Dental Care for Children with Autism in Sumter, SC
Anyone can experience some anxiety when going to the dentist for the first time, but if you have a child with autism, that feeling can be overwhelming. For children with autism, dental visits should be at the top of your priority list to keep their dental health in check. If your child has autism, their fear of the dentist might result in them finding it hard to stay still. This will make it more difficult for the dentist to carry out the examination.
Fortunately, you can find dentists who specialize in the care of special needs individuals. At our practice, our dentists are well-trained in accommodating people who have special needs that can make receiving dental care more difficult. Proper oral care can be a problem for many children with autism, and a child with autism will almost always suffer from some sort of anxiety regarding their dental visit.
When it comes to oral hygiene, you may find that your child is uncooperative at home and at the dentist, which only makes it more important for proper oral hygiene habits to be in place. Children with autism may also be prone to severe, early onset periodontal gum disease along with gingival overgrowth, early/late tooth decay, and they may also be in the habit of grinding their teeth, which will harm their dental health. Some children will have difficulty communicating the pain or discomfort they are experiencing if their autism is severe.
In some cases, anesthesia may be needed to help your child relax and allow the dentist to complete a full examination. Call our office today to discuss the special accommodations we can make for dental care for children with autism in Sumter.