How to Help Autistic Loved Ones Protect Their Smiles

You may not have known, but April 2nd is a big deal in the special needs community. It happens to be Autism Awareness Day – a time to honor those on the autism spectrum and their needs. With that said, you should mark the occasion by helping autistic loved ones protect their smiles. Your local DeLand dentist will even get you started on the process. Just keep reading to learn about autism’s connection to oral health and ways to protect autistic smiles.

Autism & Oral Risks

It doesn’t get much attention sometimes, but the truth is that autism makes specific oral health issues more likely. This elevated risk even starts as early as childhood.

Note that autism greatly affects a person’s behavior over time. In both kids and adults, it often leads to bad oral habits, poor food choices, and other risky actions. Those things will damage one’s teeth and gums after a while, as well as interfere with good oral care – brushing, flossing, etc. Worse yet, severely autistic patients are often uncooperative at dental visits; they struggle to sit still and let dentists do their work.

Given the points above, pay attention to your autistic loved ones’ grins. Their teeth and gums often face more danger than you’d initially think.

Common Dental Problems for Autistic Patients

Based on current research, autistic patients are at greater risk of many dental problems. These include:

• Early and late tooth decay
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Teeth grinding
• Tooth anomalies (i.e., wrong size, shape, etc.)
• Accelerated or delayed eruption of teeth
• Gingival overgrowth
• Pits, lines, and other developmental defects in teeth

Tips for Helping Your Loved One’s Smile

While the process is tricky, it’s possible to protect your autistic loved one’s smile. Just make sure you do the following:

• Simplify Oral Care – Those with autism are often overstimulated, so make their at-home oral care simple and calm. For instance, you could have them use an electric toothbrush, oral irrigator, or even a tooth timer. These items would make teeth-cleaning an easier task.
• Remember to Encourage – By rewarding your autistic peer for good behavior, you’d discourage bad oral habits and promote better ones.
• Get a Great Dentist – To the extent possible, seek a dentist specializing in autistic patients. They’ll help your loved one overcome any dental anxiety.

Your autistic loved ones deserve to have strong, healthy smiles. So, use the tricks above to honor them and their grins this Autism Awareness Day!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher J. Cowell is a dentist based in DeLand, FL, having earned his DMD from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. His 30-plus years in the field have made him an advanced expert in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental work, as well as emergency oral care. As a result, you can trust him (and his team) to help your smile thrive! Today, Dr. Cowell practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (386)-734-8585.