Should I Try to Get My Down Syndrome Son Braces?

I have a son with Down Syndrome. Things are more scary for him than other children. We’ve tried a dentist a few times. None of them have gone well unless we used some type of sedation. His teeth are out of alignment. When I asked my dentist about getting him braces, he said there really wasn’t a point. I’m not sure what he meant by that and I’m trying not to think about the most offensive possibilities. However, I know what it is like to have a bite that is off. When I was a teenager, I had jaw aches and head aches until my teeth were fixed. I don’t want my son to go through the same thing. Is there some type of process for treating a child with Down Syndrome who needs braces?

Cathey

Dear Cathey,

I’m not sure what your dentist meant by there is no point. In fact, a healthy bite is very important. When you have a child that has Down Syndrome, the biggest issue would be sensitivity to his specific needs. Because of that, it is important that you see a dentist and orthodontist who are familiar with special needs care. For instance, some special needs children struggle with certain textures. While some can tolerate traditional braces, others may need a more creative solution or a different type of treatment altogether. There are many options for braces these days.

Special needs dentists will have some useful advice on how to make the transition of using a dentist or orthodontist less scary for your son. I would check out some of the advice that Dr. Tostado gives to patients in a situation like yours. There are some simple things that can be done ahead of time to make for a smoother transition.

This blog is brought to you by Bee Cave Orthodontist Dr. Alberto Tostado.