Month: April 2021

A special needs child is someone who requires special attention and other related assistance that other children do not. In clinical diagnostic and functional development, children with special needs may have medical, mental, or psychological conditions. Special needs can range from autism, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, deafness, and so forth. Cleft lips and missing limbs are also included within the category of special needs. A student is engulfed within the umbrella of ‘special needs’ if their IG is between 20 and 35. The types of special needs differ in terms of severity, and provisions are made to support them in every domain of life. ‘Special Needs’ is also a legal designation in some countries and can be of significance during adoption and foster care procedures.

Obstacles In Dental Care For Children With Special Needs

Dental care for children with special needs is often challenging as their oral hygiene takes a back seat owing to other pressing health concerns. The mouth is very much a part of the human body and taking good care of it is vital. To understand the nuances of dental care for these special children, it is imperative that we first grasp the obstacles.

1. It is common to witness children with Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders get delayed tooth eruption. The consequence is that their teeth are poorly aligned and crowded. Hence, extra care is needed while brushing.
2. Misaligned tooth results in several gum problems as a lot of pressure are put on the gums while chewing. The gums, therefore, are weakened, and gum bleeding is a common condition among special needs children. If ignored, gum issues cause bone damage and loosening of teeth. The habit of flossing can be hard to teach among special needs children but is very helpful in maintaining a good dental regimen.
3. Numerous children with special needs have dry mouth because of incomplete mouth closure. A dry mouth fosters bacteria to stick to teeth and attack them, causing cavities. As such, proper rinsing after a meal is essential to avoid tooth decay.

Dental Care For Children With Special Needs

Studies reveal that children with special needs are more likely to suffer from dental problems than children with any disabilities. But, some extra effort can go a long way to help these children achieve immaculate oral hygiene.

The dental visits of the child mustn’t be skipped or ignored. Moreover, sticking to one particular dentist or professional is crucial as it provides the child with familiarity and helps in reducing anxiety. Establishing a good dental routine is vital. Although making the schedule may be demanding, but once established, the child can adapt to it quickly. Flexibility is the key for children with special needs, so allow your child to brush wherever they want and do not adhere to the bathroom only. Lastly, making your child comfortable with oral and dental care is of paramount significance.

In case of discomfort in teeth or gums, please visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

We must understand the nexus between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and dental conditions for a holistic outline of dental care for differently-able children and people. So, let us first attempt to grasp the meaning, signs and symptoms of ASD.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder, also known as ASD, is a developmental anomaly that influences a person’s communication skills and behavioural patterns. The disorder is known as developmental because its symptoms creep up during the first two years of a child’s life. As per the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’, people with ASD find communication and interaction with other people very challenging. They may be restrictive in their interests and showcase repetitive behaviours.

Signs And Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Some of the social communication and behavioural signs of ASD include:

1. Apprehension in making eye contact
2. Social awkwardness and an inclination to not listening to people
3. Slow response at being called or other verbal attempts of grabbing their attention
4. Unaware of what the other person might be feeling during a conversation
5. At times, a person with ASD may cohabit with facial expressions and gestures that do not align with what he or she is saying.
6. A flat or a sing-song like vocal tone

Some of the restrictive behaviours of people with ASD include:

1. Repetitive or unusual behaviours. For example, the person may repeat words or phrases.
2. An intense passion for specific topics 
3. A person with ASD may get upset by slight changes in a routine.
4. Possessing solid visual and auditory skills
5. They usually excel in mathematics, science, or arts.

Scientists and medical experts are unclear about the exact causes of ASD. Still, research suggests that genetic makeup and environmental factors can affect development in ways that may lead to ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder And Dental Care – The Obstacles
There is a consensus among dental experts that treating individuals on the Autism Spectrum can be complex yet adventurous. People with ASD have a higher probability of being affected by periodontal diseases and caries. The biggest problem is that many dental professionals lack the training and expertise required to deal with these patients and fail at making them feel safe. 

Things To Do
Studies reveal that the best way to take care of patients on the Autism Spectrum is to create a safe space with plenty of hands-on activities and visual stimulation approaches that are not overwhelming. Moreover, the patient must engage with the same dentist or expert as familiarity can help to lower the anxiety levels of the patient. There has been pressing demands for special training in dental schools that educate future dentists on the requirements of specially-abled patients. Lastly, universally prescribed guidelines of care and trained staff are vital in decreasing the high levels of periodontitis and caries in patients diagnosed with ASD.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Even minute defects such as a chip or crack in the teeth can affect a person’s smile and thus confidence. Along with making a person conscious about how they look, such small defects can also pose certain functional problems such as bad bite. Such problems can be solved using tooth bonding techniques where a resin material resembling the tooth is applied. Variations in the resin material such as porcelain or composite are available and can be chosen based on the patient’s requirements. Composite resin is fixed to the outer surface of the tooth to help fix a variety of dental problems.

If you are troubled with any cosmetic problems related to teeth and are seeking a way to improve your smile’s appearance, here are the reasons why you should consider composite resins.

Composite Resins are inexpensive
The most significant advantage of composite resin over porcelain is that it is quite inexpensive. This is an affordable treatment option, and the amount spent would vary based on the number of teeth that have to be treated.

Quick treatment
Another reason why several people prefer cosmetic resin bonding is that the whole procedure is quite quick and painless. The installation can last from thirty minutes to an hour.

Blends well
Unlike silver amalgam fillings, the composite resin is prepared to match the colour of the patient’s teeth. This means that it blends well and does not appear out of place.

Other advantages
Some other benefits of composite resins that make it more popular than other restorations are:

• It is safe and less invasive than other types of restorations, such as veneers.
• It can reduce teeth sensitivity.
•  It is reversible, i.e. it can be removed as per requirement.
• It can be repaired if destroyed.
• It can help people get rid of stained teeth.

Caring for composite resins
With proper care and maintenance, cosmetic resins can last up to ten years. For this, you need to take care of your oral health and hygiene. Habits such as biting on hard objects, eating sticky food and grinding teeth during sleep can cause wear and tear of the resin since it is not as hard as original teeth. Therefore, you have to be careful about your eating habits and oral hygiene if you want the cosmetic resins to last for a long time.

Although the procedure is not much beneficial for treating major cosmetic problems, minor issues related to the appearance of the teeth can be solved effectively using composite resins. You should seek the consultation of your dentist to find out other advantages of composite resins and how to properly care for them. It is also advisable to visit the dentist regularly to monitor the condition of the teeth and find out ways to improve your oral hygiene regimen. If your restoration has been damaged as a result of grinding and clenching, you can seek the help of a cosmetic dentist to repair it back to normal.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.