How to Prepare Your Child on the Autism Spectrum for The Dentist

If your child is on the spectrum, sometimes what neurotypical patients consider routine may cause a great deal of uncertainty or anxiety for them. This can include everything from visiting the dentist for their regular exams and cleanings to more complex procedures like getting fillings or fluoride treatments. The good news is that with a little preparation, even children with autism spectrum disorder can feel comfortable in the dental chair. Here’s how you can help to make your child’s upcoming dental visit a success!

Setting the Stage for Success

Whether they’re neurodivergent or neurotypical, a successful trip to the dentist for any child begins at home. Making sure your kiddo brushes their teeth twice a day and flosses daily is the best way to reduce their risk of cavities and gum disease and protect their smile for a lifetime. Not only will it keep their mouths healthier, but it will also make them comfortable with having their teeth cleaned, so that when it’s time to visit the dentist, they are already prepared. Furthermore, because they’ll have less buildup on their teeth, their cleaning will be faster and more comfortable, too!

Preparing for the Appointment

Another great way to make your child comfortable about their upcoming dental visit is to discuss what will happen at the appointment. There are many children’s books available that discuss exactly what they can expect, from the moment you check in at the front desk to the final farewell at the end. Many kids on the spectrum find comfort in routines, so explaining the steps that your pediatric dentist will take may make it easier for your child to mentally and emotionally prepare for their visit. Here are a few steps you can discuss with them to give them a better idea of what will happen:

• We’re going to the dentist to make sure your teeth and gums are clean and healthy. We will drive to the dental office. When we arrive, we will go inside and check in at the front desk.
• Next, we will relax in the waiting room until they call our name. Then we will follow the dental assistant to the exam room and sit down in a big comfortable chair. This chair can move up and down and even lean back so the dentist can see into your mouth. When you sit in the chair, you should keep your hands folded on your lap or by your sides and keep your legs and feet straight in front of you.
• Your dental team will ask you to open your mouth nice and wide so they can look inside. They will shine a bright light inside to help them see better. You may be given special sunglasses to borrow so this light doesn’t bother your eyes, or you can also keep them closed if you want to.
• Next, the dentist will count your teeth using a special mirror. This won’t hurt, but it might tickle.
• Now, your dentist or dental assistant will take some pictures of your teeth called X-rays.  You may need to move to a different chair or room to have them taken. When you are done, you can return to the other chair.
• Next, your teeth will be cleaned with special tools. The dental team will show you each tool before they use it and can even tell you exactly what it does. This won’t hurt, but if you feel uncomfortable at all during the cleaning, you can tell the dental assistant that you need a break.
• Once your teeth have been cleaned, they will rinse your mouth with water from a special hose that fits in your mouth and suction it out with a tiny tube. This will not hurt, but you may find the suction feels a little funny.
• Finally, the dentist will come back into the room and take another look at your clean teeth. He may recommend you get a special fluoride treatment, or you may need to come back for a filling if there is a cavity on your tooth. If not, you will be free to go home and show off your sparkly, white teeth!

If your child has high anxiety, you can also speak to your dentist prior to their appointment about arranging for sedation. Often, kids on the spectrum can benefit from nitrous oxide, which is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas that is breathed in through a comfortable tube that sits over the nose. Nitrous oxide creates a feeling of relaxation and helps keep patients calm enough to sit through routine or more complex treatment. Best of all, it has no lingering side effects, so your child can resume their regular activities following their visit.

Remember, while it is not uncommon for children on the spectrum to become anxious about dental appointments, you can help them feel safe and calm by protecting their smile at home, and by providing as much detail as possible about what they can expect at their upcoming visit. If you need further information about sedation and how it could make their treatment more comfortable, please contact your dental team in advance to make arrangements.

About Dr. Pearson

Dr. Allen Pearson is a board-certified pediatric dentist who earned his dental degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry, and his Pediatric Dental Specialty Certificate at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Eastman Dental College. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Texas Dental Association, just to name a few. If you have a child with special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, Wylie Children’s Dentistry is proud to help make accommodations to keep their smile looking and feeling its best. To learn more about special needs dentistry or to make an appointment, visit our website or call us today at 972-429-7070.