I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
If you have a child with ADHD then dental care can be a bit of a challenge. Your child may have some habits that can take a toll on the health of their teeth and they may also be on medications that also put their teeth at risk. Learn about the added risks your child will have regarding their teeth and ways you can go about minimizing those risks.
What to do about your child's medications
Your child's medicine can cause them to have a dry mouth. Saliva production is very important to fighting off cavities. It helps to remove food particles and rinses them away. It also helps to maintain a mouth's soft tissues. If your child's medicine gives them a dry mouth, you should have them drink extra water throughout the day. If they are old enough, they can chew sugarless gum to increase their saliva production. Also, taking a bite out of citrus fruit throughout the day can help keep their mouth moist.
Certain ADHD medications can also cause a child to grind their teeth in their sleep. If you notice your child is doing this, then you can take them to the dentist and get them fitted for a mouth guard they can wear at night to stop this.
What to do about certain behaviors
Kids with ADHD generally like to eat and drink things that have caffeine in them, such as chocolate, soda and energy drinks. These things have ingredients that are bad for their teeth, such as a lot of acids and sugar. You want to monitor their intake of these foods by not keeping them in the house and only giving them to your child once in a while. Also, give your child rewards when they choose a healthy snack option or drink water or milk on their own.
Kid's that have ADHD can also have an oral fixation that cases them to chew on things they shouldn't, such as pen lids and plastic. To help your child stop from doing this, try to get them to chew sugarless gum instead and remind them that doing these things can damage their teeth.
Your child may rush quickly through brushing their teeth, so they end up not getting them clean all the way. To help your child brush their teeth the appropriate amount of time, you can put a timer in their bathroom and let them know they should be brushing them until the timer buzzes. Talk with a dentist, like Alaska Dentistry For Kids, for more help.
Share22 April 2016
