Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 I hope for adam this gets easier, Medicaid, for him, paid because of health problems its to risky on his health to do it any other way. I hope to eventually make our way to a dental office. I am with you, on hating dental trips... michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 We found a dentist who was willing to give and Versed (much like vallium, but has an amnesiac effect and fewer side effects) in his office. Andy does really well with this as long as folks stay calm. Yes, we still ahve to restrain him at times, But no more than *I* feel restrained when I'm in the dentist chair (I hate the dentist). It is much less expensive to do it this way. I doubht adults go to the OR for a mere cleaning - Medicaid would never pay for that and I think, but don't quote me, that Medicaid doesn't always come with dental insurance... Oh the joys. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 - My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula placement and 8 months of NG tube use for feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very slowly over time (read: years). Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem in the long run. The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. Hugs- Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) Mitch0519@... wrote: Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so bad, He is still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not for sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 times a day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth cleaned? I am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. michelle (adam;s mom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 I doubht adults go to the OR for a mere cleaning - Medicaid would never pay for that and I think, but don't quote me, that Medicaid doesn't always come with dental insurance... Oh the joys. Joan Joan, I know of a couple of individuals who have a dental exam, cleaning, and x-rays under general anesthesia every couple of years. It is covered by medicaid with prior auth. in Wisconsin. Karyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Elie does not allow tooth brushing. When he was younger, I did try the counting - didn't work. Tried hammerlock - worked until he was stronger than I and finally gave up. HE eats NO candy, very little cake or cookies . HE does love ice cream however. He drinks alot, but we go with diet drinks, or ice water. Milk is with meals. we were told that sugarless gum would help to keep the ph right in his n=mouth, but he wouldn't put it in his mouth. Other than that, we did have him anesthetized once to put fluoride and sealant on and do a thorough cleaning and 2 fillings. Since then, the dentist has been able to clean his teeth with a soft foam block to help him keep his mouth open. AND they are quick. No xrays. We see a new dentist next week. Keep your fingers crossed. Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons. > >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: dental work >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > >- > My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed >fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a >wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the >discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess >we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a > " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see >what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th >time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have >DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a >day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to >not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three >years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long >periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula >placement and 8 months of NG tube use for > feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around >his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism >connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis >yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can >trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. > > Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in >or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a >vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching >his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us >in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found >that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to >ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that >and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... > ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e-t-c-h >out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are >performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, >toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even >decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding >therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive >means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his >teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was >important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we >would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very >slowly over time (read: years). > > Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general >anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is >the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept >someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant >risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and >respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little >problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The >alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem >in the long run. > > The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. > It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist >we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us >feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with >great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good >information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he >is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. > > Hugs- > Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) > >Mitch0519@... wrote: > Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so >bad, He is >still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not >for >sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 >fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 >times a >day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems >with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth >cleaned? I >am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. >michelle >(adam;s mom) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 In PA Medicaide pays for anesthesia for dental work!!! we had Elie done in PHL at Episcopal Hospital oin their special program for people with disabilities. Otherwise, I too would prefer VERSED. Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons. > >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: dental work >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:38:26 -0700 (PDT) > >We found a dentist who was willing to give and Versed (much like vallium, >but has an amnesiac effect and fewer side effects) in his office. Andy does >really well with this as long as folks stay calm. Yes, we still ahve to >restrain him at times, But no more than *I* feel restrained when I'm in the >dentist chair (I hate the dentist). It is much less expensive to do it this >way. > >I doubht adults go to the OR for a mere cleaning - Medicaid would never pay >for that and I think, but don't quote me, that Medicaid doesn't always come >with dental insurance... > >Oh the joys. > >Joan > > > > >-------------------------------------------------- >Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos of >our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by >including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the >archives for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ >-------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 My dentist said that for some odd reason, kids with DS very rarely have cavities. Jake does not eat candy, loves ice cream, and does brush his teeth, just not all that great. He only tolerates it for a minute or so. Just enough to go over the teeth quickly. He has been to the dentist quite a bit and they use a bitterly vest which is almost like a straight jacket. I stay with him and although he does scream, they are always very calm and reassuring him. We are lucky that he recovers from these things very quickly. I did suggest that the next time, we might try some kind of calming medicine. they can put him out but they prefer to help them adjust but they always leave it up to me and how I think he will do. It is such a tough call. I am exhausted after his cleaning and I can only imagine how it will be once he get a little bigger. Holly Re: dental work >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > >- > My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed >fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a >wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the >discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess >we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a > " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see >what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th >time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have >DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a >day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to >not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three >years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long >periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula >placement and 8 months of NG tube use for > feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around >his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism >connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis >yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can >trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. > > Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in >or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a >vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching >his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us >in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found >that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to >ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that >and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... > ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e-t-c-h >out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are >performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, >toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even >decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding >therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive >means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his >teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was >important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we >would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very >slowly over time (read: years). > > Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general >anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is >the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept >someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant >risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and >respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little >problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The >alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem >in the long run. > > The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. > It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist >we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us >feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with >great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good >information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he >is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. > > Hugs- > Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) > >Mitch0519@... wrote: > Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so >bad, He is >still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not >for >sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 >fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 >times a >day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems >with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth >cleaned? I >am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. >michelle >(adam;s mom) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 --- Allyson's is now 13 years old and we have the same problems.She hates anything never her mouth. Brushing teeth happens once a week at best. She also has to go to the OR every other year for x- ray,cleaning and fillings.I know some kids with DS that brush their own teeth. Maybe it has something to do with the Austistic side of our kids. Louisiana Medcaid stops dental services at the age of 22. I do not know what we will do after that age. In , " Holly Giglio " wrote: > > My dentist said that for some odd reason, kids with DS very rarely have cavities. Jake does not eat candy, loves ice cream, and does brush his teeth, just not all that great. He only tolerates it for a minute or so. Just enough to go over the teeth quickly. He has been to the dentist quite a bit and they use a bitterly vest which is almost like a straight jacket. I stay with him and although he does scream, they are always very calm and reassuring him. We are lucky that he recovers from these things very quickly. I did suggest that the next time, we might try some kind of calming medicine. they can put him out but they prefer to help them adjust but they always leave it up to me and how I think he will do. > It is such a tough call. I am exhausted after his cleaning and I can only imagine how it will be once he get a little bigger. > Holly > > Re: dental work > >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > > > >- > > My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed > >fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a > >wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the > >discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess > >we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a > > " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see > >what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th > >time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have > >DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a > >day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to > >not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three > >years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long > >periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula > >placement and 8 months of NG tube use for > > feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around > >his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism > >connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis > >yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can > >trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. > > > > Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in > >or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a > >vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching > >his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us > >in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found > >that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to > >ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that > >and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... > > ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e- t-c-h > >out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are > >performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, > >toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even > >decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding > >therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive > >means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his > >teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was > >important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we > >would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very > >slowly over time (read: years). > > > > Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general > >anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is > >the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept > >someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant > >risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and > >respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little > >problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The > >alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem > >in the long run. > > > > The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. > > It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist > >we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us > >feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with > >great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good > >information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he > >is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. > > > > Hugs- > > Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) > > > >Mitch0519@... wrote: > > Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so > >bad, He is > >still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not > >for > >sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 > >fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 > >times a > >day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems > >with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth > >cleaned? I > >am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. > >michelle > >(adam;s mom) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Dear Holly, It is the same for my son Neil, he has gone to the dentist he does not like too, but we have been so lucky he has never had a cavity...he is not a fan of candy but likes alot of lot of other sugary things well basicly he loves food.... (mother of Neil 24 ds/austism hot springs arkansas) Holly Giglio wrote: My dentist said that for some odd reason, kids with DS very rarely have cavities. Jake does not eat candy, loves ice cream, and does brush his teeth, just not all that great. He only tolerates it for a minute or so. Just enough to go over the teeth quickly. He has been to the dentist quite a bit and they use a bitterly vest which is almost like a straight jacket. I stay with him and although he does scream, they are always very calm and reassuring him. We are lucky that he recovers from these things very quickly. I did suggest that the next time, we might try some kind of calming medicine. they can put him out but they prefer to help them adjust but they always leave it up to me and how I think he will do. It is such a tough call. I am exhausted after his cleaning and I can only imagine how it will be once he get a little bigger. Holly Re: dental work >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > >- > My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed >fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a >wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the >discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess >we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a > " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see >what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th >time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have >DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a >day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to >not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three >years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long >periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula >placement and 8 months of NG tube use for > feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around >his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism >connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis >yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can >trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. > > Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in >or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a >vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching >his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us >in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found >that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to >ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that >and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... > ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e-t-c-h >out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are >performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, >toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even >decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding >therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive >means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his >teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was >important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we >would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very >slowly over time (read: years). > > Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general >anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is >the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept >someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant >risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and >respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little >problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The >alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem >in the long run. > > The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. > It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist >we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us >feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with >great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good >information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he >is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. > > Hugs- > Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) > >Mitch0519@... wrote: > Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so >bad, He is >still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not >for >sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 >fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 >times a >day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems >with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth >cleaned? I >am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. >michelle >(adam;s mom) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Dear Holly, It is the same for my son Neil, he has gone to the dentist he does not like too, but we have been so lucky he has never had a cavity...he is not a fan of candy but likes alot of lot of other sugary things well basicly he loves food.... (mother of Neil 24 ds/austism hot springs arkansas) Holly Giglio wrote: My dentist said that for some odd reason, kids with DS very rarely have cavities. Jake does not eat candy, loves ice cream, and does brush his teeth, just not all that great. He only tolerates it for a minute or so. Just enough to go over the teeth quickly. He has been to the dentist quite a bit and they use a bitterly vest which is almost like a straight jacket. I stay with him and although he does scream, they are always very calm and reassuring him. We are lucky that he recovers from these things very quickly. I did suggest that the next time, we might try some kind of calming medicine. they can put him out but they prefer to help them adjust but they always leave it up to me and how I think he will do. It is such a tough call. I am exhausted after his cleaning and I can only imagine how it will be once he get a little bigger. Holly Re: dental work >Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:31:57 -0700 (PDT) > >- > My son, DJ, age 11 is scheduled for teeth cleaning and any needed >fillings, etc. under general anesthesia this coming Tuesday. What a >wonderful way to spend Halloween day : ) I have to laugh now about the >discussion we had recently about Halloween costumes for our kids---I guess >we could just leave DJ in his garb from the hospital and he could go as a > " patient " OR maybe I should dress him up " scary " to enter the OR and see >what the OR team does with that! LOL Anyway, it is about the 6th or 7th >time we have gone through this. It seems like the only way we can have >DJ's teeth cleaned as he barely tolerates someone brushing his teeth once a >day. He has a note on his chart that he is " orally aversive " . He used to >not let anyone near his mouth and we attributed it to his rocky first three >years when he survived open-heart surgery, being entubated for long >periods, 2 bouts of RSV with entubation, long periods of oxygen cannula >placement and 8 months of NG tube use for > feeding. The Drs. decided that he just learned that things in or around >his mouth HURT! We have just recently found out about the Autism >connection to oral aversiveness - but since we don't have that diagnosis >yet it just bolsters our resolve to continue to seek someone here we can >trust to evaluate DJ in that regard. > > Because of DJ's sensitivity we just kept trying to find ways to play in >or around his mouth to decrease that sensitivity. We also employed a >vibrating toothbrush, first as a play item to get him used to it (touching >his hands, cheek, arm), and later in his mouth. We found DJ would let us >in if we counted to 10 as a signal that we were finished. I have found >that DJ will let us do things he normally would not tolerate if we count to >ten when we do it, and then stop. He has learned to trust enough for that >and we ourselves don't push him much further, though sometimes we slow.... > ....our ...counting ...down ....quite ....a ....bit to s-t-r-e-t-c-h >out the time we get to perform whatever unappreciated task we are >performing on him (ie. nail cutting, hair brushing, face washing, >toothbrushing).I have to say that we also have had to intervene or even >decline some interventions offered by well-meaning but not understanding >therapists and medical people who wanted us to employ more restrictive >means of keeping his mouth open for them or for ourselves to brush his >teeth. We always agreed with the counsel we got that said it was >important to create trust and to make it fun for our son and in that way we >would get more positive results. The positive results have come ... very >slowly over time (read: years). > > Allowing your child to go through multiple procedures requiring general >anesthesia certainly isn't a decision arrived at lightly, but for us it is >the decision we have made for now. Until DJ shows us he is ready to accept >someone working in his mouth himself at least. There are significant >risks, but DJ has proven himself a survivor and I must acknowledge and >respect that. He comes through these teeth cleaning procedures with little >problem and I try to schedule them as far apart as he can possibly go. The >alternative is letting his teeth look horrible and create a health problem >in the long run. > > The decision is ultimately up to you but wanted to share our experience. > It has been very positive so far. It certainly helps to have the dentist >we have - he treats many patients with developmental delay and makes us >feel that he understands our unique needs. He doesn't entertain us with >great jokes or a song and dance, but he does seem to give us good >information, is efficient and competent in his work, and makes us feel he >is focused solely on us and our child when it is our turn for his services. > > Hugs- > Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11) > >Mitch0519@... wrote: > Adam has his dental surgery today. At only 3 his teeth were so >bad, He is >still taking a bottle becuase of swallowing and medication issues(but not >for >sleeping). Also because of his history it was all done in the OR. He had 6 >fillings and calcifucation of a couple of teeth. We brush him everyday 2 >times a >day but 9 times out of 10 its a huge battle. Have any of you had problems >with teeth. and is this how older kids with downs have to get teeth >cleaned? I >am scared to death everytime I have to hand over adam to the OR. >michelle >(adam;s mom) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 <<<Allyson's is now 13 years old and we have the same problems.She hates anything never her mouth. Brushing teeth happens once a week at best. She also has to go to the OR every other year for x- ray,cleaning and fillings.I know some kids with DS that brush their own teeth. Maybe it has something to do with the Austistic side of our kids. Louisiana Medcaid stops dental services at the age of 22. I do not know what we will do after that age>>>> That is so wrong. What, people quit having teeth when they turn 22? Karyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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