{"id":1333,"date":"2022-10-05T02:53:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T02:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=1333"},"modified":"2022-12-05T02:54:12","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T02:54:12","slug":"special-needs-dentistry-helps-children-on-the-spectrum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/05\/special-needs-dentistry-helps-children-on-the-spectrum\/","title":{"rendered":"Help Your Child with Autism at the Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1334 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Young boy in dental chair\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/boy-at-dentist-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>If your child is on the spectrum, even a routine dental cleaning and checkup can be overwhelming. The sights, smells, noises, and unfamiliar faces can cause severe overstimulation; however, your child can\u2019t skip seeing a dentist. Their oral health, development, and general wellness rely on a healthy smile, but it doesn\u2019t have to be a traumatic experience with special needs dentistry. Here are 6 ways to keep your child with autism comfortable at the dentist.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Find a pediatric dentist with special needs training.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all dentists have undergone advanced education to provide pediatric services or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/special-needs-dentistry.html\">special needs care<\/a>, which can make a big difference in your little one\u2019s experience in the dental chair. It\u2019s best to look for pediatric dentists in your area that have qualifications and experience caring for children with unique needs. Choose a board-certified pediatric dentist that understands the challenges your child may have when it\u2019s time for a cleaning and checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Prepare your child for their upcoming appointment.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking into a new setting with strangers can be uncomfortable for anyone, especially children on the spectrum. You can prepare your child for what\u2019s coming by taking pictures of the dentist\u2019s office and explaining what they can expect. Many dental practices will allow your child to take a tour of the office and meet the staff, so it\u2019s not as scary when it\u2019s time for their appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Reduce sights and sounds.&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The bright lights and various noises of the dental office can cause sensory overload. Wearing sunglasses will reduce lighting while earplugs or noise canceling headphones can decrease sounds. If your child has a sensitivity to smells, apply chapstick with their favorite scent to help coverup any odors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Bring objects from home.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, sensory toy, or other object from home that gives them comfort, bring it along with you to their appointment. Many dental offices have tablets and TVs to keep children occupied. If your pediatric dentist doesn\u2019t have them, consider bringing a cell phone or tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Educate your child with books or shows.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Read books or watch shows about going to the dentist, like The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss. It will allow your child to ask questions and learn more about what they can expect during their preventive appointment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Ask about the benefits of dental sedation.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/pediatric-sedation.html\">Dental sedation<\/a> can help your child relax for a stress-free appointment. Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative with no lingering side effects that can keep your child comfortable and relaxed, so their dentist can clean and check their teeth quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dentist doesn\u2019t have to be a scary place. With the right dental team, your child can get the compassionate, high-quality care their smile needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Dr. Allen Pearson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/meet-your-pediatric-dentist.html\">Dr. Pearson<\/a> has nearly 2 decades of experience as a board-certified pediatric dentist with a focus on special needs dentistry. He earned his dental degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency before achieving a Pediatric Dental Specialty Certificate. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyliechildrensdentistry.com\/contact.html\">Contact our office<\/a> today to request an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If your child is on the spectrum, even a routine dental cleaning and checkup can be overwhelming. The sights, smells, noises, and unfamiliar faces can cause severe overstimulation; however, your child can\u2019t skip seeing a dentist. Their oral health, development, and general wellness rely on a healthy smile, but it doesn\u2019t have to be a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Special Needs Dentistry Helps Children on the Spectrum<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Special needs dentistry can help your child with autism get the care they need. 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