Unfortunately, cavities don’t only affect adults. Our little ones can suffer from cavities as well. Trying to prevent and handle child cavities as a parent can be difficult.
When a child with autism has cavities, they’ll be more sensitive to the treatment and prevention of more cavities. There are a few ways to help your child understand what cavities are and help them understand why oral hygiene is so important. Knowing these tips can be beneficial to both you and your child.
How to Handle Child Cavities as a Parent
Continue reading the guide below to discover how you can handle cavities with your child!
Start Brushing Early
Children with autism might be more sensitive to dental floss and the bristles on the toothbrush. Because of this, it’s a great idea to start brushing early on. You can begin brushing your child’s teeth before they even grow in!
Taking a small washcloth and gently wiping your infant’s gums after feeding is the same as brushing your teeth. Once they begin to get their teeth in, you can use an infant toothbrush to brush the few baby teeth they have. This will get them used to the feeling of having their teeth brushed.
Read Them Books About Cavities
There are many children’s books about brushing teeth and preventing cavities. Be sure to pick some up from the store and read them to your child each day. Children’s books sometimes feature favorite characters that your child loves and can connect with.
When they see their favorite character brushing their teeth each morning and night, they’ll want to give it a try as well. These books can also be educational regarding cavities, what they are, and how to prevent them.
Schedule a Dentist Appointment
Did you know that you should schedule your child’s first dentist appointment as soon as they get their first tooth in? That’s right! Make sure to contact a pediatric dentist and speak with them about bringing in your child for their first appointment.
Visiting the dentist for the first time can be overwhelming for some children and a bit scary. Some dentist visit tips for a child with autism are as follows:
- find a dentist who has experience with autistic children
- start taking your child to the dentist at a young age
The sooner your child meets their dentist, the more comfortable they’ll feel throughout the years.
Consider Fillings and Treatments
When a child begins to show signs of a cavity and has symptoms of one, you take them to their dentist and speak about a treatment plan. Fillings are one option you have and can even be placed on baby teeth to stop tooth decay from worsening. If the cavity formed on an adult tooth, you can consider having white composite fillings used to prevent a silver cap from showing in their smile.
You can learn all about dental fillings from online research or speaking with your pediatric dentist before making a decision. To prevent more cavities from forming, your child can have sealants placed on their teeth, and they can receive fluoride treatments as well.
Help Prevent Child Cavities With Your Little One
Cavities are painful, no matter what your age is. No parent wants to watch their little one suffer from child cavities. Be sure to use the helpful information listed above to bring cavity awareness to both you and your child.
