It might be challenging to manage the dental health of children with special needs. This is primarily due to the unique dental care challenges associated with them. Due to their increased risk of oral health issues, children with special needs should see a pediatric dentist on a frequent basis. A pediatric dentist with special needs can treat kids with disabilities while taking into account their particular circumstances.
What do children with special needs mean?
Children who struggle to learn or complete tasks because of physical restrictions, developmental disabilities, or behavioral disorders like Down syndrome, autism, or cerebral palsy are considered special needs. They need specialized health care and health services that are needed because they are more likely to have long-term physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional disorders.
Although taking care of their dental health presents additional difficulties for kids with special needs, most of them can keep healthy teeth and gums with the help of their parents, dentist, and other caregivers. Some of the main oral health issues that children with special needs confront are covered below.
Common Dental Problems in Children with Special Needs
Tooth decay
Tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss are the most prevalent oral health issues that children with developmental disabilities experience. Poor dental hygiene is to blame for this. Gingival hyperplasia, or excessive gum growth, is a side effect that can occur in children who take medicine to treat seizures.
Bruxism
Children with cerebral palsy and significant intellectual difficulties frequently grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. If this behavior persists for a long time, it may lead to tooth abrasion and ultimately tooth loss.
Tooth Deformities
During developmental phases, children with special needs are more likely to experience tooth abnormalities or anomalies that result in differences in the number, size, shape, or arch form of their teeth.
Enamel Hypoplasia
This disorder, which is more prevalent in kids with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and hearing impairments, manifests as thin or absent enamel on the tooth's surface. Pits, chipped enamel, and white spots or yellow to brown stains are its defining characteristics. Tooth decay is more likely to occur in children with enamel hypoplasia.
Misalignment
Children with developmental difficulties may have crooked or crowded teeth, also referred to as malocclusion. This illness may make it more difficult to maintain dental hygiene, which raises the risk of periodontal disease and dental cavities.
Delayed Tooth Eruption
Tooth eruption in children with growth disorders may be irregular or delayed. It might not be until they are two years old that their first baby tooth erupts.
Barriers to dental care of children with special needs
Parents and dentists sometimes overlook dental care for children with special needs. Some of the obstacles to these kids receiving dental care are listed below:
- Oral health becomes less important when there is a greater need for immediate medical attention.
- Finding specialized dentists with the necessary training to treat these kids might be challenging.
- Parents' lack of awareness of the significance of oral health of kids
- Children with impairments acting uncooperatively
- Expensive dental care
- Insufficient resources to provide children with special needs with dental care
Choosing a dentist for children with special needs
When it comes to choosing a dentist for a child with special needs, it is recommended to understand the importance of specialized pediatric dentists before arriving at a decision. Below are a few things to consider while looking for such a dentist.
Specialization: It's critical to look for pediatric dentists who have received extra instruction in managing the unique requirements of young patients. All youngsters, especially those with special needs, find this to be the ideal option.
Expertise in handling special needs: If the dentist has worked with children who have unique needs, such as autism, ADHD, or Down syndrome, it would be a good addition to their credentials. It can be reassuring to know that they have experience because you can trust them to treat your child.
Compassion: When choosing a dentist for a specially abled child, discuss with them their personal traits, including their ability to be patient, compassionate, and amiable with kids. Having these attributes is crucial to making your child feel at ease.
The Conclusion
Looking for specialized dental care for specially abled children? At Federal Way Pediatric Dentistry, we understand the challenges associated with treating children with special needs. Also, we understand the importance of specialized pediatric dentists and have a team of dental care experts who have years of expertise in providing best-in-class dental care to specially abled children. Contact us today to book an appointment.
Disclaimer- The information provided in this content is just for educational purposes and is written by a professional writer. Consult the expert dentists for all your dental needs.
