Family Guide: Helping Adult Autistic Loved Ones with Dental Care

Brushing teeth and going to the dentist can be sensory-intensive, causing anxiety in many autistic persons. Because of the unusual sounds, smells, tastes, textures, and looks, many people living with autism tend to avoid visiting dentists and practicing proper tooth hygiene.

Due to this, many autistic persons are at risk of developing dental conditions, which is wrong. If you have an autistic adult living with you, it’s your responsibility to help them get over the anxiety so that they can take good care of their teeth as they are supposed to.

To help you out, here are tips that will help your loved one keep excellent oral health and lower the chance of dental problems:

Teeth brushing

Brushing teeth is necessary because it removes plaque, keeps teeth and gums healthy, and protects against gum disease and decay. Your loved one must clean all surfaces of their teeth, which may be challenging, especially when they are struggling with autism.

Encourage your loved one to use a tiny, manual toothbrush with soft bristles (such as a little child’s brush) to make it easy for them to clean their teeth and reduce inflammation.

Our dentist recommended using a toothbrush with three-sided bristles that wrap around the teeth. This toothbrush simplifies brushing because it brushes more surfaces at once, meaning your loved one isn’t exposed to the sensitivities for a long time.

An autistic person may find an electric toothbrush highly disturbing due to the noise, vibration, and brushing speed. So, you should avoid buying one for them.

The priority should be to clean all surfaces of the teeth and use fluoride toothpaste.

Many autistic persons dislike the taste and texture of toothpaste. Thankfully, there are certain brands available that are flavorless or have low foam. If your loved one is genuinely struggling or avoiding brushing their teeth altogether, encourage them to try brushing with simple water and apply some fluoride toothpaste around them.

Toothpaste with 1350-1500ppm (parts per million) fluoride is often recommended to help prevent tooth decay. If your loved one is prone to tooth decay, the dentist may recommend a high fluoride concentration or, in some situations, a high fluoride toothpaste.

If the recommended amount of toothpaste is used, it is acceptable to mistakenly swallow the residue after brushing. However, some autistic people may purposely swallow toothpaste because they enjoy the taste or experience pica. Long-term health issues may result, so discourage your loved ones from swallowing the toothpaste when brushing their teeth.

You should encourage your loved one to brush their teeth for two minutes before bed and once more during the day. After brushing, they should spit out any extra toothpaste but not rinse out, as this removes the fluoride. For best results, encourage them to also use mouthwash in addition to brushing.

Preventing dental decay

Dental decay can be a problem for autistic people because of the related eating and drinking challenges, which typically result in eating a narrower variety of meals or a strong preference for items with the same color or packaging.

Bacteria in the mouth break down sugars to generate acid, which takes minerals (mainly calcium) from the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel and dentine).

A diet high in sugary foods and beverages will harm teeth and promote decay. Dental decay has a negative impact on one’s overall health and frequently causes pain and infection, which can lead to tooth extraction.

To ensure that your loved one doesn’t go that route, limit sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes, avoid sugary drinks and snacks before bedtime, and become familiar with food and drink labels to help discover hidden sugars that can cause harm.

Protecting your loved ones from teeth-grinding

Teeth grinding is a common autistic habit that is frequently associated with stress. It can lead to tooth deterioration, jaw pain, and other dental disorders. A dentist may be able to assist your loved one in fitting a mouth guard and/or recommending jaw muscle stretching or massaging to help relax the joints.

Self-harming activities in the mouth, such as chewing the inside of cheeks or biting lips, can lead to ulcers, damaged gums or teeth, and lip trauma. If you detect anything that needs to be addressed, schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.

Prepare your loved one for dentist visits.

To alleviate anxiety in your autistic loved one, the primary goal is to establish a non-threatening and welcoming setting for care.

First and foremost, communication must be precise and concise because certain aspects of the discourse can be interpreted literally, such as when suggesting ‘this will only take a few seconds’ procedures.

Body language is essential. Remember that many autistic individuals prefer not to make direct eye contact so don’t force them to look at you when communicating.

Preparing autistic patients for their appointments and therapies is critical. Because many autistic patients don’t like the experience, it is essential to allow them adequate time to adjust to the new stimuli (environments, scents, sounds, etc.) they will encounter during their dental visits.

For some patients, simply getting from home to the clinic can be a significant step toward making them feel at ease in the dental clinic and, eventually, supporting their cooperation by providing a dental exam and dental care.

As much as you should support your loved one, it is critical to remember that one rule does not apply to all. You should find out what works best for your loved one and go with that.

You should note that you shouldn’t pressure your loved one for a doctor’s visit. If they tell you they aren’t interested in going there, you should not force them. Instead, you should explain the benefits of doing it, then help them paint a picture of what to expect.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do to help your loved one develop good dental habits that will ensure that they take good care of their teeth by brushing regularly and seeing a dentist at least twice a year.