Parents are often afraid to take the autistic child to the dentist since they are well aware of the difficulties of bonding to him/her and are engaged in daily care work that create a protective barrier to the outside. However, this is too much protection as autistic children, like everyone else, need treatment, including dental care.
This is why it is good to get him/-her used to contact with the external professional, but are there children who are impossible to cure? Often, MC20 dentists meet parents who claim that their children are unmanageable, but our philosophy is to offer the best dental care to everyone, including autistics.
It is only a question, always with the help of mom and dad, to find the best way to relate to them with techniques and therapies that allow you to create a good bond between the child, the parents, and the doctor to achieve an extraordinary result.
How to tell if the autistic child has a dental problem
In most cases, compared to other young patients, the autistic child does not conventionally communicate the discomfort. For this reason, MC20 dentists recommend paying attention to some signs to understand if the autistic child has a dental problem. In particular, it is vital to book a visit to your trusted dentist if:
• The child touches his cheek or puts his hands in his mouth often.
• The child is more restless than usual and tends to carry objects in his mouth.
• The child makes unnatural or unusual movements while chewing, or chews on one side only.
• The child makes unusual expressions when he eats or when he drinks.
• You see dark spots on the teeth.
If these bizarre behaviors continue for a few days, it may be worth consulting a dentist to find out if something is wrong.
Useful tips for the health of the teeth in case of autism
Anyone who has a child – autistic or not – must have their child brush their teeth daily and pass on this good habit. However, the child with autism is often uncooperative. What to do then?
1. Use a little toothpaste.
2. Find a toothpaste flavor your child likes.
3. Use electric toothbrushes.
4. Don’t eat sugary foods throughout the day.
Dentist and autism: the importance of an empathic relationship
The MC20 dentist is a kind professional and a friend of children and knows how to take care of the dental health of the little ones even in the presence of autism. In general, it is a matter of creating a relationship based on empathy and trust with the child to be visited and proposing preventive visits, dental hygiene, and dental treatments as a game where the child becomes a superhero.
This way, even the most unmanageable patient will rely on the professional and the dentist, and there will be no problems in taking care of his teeth. If your child also reacts inadequately to the presence of the dentist, book an appointment at MC20: we will be able to win him over with our kind ways!