more at risk for oral health problems. Their baby teeth may be delayed and take a long time to come in. This could cause crooked or crowded teeth. 

All of this can make it hard for parents or caregivers to keep up with teeth cleaning. With some disabilities, there is a bigger chance that the child will grind their teeth. This can cause the enamel to break down, leading to pain or even having the tooth pulled.

Depending on the size of the decay, dental treatment might be needed. Treatment can range from fillings to having teeth pulled. 

Many parents think, “It doesn’t matter. They’re just baby teeth, and they’ll grow back.” However, leaving the cavities can cause pain and lead to an infection. Baby teeth are place holders to allow enough space for the adult teeth to come in. If you remove baby teeth, there is a chance that there will not be enough room for adult teeth, and the child could require braces. 

Good oral hygiene starts at home. If you show your child how to brush, floss and visit the dentist regularly, they will continue to have good habits as they get older. Yes, when your child is a baby, it can be difficult to brush their teeth because they squirm. But this is a battle you must win. 

Parents can always ask for tips and tricks from their dentist or dental assistants. Remember, brushing for two minutes twice a day is important.

Learn more about oral health and dental care for your child on this website.