If you have a child with special needs, you know it takes a more specialized approach to medical care to keep them healthy and thriving. Alaska Dentistry for Kids, Anchorage’s leading childrens dental center, understands this and offers the best special needs dentistry in the entire south-central Alaska area.

Dr. Chris Coplin of Alaska Dentistry for Kids says it’s important that children with Down syndrome and other special needs be accommodated when it comes to the oral healthcare they receive. Children with Down syndrome often experience more oral health problems, like periodontal disease and malformed teeth, so pediatric dentists must offer more specialized care to keep their teeth and mouth in top shape.

Take a look at the treatments and methods of care special needs dentistry centers offer to kids with Down syndrome:

• Upright Positioning: Because some patients with Down syndrome and other special needs require tube feeding or suffer from conditions like gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes stomach acids to enter the esophagus, it’s important to keep them positioned upright in the dental chair during procedures.

• High-Volume Suctioning & Minimal Water Usage: For some children with Down syndrome, aspiration is a concern. To prevent water from entering their lungs during a dental procedure, dentists will use high-volume suctioning and less water when rinsing their teeth and mouth.
• Early Dental Checkups: While most dentists recommend all children visit the dentist by age one, this is especially important for kids with Down syndrome. Because they can have complication with tooth eruptions and malformations, it’s a good idea to have their oral health monitored from an early age.
• Periodontal Disease Care: Periodontal disease is the irritation or infection of the gum tissue, which children with Down syndrome frequently experience. To catch periodontal concerns before they become too problematic, children with special needs should have regular checkups and cleanings.
• Chlorhexidine Prescription: Many special needs dentistry centers will prescribe Chlorhexidine to patients with Down syndrome, which is an oral antimicrobial rinse. Because children with Down syndrome have a higher chance of developing periodontal disease, Chlorhexidine is often recommended as part of their daily oral hygiene routine to minimize the growth of bacteria.

To learn more about the approach pediatric dentists take when treating children with Down syndrome and other special needs, consult Dr. Coplin of Alaska Dentistry for Kids. You can schedule an appointment for your child by calling his office at (907) 274-2525. In the meantime, be sure to browse his website, where you can read more about the children’s dental care he provides.