Dental Hygiene! What fun!

americanabroad

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if there is such a thing as a dentist for children with special needs.  My son is four and a half and has SD CP.  Although we brush his teeth at least once a day, and usually twice (and he's fine with it), he has some serious plaque build up and our regular dentist shook his head and tutted at us at our last visit and suggested we sort of hold him in a headlock to brush his teeth properly.  I've also heard that babies who'd been placed on antibiotics at birth were more likely to have discoloured teeth.  Just generally, it would be great to speak to someone who knows about teeth and children with special needs.  Any advice would be helpful!  Thank you in advance

Sam_Alumni

Hi @americanabroad I know it's a different thing but I remember @VioletFenn
our ASD advisor talking about her son who has an autism diagnosis seeing a specialist dentist.  Violet, can you advise further?

There's a post here about dentists too that might be useful and information here.

Alex

Hi Americanabroad!

Yes, there are Special Care dentists. The British Society for Disability and Oral Health has a bit of info (and links to various fact sheets etc).

Not sure exactly how to find them - you might be able to Google "special care dentists" and your location. I tried that - and it's available from hospital local to me.

Hope that helps.

Blue Frog

Hi @americanabroad yes there are special dentists. We all went to see our family dentist a couple of weeks ago and she referred my daughter to the special one (as it took 4 of us us to get her and her wheelchair into the building!!) we got an appointment through the next day - am amazed 

laila

[email protected], My daughter had a similar problem when she was a baby. The dentist asked me to reduce acid food and drinks because she developed an allergy. 
  Since I gave her a lot of orange juice I had to cut on that too.
  The solution gave results

bendigedig

@americanabroad

Our son is 11.

hmmmm.  Its a worry isnt it?

You are not alone.  We have similar problems except our lad goes ballistic at every tooth brushing time.    Hmmmmmmmm.   Life is a daily struggle.  He totally gets it.  He understands.  He just hates it and if left to his own devices wont do it!   He too has abnormal plaque accumulation.

Just get as many regular trips in to the dental hygienist as is practically possible.  Brush as much as will be tollerated and pray that the wee mite can keep on top of it themselves when they are able.

Blue Frog

Oh my goodness it really has
been a week for teeth. 

Someone on here suggested chewy tubes - which are fantastic and have helped with the grinding 

But then, she lost her first milk tooth. Apparently it can happen very early with the condition we think she has.

The Genetics Team want the tooth to test - and I am pretty sure she swallowed it in her sleep. So I have had one of the grossest weekends of my life looking through all the nappies. No sign yet  

Hahahaha no one ever warns you about the delights of being a mum to a child with special needs

Sam_Alumni

Oh poop treasure hunts @Blue Frog  You poor thing!!!

forgoodnesssake

Hi, your local NHS community dentist should have someone with special needs experience - my son has gone to one of them since he was very young.  I don;t remember needing a specific referral.