Children with special needs require extra attention from parents
in their everyday lives. The situation can be quite challenging
for both the parents and healthcare experts who are tending to
them. When it comes to the oral health of such children, it is
found that they face approximately twice the number of unmet
dental issues in comparison to that of children without special
needs. Hence, getting the child treated by our professional
Pediatric Dentist in Pasadena, CA would become
highly essential in this regard.
Who are children with special needs?
According to the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children with
developmental issues related to physical, mental or behavioral
aspects are referred to as children with special needs. They
usually require extensive dental treatment as they experience a
limitation in their physical activity. Moreover, their overall
health could affect the growth and alignment of the teeth. Only
experienced and well-trained dentists, such as Dr. Sonia Lim,
would be able to treat such special-need children in the most
effective way possible.
Common oral issues
Children with genetic disorders such as Down’s syndrome or
Turner’s syndrome could face certain oral issues that other
children don’t. Sometimes, the eruption of teeth could be
delayed by a few months. In extreme cases, the delay can even be
up to a couple of years. In some children, the teeth may be
misshapen or there could be a few extra unwanted teeth.
Malocclusion is a common issue among children with special
needs. Also, they would be more susceptible to oral infections
and gum diseases.
Oral care at home
Ensuring the child doesn’t develop any oral infection is very
important. Keep an eye on the food habits of the child,
especially the sugary food intake. This can be a driving cause
for the formation of cavities as the microbes feed off the
sugary content left in the mouth. Further, parents should stay
by their side and guide them while brushing their teeth. Since
children with special needs require a little extra physical
help, it would be great if patients brush their children’s teeth
for them. Make sure you get rid of the food debris and microbes
from all the remote corners of the mouth. Choose a soft bristle
toothbrush for them as their gums would be too soft and could
easily sustain damage.
Professional dental care
When you bring your child for a dental consultation, we would
understand the condition of the child and respond accordingly.
The child needs loving hands to tend to them, which makes the
procedure easier and more effective. We would look into various
factors such as the growth of the teeth, jawbone health,
presence of cavities, gum health, alignment of the teeth, etc.
Based on the observations made, we would suggest the right
treatment methods to tend to them.
