3.4 Anticipatory Guidance
Q: How can parents provide effective oral hygiene care at home for their child with special health care needs?
A: Parents need to brush their child’s teeth at least twice a day with no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. A variety of oral hygiene aids are available commercially that can help parents take care of their child’s teeth and gums, such as toothbrush with bigger or textured handles for easier grip, or mouth props. Finding the most comfortable position to perform oral hygiene care with a child with special health care needs is also very important.