Head Start

Are there special aids to make it easier for parents and caregivers to clean the teeth and gums of children with special health care needs?

Many aids are available to help parents and caregivers clean the teeth and gums of infants and children with special health care needs. Most of these aids can be purchased at grocery or drug stores or from specialized oral health care companies. Oral health professionals and occupational or physical therapists can suggest the best aids to use and can provide information about where they can be purchased.

Some special cleaning aids to help the parent or caregiver clean the teeth and gums of infants and children are

• Teething rings with soft toothbrush bristles, soft finger brushes, and oral swabs help clean infants' gums.

• Toothbrushes with three-sided heads of bristles or with angled handles make it easier to reach hard-to-reach spots in the child's mouth.

• Electric toothbrushes or battery-powered toothbrushes with spin brushes may remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes.

• Plastic or rubber aids (mouth props) help keep a child's mouth open and enable the parent or caregiver to see and clean inside the child's mouth.

• Floss holders help the parent or caregiver clean between the child's teeth. Before flossing, seek guidance from an oral health professional on proper technique to avoid damaging the child's gums.

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste containers that are decorated with brightly colored cartoon characters or that are the child's favorite color, as well as toothpaste flavors that the child prefers, may make children more cooperative.

Performance Standards

1304.21(a)(5)(ii)

1304.21(a)(5)(iii)

1304.23(b)(3)

References

National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center. 2005. Oral Health for Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs: Challenges and Opportunities. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center.

Perlman SP, Friedman C, Fenton SJ. 2008. A Caregivers Guide to Good Oral Health for Persons with Special Needs. Washington, DC: Special Olympics, Healthy Athletes, Special Smiles


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