Sunday, August 2, 2009

Do autistic children usually have bad teeth too?

Is it common for Autistic children to have teeth problems?

Do autistic children usually have bad teeth too?
A very good family friend has an autistic boy... the extent of his dental problems are mainly centered on finding (and being able to pay for) a dentist that specializes or is capable of treating autistic children.





Then you have to deal with the insurance companies duking it out over whether it is a medical or dental procedure. The dental insurance will say its medical and the medical insurance will say it is dental.





My thoughts and prayers are with you on all you have to do.
Reply:NO
Reply:I haven't noticed that.
Reply:No, the only problems are the inability to work in groups, etc., but a autistic child could have something against dental hygene, and just refuse to care for their teeth.
Reply:There is nothing about autism which would say that autistic children necessarily have bad teeth. Now many autistic children do lack certain skills such as social, hygienic, along with many others. So based on this, I would say there may be a greater chance for autistic children to have bad teeth, but that much greater.
Reply:Autistic children can look like any other child out there. They tend to have mental problems, but can excel in a specific areas like art. Of course, genetics and bad brushing habbits can lead to bad teeth... but they aren't prone to it.
Reply:I don't thing an autistic child would automatically have bad teeth. Autistic children tend to shy away from contact with other people. Because of their withdrawal from others, it may be difficult for them to learn hygeinic practices, and they may be unwilling to let others do this for them. This could lead to bad teeth, unclean body, etc.
Reply:I used to teach autistic children. The only reason they would have bad teeth is if they have not accepted brushing. It is possible they may be resistant to brushing/have their teeth brushed, but if they were taught the right way from a young age, that should not be a problem.
Reply:Because of an autistic child's sensory integration deficits, they often resist brushing teeth and dental procedures. Yes, autistics (and other children with sensory sensitivity) often have dental problems.





Your child's Occupational Therapist should have training in, and be able to provide, Sensory Integration therapy.





http://www.comeunity.com/disability/sens...





http://www.sensoryint.com/
Reply:My brother is 13 and is autistic. He has sensory deficits. He hates the feeling of the toothpaste from the dentist and his own at home. He also does not like the feeling of the bristles on the brush. He also has crooked teeth \, but that tends to run in the family. Also, he cannot stand the feeling of braces against his gums. So, from his experiences that I have seen, most autistic children do have teeth problems, but more along the line of not wanting to brush them and then not being able to withstand dental procedures.



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1 comment:

  1. Of course not. It's just that it'll be harder to maintain a special kid's set of pearly whites, so you have to be diligent about cleaning his teeth and taking him to the dentist. Most kids are prone to teeth problems, and special kids aren't quite exempted.

    Jesse Hake

    ReplyDelete

 
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