Dental offices are known for their sights, sounds, smells, and especially for younger patients who haven’t had a lot of visits to their pediatric dentist, a variety of unknown factors. For children on the autism spectrum who experience sensory processing challenges, the dental office can feel overwhelming all-around. The good news is that with a knowledgeable team of pediatric dentists in Hinsdale by your child’s side, their overall experience can be much more positive. Read on to learn about helpful insights on how to set your child up for success.
Are They Sensory Seeking?
For children who prefer sensory input, you can help them develop good habits early on by building a routine at home. Try having them brush their teeth while their favorite song is playing in the background, using brushing applications to track their progress, or even having a timer running in the background to let them know when it’s time to stop.
When it’s time for them to visit the dental office, let their pediatric dentist know how they self-soothe and be sure to bring their favorite fidget toys or other comforting items to the office for them to use.
Are They Sensory Avoiding?
If your child tends to avoid sensory input, you may need to get a little more creative about making important hygiene routines like toothbrushing comfortable for them. They may be reluctant of the taste and texture of the toothpaste or even the pressure or buzzing of their electric toothbrush. Ask them questions to understand what sensations they don’t like and try adjusting the products with this knowledge, like buying them a different flavor of toothpaste or a toothbrush with a different-textured handle on it.
Likewise, letting their pediatric dentist know about their preferences prior to their dental visits can help them make your child’s experience more pleasant and less stimulating!
Are Pediatric Dentists Better with Children with Autism?
When it comes to choosing the right type of dentist for your child, it’s important to consider the unique training and experience that they have. While general dentists may be familiar with treating all ages, they don’t specialize in seeing certain age ranges. This can make them less familiar with the unique challenges that children with autism spectrum disorder face.
On the other hand, pediatric dentists undergo an additional two to three-year residency program after dental school where they solely treat infants, children and teenagers. They also specifically train in treating children with special needs and disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, to name a few. As such, they are prepared with a more diverse array of techniques, skills, and understanding than general dentists on how to best serve children with autism.
Although your child may be reluctant about visiting the pediatric dentist’s office at first, by taking them to a team that will build a relationship with them and establish trust, the long-term picture of their oral health will look much brighter.
About the Practice
At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our team of five highly skilled, board-certified pediatric dentists have all of the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to provide your child with autism with top-tier dental care. We even offer safe children’s sedation for those in need to create a more relaxing experience as well. To learn more about our team’s unique qualifications and to schedule an appointment for your kiddo, visit our website or call 630-504-2223.