DENTAL HYGIENE WITH SENSORY ISSUES
For a child with sensory sensitivities dental hygiene and visits to the dentist can be very difficult. There are ways to help a child who is orally defensive to learn to brush, floss and accept dental visits. Oral health is incredibly important for life long health, so here are so ideas for helping your child.
All children should be supervised when brushing their teeth until they are 7-8 years old. Some children who cannot physically brush their teeth effectively will need additional assistance. For children with sensory sensitivities it is necessary to gradually introduce tooth brushing and flossing. Here are some ideas to gently introduce aspects of dental hygiene:
1. Provide gentle pressure to the back of your child’s head for five seconds, three times. Do this 3-5 times a day where your child will brush their teeth. This gives them more tolerable sensory input in preparation for tooth brushing.
2. Once your child is comfortable with the pressure on the back of your head slowly extend the routine by applying pressure to other ears of the head and face. This procedure should be very gradual.
3. Once you are able to touch your child’s face without your child showing discomfort or distress use a warm washcloth for the same routine. Encourage your child to allow you to touch their teeth with the washcloth. Please note that this process could take weeks to month to get to this point.
4. When the child is ready introduce a soft bristled toothbrush with no toothpaste.
5. Once your child is ready for toothpaste use a small, pea-sized amount.
6. Involve your child in purchasing a tooth brush and tooth paste. Allow them to pick the color, character and flavor. Children’s toothbrushes and toothpastes have fun and familiar characters.
7. Brush your child’s teeth in a place they feel more comfortable. It doesn’t have to be in the bathroom.
If you are struggling to help your child to brush his or her teeth we can help. Our occupational therapists can work with your child to develop a plan and strategies that will allow your child to accept oral hygiene routines. If you’d like more information call us at 651-636-4155.