Oral Health
Why good oral health is important for babies and children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND)
Maintaining your child’s oral health can help prevent disease, pain, and infections. It also plays a key role in supporting their overall physical and mental health. Good oral hygiene can help your baby or child with:
- Eating,
- Sleeping,
- Talking and communicating.
By prioritising oral health, you are ensuring their comfort and well-being in these important areas of life.
Taking care of your teeth can:
- Stop teeth from going bad. Eating lots of sugary snacks or drinks can make teeth rot. If your child needs a special diet, like more calories, be careful with sugar. Try to use medicines without sugar when you can. If you're worried about too much sugar, talk to your child's health visitor, doctor, dentist, or dietician.
- Stop gum problems. Gums can get red, puffy, and sore if plaque builds up. Plaque is a sticky layer of germs that sits on your teeth. To learn more, visit: GOSH: Tooth Plaque.
- Help stop other health problems from getting worse.
- Lower the chance of getting diabetes or lung infections.
- Avoid needing to go to the hospital to have teeth taken out.
- Help your child stay in nursery or school so you don’t have to miss work to take care of them.
Extra care for your child's teeth and mouth
Your child might need extra help with their teeth if they have:
- Crooked or different-shaped teeth– brushing carefully can stop the teeth from getting holes.
- Missing or extra teeth– this might mean they need braces. But some children can’t wear braces, so they might need to have teeth removed instead.
- Dry mouth– some medicines can cause this. Saliva helps stop holes in teeth, so if your child has a dry mouth, give them sips of water. The dentist might also suggest special toothpaste or something to help keep their mouth wet.
- Eating non-food things like dirt or paint (this is called pica) – this can hurt their teeth. Keep non-food items out of reach, and never leave them alone when they play.
- Grinding or clenching teeth– this can wear down their teeth and make them sore. This is common for children who have sensory-seeking behaviours or stimming.
- Injuries to the mouth– some children might hurt their teeth or gums if they have trouble moving, epilepsy, or if they bite their tongue or lips.
- Trouble talking or showing pain– if your child changes how they eat, starts drooling, or has outbursts, it could be tooth pain. If you think this is happening, see a dentist. If it’s not treated, they might need to go to the hospital to have teeth taken out.
Talk to your doctor or dentist if your baby or child has any of these problems or if you are worried. There might be ways to help. Your health visitor, doctor, or dentist can give you advice and support if you need help.
How to keep your baby or child’s teeth and mouth healthy
Figure 1
Smear: up to 3 years
Figure 2
Pea-sized blob: 3 to 6 years
Brushing your baby’s or child’s teeth helps keep their mouth clean and stops infections. This is really important for babies and children who are tube-fed or have trouble swallowing. You can watch a short video with Dr. Ranj and “Super tooth” to learn about looking after the teeth of children under 3: Watch the video.
Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day. For children under 3, use a tiny bit of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. For children over 3, use a pea-sized amount. Make sure to brush all parts of the teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste (1350-1500ppm).
Special products can help keep teeth clean. Ask your dentist about these.
Bleeding gums when brushing is normal. Just keep brushing, as it will help clean away germs and make gums healthier.
If your child doesn’t like brushing their teeth, there are some helpful tips you can try.
When should you worry?
Advice and Guidance
Top Tips for Helping Your Child with Tooth Brushing
Staying Calm
- Make tooth brushing a fun family activity. Brush your teeth together and make it a positive routine.
- If your child gets upset while brushing, try doing it when they are calmer, like during bath time, or distract them with music or a favourite toy.
- Sometimes, brushing may require two people: one person can distract or comfort your child while the other does the brushing.
- If your child gags or bites down during brushing, try:
- Brushing at a time when they are more relaxed
- Starting with the front teeth and working your way to the back.
- Usiing a second toothbrush as a toy or distraction.
- Gently massaging their face or head to relax them before brushing.
Practical Tips
- Don’t worry if brushing isn’t perfect every time. If it’s difficult, just smear some toothpaste on their teeth and try again later.
- Focus on one area of the mouth at a time to make it easier.
- For younger children, laying them on your lap can help. Alternatively, you can stand behind them or sit with them and support their head. Some children enjoy watching themselves in the mirror during brushing.
- You don’t have to brush in the bathroom - choose a room where your child feels most comfortable.
Sensory Tips
- Let your child play with a toothbrush so they can get used to how it feels.
- If your child doesn’t like the taste or texture of regular toothpaste, try a mild or non-mint flavour, or use a low-foaming, flavourless toothpaste.
Useful Equipment
- There are special toothbrushes that can make brushing easier, like three-sided brushes that clean multiple surfaces at once (see product guide).
- A foam ball on the handle of the toothbrush can help if your child has trouble gripping it.
- Pump-style toothpaste can also be easier to manage.
Extra Help
- If your child has trouble swallowing, try brushing their teeth while they’re sitting up or leaning forward, and use a low-foaming toothpaste.
- In some cases, a toothbrush that attaches to a portable suction machine can help keep your child’s mouth clean.
Myth Busting!
Some people think that if a baby or childdoesn’t eat or drink orally, we don’t need to worry about brushing their teeth.But that’s not true! Even if a baby or child uses a feeding tube, they stillneed to visit the dentist and have their teeth brushed.
It’s important to take care of their mouth and teeth because it helps to:
- Keep their mouth clean and comfortable.
- Stop bad breath.
- Make their mouth feel less sensitive and help their muscles get stronger.
- Remove germs (plaque) from their mouth.
- Lower the chance of getting chest infections.
Top Tips for Visiting your oral healthcare team
Going to the dentist isimportant to keep your child’s mouth healthy. Sometimes, it can feel scary orstrange for kids. Here are some tips to help:
- Find a Dentist: You can look online to find an NHS dentist close to you.
- Talk to the Dentist: Before you go, tell the dental team what you’re worried about so they can help.
- Explain Your Child’s Needs: Let the dental team know what your child likes or doesn’t like, and how they talk or if they need special equipment.
- Prepare Your Child: Help your child understand what will happen. You can show them books or videos to make them feel more ready.
- Visit Before: If possible, visit the dental team before your child’s appointment so it’s less scary. You can also take your child when you have your own check-up, so they can see that everyone goes to the dentist.
- Special Care: If your child needs extra help, they might need to visit a special community dentist or one at a hospital. Your dentist can arrange this if needed.
Further information:
- Patient Info - https://www.bspd.co.uk/Patients/PatientInfo
- British Society of Paediatric Dentistry - Advice for parents of children with autism - Available from: https://www.bspd.co.uk/Portals/0/BSPD%20Advice%20for%20parents%20of%20children%20with%20autism%20Jan%2017.pdf
- A practical guide to children’s teeth - Available from: https://www.bspd.co.uk/Portals/0/A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Childrens%20Teeth.pdf
- Smiles for Life - Here is a collection of videos which are presented by Dr Ranj, Hey Duggee, CBeebies and Brush DJ about looking after teeth: https://www.bspd.co.uk/Kidsvids
Self care and Prevention
Video Showcase
Related Conditions
Further Information
