Dental Care for Children with Autism in Longview, WA
The autism spectrum is vast, and providing professional dental care for children with autism requires special training, as well as an ability to adapt to the child’s unique needs. We adore our patients with autism and consider providing comprehensive dental care for them a privilege. If your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the team at Harbor Kid’s Dental & Orthodontics invites you to schedule an appointment in our fun, inviting, and welcoming children’s dental office.
DID YOU KNOW?
Worldwide, one in 160 children is diagnosed with ASD. We practice flexible behavior management techniques and desensitization activities, and when needed, we can administer sedation dentistry to deliver individualized dental care for children with autism.
Dental Care Issues for Patients with Autism
Your child may have trouble receiving dental care at home, and away from the familiarity of home, dental care only becomes more challenging. We deliver customized dental care for children with autism, including providing caregivers and parents with practical tips for home care.
Your child may experience these issues due to ASD:
- Stress and anxiety about dental care and visits
- Sensory hypersensitivity
- Difficulty remaining still during dental procedures
- Difficulty performing/receiving daily dental home care
- Early onset gum disease
- Gingival (gum) overgrowth
- Tooth decay
- Teeth grinding (often while sleeping)
- Trouble communicating their dental discomfort and pain
- Overly sensitive gag reflex
- Dry mouth as a side effect of medications
Help your child maintain good oral health by limiting sugars and starchy snacks. Make sure they drink plenty of water and brush twice a day, especially after a meal or sweet treat to rinse off the sugars that cling to teeth. Flossing is a challenge for some ASD patients, but it’s important for reducing the potential for cavities and gum disease.
We suggest preventive dental sealants on molars to protect against cavities and fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel. Most importantly, we’ll show you tips for home care, advise you about a healthy diet, and help you help your child enjoy good dental health long-term. Consider us partners in your child’s oral health care.
An Environment Suited for Children with Autism
When you and your child visit our office, the dentist will take time to chat with both of you as they take your child’s medical history and evaluate your child’s intellectual and functional abilities. We often use the tell-show-do technique to explain and demonstrate what the dentist is going to do during an exam, cleaning, or procedure.
Our team will also employ desensitization techniques to help your child feel comfortable in the dental chair, become familiar with the tools and fixtures in the treatment room, and get accustomed to the dentist exploring the mouth. Return visits may be smoother once your child becomes accustomed to visiting our office.
We’re also keen on keeping dental tools out of reach for safety and dimming overhead lights to help patients with autism feel more comfortable. Encourage your child to bring a comfort item, like a doll, toy, or tablet for distraction. Since you know your child best, we appreciate your input on strategies that help your kiddo, so please share your thoughts and feedback.
To deliver an excellent experience for children with autism, we employ these techniques:
- Sensory-friendly environment
- Desensitization techniques
- Visual aids
- Positive reinforcement
- Communication strategies
- Behavior management techniques
Dental Sedation for Patients with Autism
If your child would be best served by dental sedation during visits and procedures, let us know. If your child with ASD is unable to sit in the dental chair and hold their mouth open, or has a sensitive gag reflex, or compromises their safety during dental treatments may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. We offer two levels of sedation, so talk with the dentist about the best option for your child.
Your Partners in Dental Care
Your child is unique and precious to our team too, so we’ve taken measures to create an individualized, positive experience for each of our young patients. Children with autism spectrum disorder need specialized care. Our experience providing dental care to children with autism, as well as our training and understanding, make our office a great dental home for children with ASD.
Contact our Longview office today to schedule an appointment for your child. We can’t wait to see you!
