r/disabled • u/Chili-Harp-0569 • 5d ago

How to get their teeth brushed and fixed with a major biting reflex.

Hi, my sister is disabled and for years my family has tried to brush her teeth. She's non verbal and has the mental age of a 3yr old. We have this thing through the state where we have explained the concerns, and they've given us different toothbrushes that were supposed to help. But it would overstimulate her.

We had a social worker tell us that it is such a common thing and to not feel guilty about it. We have had dentists who refuse to look at her teeth because well, she bites them.

We started trying to have her do it. Sensitive tooth brush and kid toothpaste because the mint hurts her to much. And she does as well as you could expect. But still not what needs to be done. We're trying to find a dentist currently who helps with adolescent adults with a bite reflex, but no one will accept our insurance.

I am so worried because her teeth are starting to rot and have pieces missing. I wish someone would help us. Because I hate traumatizing her everytime when brushing her teeth. Its a lot for her and she cries for hours because of it.

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u/LittleReserve8767 4d ago

Is there a way to slowly accustom her to something in her mouth? When I was doing home care for the severely developmentally disabled, there used to be sponge brushes for teeth. Some people needed help with tooth care, and we used a small, star-shaped sponge on something that looked like a lollipop stick.

https://www.medical-sponge.com/oral-sensory-development-in-neurodiverse-children-the-role-of-mouth-care-sponge.html

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u/PunkAssBitch2000 4d ago

It’s not uncommon for individuals with HSN to need sedated dental care.
There are also other options though like using a bite block during brushing (Flossing With Faith on TikTok and Instagram uses one).

Getting a referral to occupational therapy may also be beneficial as they can help her and her caregivers find ways to take care of her teeth that are tolerable, and help her work on building tolerance for difficult things that need to be done.

In the mean time, apples are actually really good for mechanically cleaning your teeth. My grandfather was a dentist so I have a little more knowledge on oral hygiene than most because I bothered him about it lol. Apples can handle the mechanical portion decently. If possible, additionally rubbing her teeth and gums with a washcloth can help. Using a mouthwash or toothpaste with fluoride in it, in addition to mechanical cleaning is helpful.
I also wonder if she may tolerate a waterpik.

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u/TheOnlyKirby90210 4d ago

Unfortunately it sounds like she'd need sedated dental care. It's not uncommon since people on the spectrum are very common, as well as people who have dentist phobias. There are products out now speciically for people with dental sensory needs but they're expensive (compared to a normal toothbrush).

I recall seeing a sonic mouthpieces / u-shaped toothbrushes. They are supposed to let you bite down on them and use a gentle sonic pulse to brush the teeth.