Oral Health Tips For Children With Autism

For children with autism, caring for teeth can be challenging. The sensation of brushing, opening their mouth, or laying back in a dental chair may feel uncomfortable. Every child is different! Fortunately, there are ways to make the experience less stressful. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, here are a few tips to help children with autism care for their teeth.

Oral Health Tips:

1. Choose the Right Toothbrush - Choose a toothbrush that is the right size for your child’s mouth — and make sure that the bristles are soft. This will minimize discomfort.
2. Teach Them to “Open Wide” - Get your child used to the sensation of opening their mouth wide for brushing or for dental visits.
3. Show Them How to Brush - Stand behind your child with their head on your chest. Then, you can guide the brush as if you were brushing your own teeth. If your child is uncomfortable doing this in the bathroom, try brushing their teeth on the couch or bed — wherever they feel the most comfortable.
4. Introduce Flossing - Again, place your child’s head on your chest and floss as if it were your own teeth.
5. Use a Timer - For some children, using a timer can help make tooth brushing simple, as they can see when the task will be over.
6. Use Visual Supports - If your child benefits from visual supports and schedules, take photographs of the steps on how to brush your teeth. Print them and create a visual for your child. You can also create a schedule that they can check off after the activities occur.
7. Reward Them For a Job Well Done - If your child benefits from verbal praise — reward them after each step! 

And in honor of Autism Awareness Month, we’re proud to team up with Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America- NSASA again to support their incredible efforts in the Autism Community here on Long Island.

For a donation of $1 or more, we ask you to sign your name in a heart and we will display these hearts within our locations during the month of April. Our offices will also be MATCHING donations!!

AND for every new Google or Yelp review as well as Facebook Page Like on our main page (Adelberg & Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics), we will also donate $1 to NSASA. All donations will go toward social and recreational events for individuals with autism on Long Island!

Give any of our four locations a call with any questions or for more information.

And if you are in need of a local pediatric dentist and/or orthodontist that treats young children with special needs, look no further! Our doctors are specially trained in providing dental health care for children with autism. Contact us today to learn more.

Spring Cleaning: 5 Things to Throw Out

Now that spring has officially sprung, where are you in your spring cleaning process? If you haven’t yet started, don’t worry — there is still plenty of time!

Remember, when it comes to spring cleaning you’ll want to start small. Dedicate your energy to one room or space at a time — it’s always easier to tackle smaller tasks than an entire home in one shot.

As you start clearing the clutter, below are five items you can certainly look to toss!

1. Magazines. Do you have a stack of magazines accumulating somewhere in your home? If so, chances are you don’t need them. If you can’t remember the last time you flipped through the pages, it’s time to drop the pile off at your local recycling center.
2. Clothes. Instead of throwing out a perfectly good pair of jeans just because your child outgrew them, go the donation route. Goodwill happily accepts new or gently used items or consider scheduling a pickup with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Someone in need will thank you!
3. Toys. Similar to the above, if you have any gently used toys your kids no longer play with — donate them! However, if you have broken toys or games with missing pieces, it may be time to retire them completely.
4. Expired Items. From food to medicine, check expiration dates and toss anything that cannot be used. From there be sure to take inventory of missing items and add them to your next shopping list.
5. Old Toothbrushes. We’ve hit the three month mark! If you replaced your toothbrush this New Year, now is the time to change it (again). Remember, old bristles hold on to bacteria and aren’t as effective in cleaning teeth.
   

Instead of just throwing out your old toothbrush, repurpose it! They make a great cleaning tool! Save a toothbrush to use for cleaning your delicate jewelry and another for cleaning those hard to reach spots in the bathroom.

How do you repurpose old toothbrushes? Share with us on our Facebook Page!

Adelberg Montalvan specializes in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and welcoming environment, in four different Long Island locations: Massapequa Park, Nesconset, West Islip and Huntington Station. If you are in need of a local pediatric dentist and/or orthodontist, look no further! Contact us today to learn more.