Entering the office of a pediatric dentist can be quite the sensory experience. While checking in and briefly waiting, your child will notice the gentle sound of dental instruments in the background, the décor, the scent of an office that is cleaned every few minutes, and more. At Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry, we devote a lot of time to creating a warm, welcoming environment for you little one. For our patients, this intentionally designed environment provides a feeling of comfort, happiness, and creates a potentially less anxious situation.

Heightened sensory issues can be increasingly difficult for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The noises, smells, observations, and sensations might prove overwhelming at times. If you are having a tough time creating and sticking to a healthy oral regime for your child, this blog is for you. Read on to learn more details.

Sensory integration is the neurological process of organizing sensory inputs for function in daily life. Our brain takes sensory input from our eight senses and sends signals to the body in response to that input. These senses include the five most familiar: vision, auditory, tactile, taste and smell. The other three include vestibular (our sense of movement and balance), proprioception (the sense of where our body is in space), and interoception (a sense of what is going on within our bodies, such as heart rate, hunger and thirst). An inability to effectively respond to sensory inputs impacts daily activities. For example, a sensory processing disorder involves more than just discomfort with bright lights or loud sounds; rather, it causes inability to function in daily life.

There are key differences between what is known commonly as sensory seekers and sensory avoiders. The former gravitate toward very specific sensory input. For sensory seekers, tasks such as brushing teeth and flossing can be a pleasant experience. In addition, a trip to the dental office might not be a particularly difficult experience for them, rather, it might be enjoyable. Sensory avoiders, on the other hand, tend to process some external stimuli in a much different way. They may find many types of stimuli to be difficult or painful that a sensory seeker would not. This can make a trip to the dentist a daunting experience for the child.

Caregivers and parents know their kids better than anyone. Working together with the dental staff will result in the best experience possible for your child. Before the appointment, it can be extremely helpful to prepare your child. A visit to the dental office prior to the appointment can prove highly productive. Without such a visit, it is possible that your child could be overwhelmed by the environment. It is much easier to prevent sensory avoidance than to attempt to correct it once it has occurred. Ergo, we are happy to set up a tour in advance of the appointment so that your child has the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the environment.

During this visit, take as much time as necessary to communicate your child’s specific needs to the dental staff. Your child’s dental history, preferences (such as flavor of toothpaste), and sensitivities, are important information that can help us provide optimal care. We want your little one to have the best experience possible, thus, the more information the better. If you believe a longer time frame for your appointment or having a private room to make your child more comfortable could be helpful, this is a good time to convey those thoughts. 

In addition to a visit to the office prior to your appointment, it could be helpful to read your child a story that details a trip to the dentist. This should ideally be done a week or two weeks prior to the visit. If you have the ability to share a story with pictures, that is even better. Stories that outline the steps of a dental appointment afford your child the opportunity to ask questions and have a better idea of what the experience will be like.

Decreasing sensitivity during the treatment itself is something that will make the experience much easier for your child. In an article written by dentalcare.com, many suggestions for decreasing sensitivity during the dental visit are put forward. Having the child “wear the x-ray vest [or weighted blanket] during the entire appointment to provide extra weight and deep pressure” is one such suggestion. Others include having your child eat something very chewy prior to the appointment or bringing a “fidget toy” for the session. Your child could also wear a snug fitting hat and or something that blocks any bright light that may cause sensitivity (such as sunglasses). The parent may wish to use a firm touch when touching his or her child and verbally walk the child through what is happening in each step of the process before it happens.

Sensory seekers may have a soothing reaction to brushing of teeth in the home. The use of an electric toothbrush can be advantageous to assure that your child properly brushes all teeth. Singing a song or engaging in a similarly calming activity lasting at least 2 minutes can help.

Sensory avoiders might have a more difficult time with teeth brushing in the home. The flavor of toothpaste might cause a distraction. If this is the case, try using different flavored toothpastes, toothpastes with no flavor, or water.

At Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry, we welcome children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or any sensory issues. Dr. Stewart and the staff work tirelessly to fashion an environment that is a pleasant and comfortable space for each child. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a visit or consultation, give us a call today!