Category talk:Dental
From Holoprosencephaly
Helpful Advice/Suggestions for Providing Oral Care to Individuals with Holoprosencephaly
- Commercially modified toothbrushes, with specially shaped and angled heads, powered heads, extra rows of bristles, extended and/or flexible handles; etc. may be useful for parents at home. These products assist with reaching areas that typical toothbrushes cannot, especially if the individual is unable to cooperate with dental care and holding their mouth open. Talk with your child's dentist about these special toothbrushes.
- The molt mouth gag helps prop the mouth open while leaving the teeth exposed. It has a rachet and lock mechanism that props the mouth open for tooth brushing and examination. This is especially useful for individuals who have a tonic bite or those who cannot open their mouths and keep them open upon request. Talk with your child's dentist about using this device.
- If there isn't a suction machine in the home already, it may be useful for parents to get a doctor or dentist's order for one of these so that toothbrushing may be done safely. Some individuals with holoprosencephaly are unable to manage their own secretions, so adding extra water and toothpaste may be especially difficult to handle. Solid, plastic oral catheters, such as the Yankeur suction catheter, may be useful for toothbrushing.
- Until parents are able to develop and use a safe and satisfactory toothbrushing routine with their child under the supervision of their dentist, oral health care should not be neglected. A simple thing to use may be a washcloth. Parents can dip the end of the washcloth in water and use an oral cleansing gel or toothpaste, specially formulated for babies and children, two or three times daily on the teeth and gums to remove plaque and bacteria.
