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Dental Care and Down Syndrome

Dental Care and Down Syndrome

By Reno Laser Dentistry

January 05, 2012

Category: dental reno

Tags: Reno Laser Dentistry Reno Dentist Reno Dental Oral Care Dental Care and Down Syndrome Children's Dental Care

Parents of children with Down syndrome have many medical issues that they have to consider. Do you know the difference on how to care for a child with Down syndrome dental needs? Parents have a huge responsibility to care for children with special needs but at the same time is one of the most rewarding that a parent can have.

According to the editors at the National Down Syndrome Society; listed the deference’s for parents with children with Down syndrome proper dental care needs and what to expect as their child continues to grow.

•“Delayed Eruption – The teeth of people with Down syndrome, both baby teeth and permanent teeth, may come in late compared to children without Down syndrome. On average, babies with Down syndrome get their first tooth at 12 to 14 months, but it may be as late as 24 months of age. Babies without Down syndrome typically get their first teeth between 6-12 months. It is typical that a child with Down syndrome may not get all 20 baby teeth until he or she is 4 to 5 years of age, rather than 2-3 years of age, which is typical for kids without Down syndrome. The front permanent teeth and permanent 6 year old molars may not erupt until 8 to 9 years of age. It is also common for the teeth of kids with Down syndrome to erupt in a different order than kids without Down syndrome.

•Small and Missing Teeth – Frequently, people with Down syndrome have smaller than average teeth, and missing teeth. It is also common for the teeth of people with Down syndrome to have roots that are shorter than average.

•Large Tongues – People with Down syndrome may have large tongues or they may have an average size tongue and a small upper jaw that makes their tongue too large for their mouth. It is also common for people with Down syndrome to have grooves and fissures on their tongues.

•Problems with Bite – People with Down syndrome may have small teeth, which can cause spacing between the teeth. They also tend to have a small upper jaw. This may cause crowding of the teeth and may result in the permanent teeth being “impacted” because there is no room in the mouth for them to come in. The small upper jaw may create a situation where the top teeth do not go over the bottom teeth the way they are meant to, instead they bottom teeth may be out further than the top teeth in the back teeth, the front teeth, or both. It is also common that the front teeth of people with Down syndrome do not touch in front. Orthodontics (braces) may be able to improve some of these issues. Orthodontics requires a lot of cooperation and makes the teeth even more difficult to keep clean, so it may not be possible in all people or it may be a good idea to wait until a child is older and able to tolerate it a bit better. Having orthodontic appliances in the mouth can also pose challenges to speech. Children without Down syndrome typically adapt their speech quickly; however, in a child with Down syndrome, where speech may already be an issue, adapting to the appliances may be very difficult. Therefore, it may be a good idea to delay orthodontic treatment until a child is older and his/her speech is further along.

•Gum Disease – People with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for gum disease (periodontal disease). In people with Down syndrome, even when they do not have a lot of plaque and tartar (calculus) they still get periodontal disease more frequently than others. This is because people with Down syndrome have an impaired immune system and do not have some of the natural protections against this disease that people without Down syndrome have. To prevent gum disease brush twice daily, focusing the bristles along the gum line, floss daily, visit the dentist regularly to have the gum health monitored and to take x-rays to monitor bone levels.

•Cavities – Some research says that people with Down syndrome are at less of a risk for cavities; however, much of that research was done when people with Down syndrome lived in institutions and had very restricted diets. People with Down syndrome do get cavities, so brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing between any teeth that touch, and limiting the amount and frequency of sugar and refined carbohydrates eaten will help to prevent the development of cavities.

What parents can do to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Brush teeth twice daily with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Children less than 2 years should get a thin “smear” of fluoride toothpaste, and children 2 to 5 years should get a small “pea-sized” amount.
Limit the frequency of sugar, and cracker and bread based snacks
The first dental visit should be within 6 months of the first tooth erupting or by 1 year of age.
Visit the dentist regularly, typically every 6 months, but some people may need to go more often.”

You can read the full article at http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274:dental-issues-and-down-syndrome&catid=60:associated-conditions&Itemid=88&limitstart=1

Contact Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno for more information or to set-up an appointment.

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