{"id":16,"date":"2023-01-05T22:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T22:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cherokeechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=16"},"modified":"2023-01-30T22:49:06","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T22:49:06","slug":"dental-issues-for-children-with-special-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cherokeechildrensdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=16","title":{"rendered":"Common Dental Problems for Children with Special Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you are the parent of a child who has special needs, you’re likely familiar with the difficulty that often comes with helping them maintain excellent oral health. Because of this, there are many oral health problems that are common for children who fit into this category. Continue reading to learn about common dental issues for children with special needs as well as what you can do to help your little one keep their smile healthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Oral Health Problems Are Common Among Children with Special Needs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Children who have behavioral, physical, or mental special needs may find it more difficult to keep their smiles healthy. They have a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities as well as losing teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children who have Down syndrome as well as some genetic disorders can also experience tooth alignment issues, late tooth eruption, crowding, and congenitally missing teeth. There are also certain medications that can cause oral health problems, such as tooth decay, dry mouth, halitosis (bad breath), and a gum overgrowth, which can lead to gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, children who have cerebral palsy or mental conditions may experience worn enamel at a higher rate than those without these conditions. This is because they are more prone to developing bruxism, which is characterized by jaw clenching and tooth grinding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Ways to Safeguard Your Child\u2019s Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can minimize the chances of dental issues for children with special needs, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n