5 great tips

for helping kids with special needs brush their teeth

Sometimes, it’s an uphill battle getting any kid to brush their teeth, but encouraging children who have special needs can pose unique challenges. Among other things, oral sensitivity and fine-motor-skill issues can make the simple task of brushing teeth almost too much. Parents can get so overwhelmed with all the other simple duties of caring for a special needs child that oral health and hygiene can end up lower on the priority list. As we always preach, the goal for children is to brush two minutes, twice a day. To help with this, we found some tips on how to make it a little easier.

1. Role play
   Try the “Tell-Show-Do” method of behavior modification. Show children—often on a stuffed animal—what we hope to accomplish and allow the child to practice on the stuffed critter to make it a fun experience. They get to be the dentist/hygienist.
2. Tag team
   Ideally, you and a partner can both pitch in with toothbrushing, especially early on in the process of introducing the habit to a child. One person can hold and comfort and the other can actually accomplish the brushing and fluoride application.
3. Play a game
   A popular game is the “smile contest”—as in, “Let’s see who has the biggest smile!” That way a child exposes his teeth for brushing. The patient always wins! You can also entice kids with prizes or stickers. Make it a game, but always reinforce with praise.
4. Put on some tunes 
   People have been very successful with getting kids to brush their teeth to their favorite music. The hidden benefit is that most songs last at least two minutes, so you’ll get them to follow the 2-minute rule without getting bored.
5. Use an electric toothbrush
   The thick handle is easer to hold onto and the action of the toothbrush does most of the work. We recommend the Philips Sonicare brand. (Costco sells them for a great price.)
6. Make a regular toothbrush easier to hold
   For a child with fine-motor-skill issues, holding a regular toothbrush can be challenging. Toothbrushes can be adapted with different things to make it easier for them to grip. Here are a few options:
   • Make a slit into tennis ball and slide the bottom of the tooth brush handle into the tennis ball.
   • Wrap a small cloth, secured with rubber bands, around the bottom of the brush.
   • Bend the toothbrush at an angle that works better for your child. Run the toothbrush handle (avoiding the bristles) under very hot water so that you can gently bend the plastic.
   • Form a glob of Play-Doh around handle.
   • Use a bicycle handle grip. Insert the toothbrush into the hole.