Autism Dentist Visits: 5 Steps For a Smooth Visit

Autism Dentist Struggles

Children with autism and/or speech delays often struggle at the dentist. but why?

Children with limited language abilities face unique challenges at the dentist. These children often struggle to understand the process and what’s expected of them, leading to increased anxiety and fear. They may not grasp why certain procedures are necessary or when they will end, which can be especially daunting.

Sensory issues can exacerbate these fears, making the sounds, sights, and sensations of the dental office overwhelming. The bright fluorescent lights that are often in dental offices can be a challenge as well. 

Additionally, their inability to communicate discomfort or ask questions can result in heightened frustration and behavioral issues, turning a routine visit into a traumatic experience for both the child and the parents.

The worst thing we can do is hold kids down at the dentist. First, young toddlers turn into bigger kids and starting autism dentist visits with a routine of being held down can cause injury to the child and adult further down the line. Additionally, they are not learning the skills or associating the dentist with positivity when they are being forced to do something scary! 

Unless it is an emergency, holding kids down at the dentist can cause further problems down the line. But, don’t worry, there are things you can do today to make autism dentist visits a positive experience! 

5 Steps to a Positive Dentist Visit

Bringing a child with autism and/or speech delays to the dentist doesn’t have to be a scary or stressful experience. There are 5 steps you can start today to promote positive autism dentist visits. 

Step 1: Assess Past Dental Visits

The first step I recommend is to assess the last dental visit. Reflect on what happened—were there specific moments when your child became distressed? Was the entire visit a disaster, or were there parts that went smoothly? Understanding these details helps identify triggers and successes.

Write down the sequence of events, from the car ride to the dentist’s chair, and note any patterns or specific issues. This assessment will form the foundation for improving future visits.

We will not only use this sequence of events for assessment but also to create a plan for teaching each step using reinforcement

Step 2: Desensitize Tooth Brushing at Home

Next, we need to focus on desensitizing tooth brushing at home. If your child struggles with brushing their teeth, they’re likely to have a hard time at the dentist.

Make tooth brushing a fun, positive experience by using new toothbrushes, flavored toothpaste, or even just brushing with water.

Let your child choose their toothbrush and play songs or videos about brushing teeth. Start with very short sessions and gradually increase the time. The goal is to make tooth brushing a routine, stress-free activity.

Again, we don’t want to hold kids down for toothbrushing. You can learn more about pairing up toothbrushing here .

Step 3: Create a Realistic Plan

Based on your assessment and home tooth brushing routine, create a realistic plan for the next dental visit. 

Set achievable goals, such as simply sitting in the dental chair or allowing the dentist to examine their mouth without tools. Practice these steps at home using dollar store dental tools to mimic the dentist’s office. Note which steps of the dental visit were hard last time and focus on those as well. 

For example, did they dislike the water in their mouth? You may need to have extra practice and reinforcement for this step of the dental routine. 

Remember, it’s okay to take baby steps and gradually build up to more complex procedures.

This approach helps your child feel more in control and less anxious.

Step 4: Desensitize Dental Visits in Familiar Settings
To further desensitize your child, practice dental visits in familiar settings like home or school.

Use the dollar store dental tools to simulate the dental exam in a comfortable environment. Show your child the tools, let them handle them, and practice opening their mouth while sitting in a recliner or lying on a bed.

Make sure to provide lots of positive reinforcement and rewards for each small success. This step helps them become more accustomed to the sensations and procedures of a dental visit.

Step 5: Generalize Practice to the Actual Dental Office
Finally, generalize your practice sessions to the actual dental office.

Start with non-invasive visits, such as just sitting in the waiting room or taking a tour of the office. Going, and then leaving on a positive note before anything happens can be very powerful!

Call ahead and ask if you can take pictures of the dentist, the chair, and other parts of the office to create a photo book for your child.

Gradually build up to short, positive visits where your child can practice sitting in the chair and seeing the tools. Reinforce each step with praise and rewards.

This gradual exposure helps your child feel more comfortable and less fearful about dental visits and make for positive autism dentist visits. 

Autism and Dental Visit Takeaways

By following these five steps, you can transform dental visits from a source of anxiety into a manageable and even positive experience for your child with autism. Remember, preparation and gradual desensitization are key. Assess past visits, make tooth brushing at home enjoyable, create a realistic plan, practice in familiar settings, and then generalize these practices to the actual dental office. With patience and consistency, your child can learn to tolerate and even succeed at dental visits, ensuring better oral health and overall well-being.

Remember, if you end up needing a form of sedation due to more extensive dental work needing to be done beyond basic checkups, that is ok!