| For most of us a visit to the dentist is a scary thought, | | | | The feel of the cold instrument entering their mouth, |
| with a large number of the population actually | | | | the drill sensation, the water spraying, the taste of the |
| experiencing an un-rational fear of the drill noise, smells | | | | mouth wash or paste, all these things could be anxiety |
| and even the dentist himself! | | | | triggers.. |
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| This fear of going to the dentist is picked up on by our | | | | The feel of the dentist chair, the rubber gloves the |
| children and the never ending cycle of dreading the 6 | | | | dentist will wear, the bright light above their face, even |
| monthly check-up takes root. | | | | the goggles they may be asked to wear are these |
| | | | | colored, if so this could also be an anxiety trigger. |
| However with autism, this fear and dread are not | | | | |
| always picked up, autistic children and adults, don’t | | | | The perfume or aftershave, deodorant the nurse or |
| have the ability to “mind read” or read other | | | | dentist is wearing, the smell in the dentist room, even |
| peoples body language. | | | | reception area, the lady opposite you waiting maybe |
| | | | | she has perfume on that will trigger an anxiety attack |
| So what are the difficulties with a dental visit for your | | | | along with these factors comes the uncertainty of |
| autistic child? | | | | why they are even there, why they need to let this |
| | | | | dentist look in their mouth. |
| Well for a start there is the first hurdle, why do I need | | | | |
| to see a dentist? This man or woman wearing a white | | | | All these things need consideration before you even |
| coat, who expects them to lay in a chair with a bright | | | | step foot into the dentist…One tool you can use to |
| light shining in their face, while they look into their mouth | | | | help explain why we need to visit the dentist and |
| using strange equipment. | | | | some of the things that will happen while they are |
| | | | | there is something many parents have found helpful; |
| Although you yourself understand why it is important | | | | “autism social stories”. |
| to have a regular check-up and keep your teeth and | | | | |
| gums healthy. Your autistic child may not understand | | | | These small carefully written social skill stories will give |
| what healthy hygiene habits are, and indeed the | | | | your autistic child clear instructions and explanations as |
| importance of having healthy teeth and gums. | | | | to what is happening, why it is happening, and what |
| | | | | they can expect from others at the time, and what |
| So what do you need to be aware of once you have | | | | others will be expecting of them. |
| actually got your autistic child into the dentist… | | | | |
| | | | | Armed with a good social skills story you can help |
| Autistic children are very sensitive, and your mouth is | | | | your autistic child better cope with visiting the dentist as |
| one of the most sensitive areas on your body, so this | | | | well as many other activities and events they will |
| it-self may cause an anxiety trigger for your autistic | | | | come across in their everyday lives, things we take |
| child. | | | | for granted as “normal”. |
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