Sensory Processing Disorder Dental Care For Kids 

Jeanette Loftus 

Are your children struggling to brush their teeth? In this article I am going to list off some ideas and tips to assist you to get your child to brush their teeth. Does your child have meltdowns, and do they refuse to brush their teeth? Then this article is for you.

Brushing teeth can be difficult for children with SPD because it make us feel unpleasant sensations. Your child may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive.

I am asked so often about children who have Sensory Processing Disorder and how to get them to brush their teeth. There are many different things you could try to get your child to brush their teeth.

Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder may struggle with brushing their teeth due to anxiety, sensory challenges or several other reasons.

Bring up your concerns with your child's Occupational Therapist as they will also be able to give your strategies to help your child too.

Children under the age of three should use a grain size amount of toothpaste and a child over three should use a pea sized amount of toothpaste. Children should brush their teeth two times a day and floss once a day. Your child may not have the fine motor skills to floss their own teeth so parents can assist with this until the age of seven. Children should have their first dentist appointment by their first birthday.

Dental hygiene can be difficult for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder. Here are some helpful tips and ideas you could try because developing great hygiene habits are so important.

Signs that a child is hyper-sensitive (oral sensory avoiding) typically include dislike of brushing teeth, having their faces wiped, and are usually very picky eaters especially with specific textures. They are usually very particular about being neat and not enjoying messy play or eating. They also may prefer a very specific type of cup/nipple for a bottle and not able to use other brands. They may also be unwilling to use utensils.

Signs that a child is hypo-sensitive (oral sensory seeking) may include eating/licking everything. They may often have the tendency to have something in their mouths including non food items. They usually tend to overstuff their mouths with food and are very messy eaters. They may like very crunchy foods and foods with a strong flavor such as spicy foods, very sweet/sour foods such as lemons, and very salty foods. They may be nail biters or chew on clothing. Chewing and sucking on items such as pens, pencils, hair and fingers are common.

Sensory strategies to assist your child brushing their teeth

1. Consistency is important. Keeping a routine will help ease the anxiety for your child. They will know to expect brushing their teeth every day at the same time. Visual schedules can also be a great tool to assist your child with a visual, so they know what to expect each day.

2. Choosing the wrong toothpaste can be the reason your child is struggling with brushing their teeth. Some children want unflavored toothpaste while others want different flavors or fluoride free toothpaste. Toothpaste textures can also be a reason that your child doesn't want to brush their teeth. It can take trying several different toothpastes before you find the right one.

3. Finding the right toothbrush can change everything. Your child may want a super soft toothbrush or they may prefer using a vibrating toothbrush. I have seen other parents also use oral swabs to start brushing their child's teeth too. All children are different, with different needs and sometimes you need to try several different brushes before you find the right one.

4. Be calm, patient and positive. This will help your child be more successful with their dental hygiene. Praise your child as much as possible. They will require a lot of encouragement.

5. Start with baby steps. Let them hold their own toothbrush. Try letting them feel the toothbrush on their lips and the next next day feeling the toothbrush on their tongue.

6. Model brushing your own teeth for your child. Invite them into the bathroom when you're brushing your teeth and explaining each step along the way.

7. Your child may need a calming space to brush their teeth or a room with less sensory stimuli. Choose a sensory friendly place to brush teeth and floss. Choose a quiet area with less light. This would be a place they are content and comfortable. A bathroom can sometimes be too overstimulating for a child to begin brushing their teeth.

8. Try different water temperatures. Some children prefer warm water and other children prefer cold water. If the water is too cold or too hot, this could make your child refuse to brush their teeth.

9. Rewards and charts can help with accomplishing goals for your child. Start with smaller goals. Collect stickers on a chart. Your child will be proud of themselves while seeing they are accomplishing goals for brushing their teeth and flossing.

10. Try letting your child brush their teeth in the mirror and watch themselves brush their teeth. Some children prefer to sit while others decide they like to stand more. Often some children prefer to brush their teeth while in the bathtub too.

11. If your child cannot tolerate a toothbrush maybe you could try using a finger brush or a Nuk brush.

12. Build up a tolerance to brushing their teeth over time by trying each small step.

13. Finding the right floss can also be as challenging as finding the right toothbrush or the right toothpaste that your child is willing to use. Some children will prefer waxed floss and others prefer unwaxed. There are also different flavors for children too and unflavored if they don't like flavors. There are also kids flosser picks which some children prefer as they are easier for them to floss their own teeth and they enjoy the colors. You may try several different types of floss before you find the one that works for your child.

14. Timers are great for children who are learning to brush their teeth. Increase the time they brush their teeth by starting with a little amount of time to begin. They can then see a visual for how long they are expected to brush their teeth. Some parents will play a song or sing a song and when the song is over they can stop brushing their teeth. Starting a countdown can also be what your child prefers while brushing their teeth. Sand timer, timer apps or light up sensory timers are all very helpful.

15. Try not to use threats for your child to brush their teeth. Making threats about cavities, fillings or trips to the dentist can be very scary for a child and may scare them or cause further anxiety when brushing their teeth.

16. Using oral motor tools and oral motor activities can also help your child. When your child receives a Sensory Processing Disorder diagnosis your child can meet with an Occupational Therapist to discuss your child's sensory diet plan and which oral motor tools and activities would be best for your child and what is age appropriate. Please always consult with a professional.

17. Remember when we were kids, we had those plaque tablets? They can be so helpful showing your child where they missed the plaque while brushing their teeth. There are also mouthwashes for kids to show them where they have missed places while brushing their teeth.

18. Trying a weighted vest, heavy work activities, Wilbarger brushing or vibration for your child's sensory diet before trying to brush their teeth can also be helpful for your child. Their sensory needs should be met and your child should be regulated before attempting to start learning the steps for brushing their teeth.

19. When making your child's first dentist appointment, try finding a pediatric dentist that is knowledgeable with children who have Sensory Processing Disorder or Autism. You can take your child to the dentist office days before to prepare them for the appointment because knowing what to expect will ease their anxieties.

20. Reading books and social stories about going to the dentist will also be helpful for your child when preparing them for their first dental appointment.