{"id":4029528,"date":"2024-01-08T16:50:53","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T16:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/?p=4029528"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:21:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:21:27","slug":"dental-care-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/dental-care-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental care advice for people with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Disclaimer<\/strong>: I am a dentist gathering knowledge for others. Whilst every effort has been made to use inclusive language, if there is something you think should be worded differently, please get in contact so I can update my knowledge and the article.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n

How can physical and mental impairments impact dental health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People with health conditions or impairments can have a range of challenges with their oral health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This depends greatly on the condition or impairment that they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, people with a cognitive disorder or learning disability might find it harder to understand the need for mouth care. Research by Public Health England<\/a> revealed that people with learning disabilities experience higher levels of untreated dental diseases and poorer access to dental services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with physical disabilities can have difficulties in carrying out personal mouth care. It can be difficult in this case to control hand or arm movements and achieve a good clean. They may even have issues with accessing an area to perform their own dental care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical conditions can have a direct impact on oral health. For example, medications can cause dry mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the cause of the difficulty, there are consequences of poor oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor oral health can lead to pain and discomfort. It can also have a major impact on quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental care for people with autism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autism is a developmental condition. It is worth mentioning in itself because of how common it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 100 people<\/a> have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with ASD can experience difficulties with communication so are unable to verbalise about their dental needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also have cognitive impairments. They can have a lack of understanding as to why oral health is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, people with ASD have sensory differences. They can experience hypersensitivity, which can make oral health care a challenge because the mouth is particularly sensitive. Alternatively, they may be under-sensitive which can pose it\u2019s own challenges for oral care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some small adjustments to their oral care routine may have a positive impact on their overall health. As every person has different triggers it is difficult to be able to give specific advice. Some dental advice for people with autism include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n