Sedation Dentistry for Physically Disabled

    DALLAS, TX, December 06, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- People with special needs, such as the physically disabled, are often incapable of maintaining good oral hygiene practices. A disabled person may not be able to fully understand the importance of daily brushing and flossing or may find it difficult to actually perform these functions without assistance (and be reluctant to ask for help). In addition, many disabled people experience a gag reflex when they actually do attempt to brush.

Some of the developmental or acquired disabilities that may interfere with proper oral hygiene include (but are not limited to):
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Autism
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Parkinson's Disease

When an individual is not able to properly brush and floss on a regular basis, the teeth will begin to suffer if frequent dental care is not provided. The person may also experience conditions such as an overabundance of saliva or dry mouth (also known as Xerostomia), which can complicate matters further and lead to:
• Gum disease
• Periodontal disease
• Cavities
• Tooth decay

In order to keep a physically disabled person's teeth in good, healthy condition, frequent trips to the dentist become even more important.

The problem

A dentist's office can be a frightening place for a person with special needs. Even if the person is not upset upon arrival at the office, he may find it difficult or even impossible to remain still and calm during dental procedures.

The solution

Sedation dentistry can help make a visit to the dentist's office a pleasant and relaxing experience for a person with special needs. A qualified, experienced dentist can offer a variety of safe and effective sedatives to calm the patient and sometimes allow him to sleep through the treatments. Some commonly used sedation dentistry drugs include:
• Valium
• Triazolam
• Ativan
• Sonata
• Vistaril

Before any sedation medication is given to a special needs patient or any dental patient, it is important for the dentist to be informed of any additional medications the patient is currently taking to avoid harmful drug interactions.

In many cases the patient will not have any memory of the treatment, which makes sedation dentistry a popular choice for special needs patients.

If you are concerned about the dental health of a loved one with special needs, consult with a trained sleep dentist to discuss the options of sedation dentistry. Please visit Dr. Alhadef's website to learn more about his practice.

Source: Dr. Gary E. Alhadef, DDS
Website: http://www.dallascosmeticdental.com

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