~Truth from a Baby Tooth & Lighting it up BLUE for Autism Awareness Month~
Happy “Tooth-Day”!
Farah Flossit here, lighting it up BLUE for Autism Awareness Month (APRIL).
Today I’m going to briefly chat about Autism Awareness & how we in the Pediatric Dental field can give mom’s & dads of children with special needs some good finds to help their children with their visits to the dentist. In addition, I’m going to share some great information about teething, brought to us by the AAPD.
As many of you may or may not know, Autism consists of a “spectrum”. This means that if you have met 1 child with Autism, you have really just met 1 child with Autism because all children on the Spectrum are very different. Some have difficulty with Sensory Integration, some are non-verbal, others are very verbal, etc., but all are very special & unique. Below I’d like to share with you some resources where you can get helpful visuals to help your children prepare for their visit to the dentist. Most children with Autism like to know what to expect. So, if you can show them what they will be experiencing before it actually happens, that always helps.
I found the youtube video below on Pinterest & I feel it is a wonderful tool!
If your child enjoys reading, below is a great low-budget item you must have. Click on the image to take you to the link.
PECS are a very effective way to help non-verbal children with Autism to understand; it’s giving the child a visual schedule–step by step. Don’t forget to click on the image for the link.
Below is a link to “free printables” related to your child’s dental visit & oral hygiene.
With April being “Autism Awareness Month”, I encourage all families to accept & embrace families that live with Autism. Wear blue & spread awareness. Stay tuned, as I will continue to post more resources throughout the month in honor of Autism Awareness.
For those parents embarking in the teething stages, here’s some useful information: (Courtesy of the AAPD)
Teething: As Told By A Baby Tooth
All parents know teething can be a stressful and trying time filled with sleepless nights. Here are five things parents need to know to navigate the teething landscape, straight from the source – the little tooth that can be a big pain for babies, parents and caregivers alike!
1. You can expect me to show up around the time your little one is 6 – 8 months old. But please have patience! Sometimes I need a little more time, and will arise around 12 – 14 months of age.
2. You will know when I’m about to arrive because your little one might be irritable and attempting to chew on hard objects. I usually show up first in the bottom jaw with a buddy, then my friends, the two top teeth, show up next!
3. The best way to help me introduce myself to your little one is to use a teething ring or gently rub your child’s gums with a cool, wet washcloth with a clean finger.
4. Once I’ve arrived, it’s time to start brushing each morning and night and begin flossing once I’m touching another tooth. This will typically happen around or after age 2. You should supervise brushing until your little one is 7 or 8 years old. Most children will master flossing by age 10.
5. After I appear, it’s time to visit the pediatric dentist! He’ll be able to tell you how to take care of my baby teeth friends and me once we all arrive. Part of keeping us healthy means being prepared for any emergencies – be sure to place this guide on your fridge with your pediatric dentist’s contact information in case I’m knocked out or chipped!
If your little one’s baby teeth have already arrived, but haven’t been introduced to a pediatric dentist yet, remember it’s never too late! Visit Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for all you Dental needs.
Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!
I look forward to chatting with you all next week!
In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.
Your Friend,
Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)
