Dental health for those with a disability

Have you ever forgotten to, you know, brush your teeth? Yeah, us too. 

Nobody’s perfect, and some people really don’t like doing it while others just don’t realise the importance of it. But, dental health is critical for your overall well being and, well, your health. 

There are reasons why those with a disability might:

1. Struggle to commit to brushing their teeth
2. Not understand the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day
3. Be more vulnerable to risks associated with poor dental hygiene

So, let’s find out how best to support those with a disability to improve their dental health. It’s not just about those pearly whites, you know. 

Access to health services

With around 18% people in Australia having a diagnosed disability, it’s extremely important to consider the fact that access to important life services isn’t the same for everyone.

Something many of us refer to as ‘adulting’ might include organising doctor’s appointments or dentist appointments. It’s something many of us put off; an expense we might not prioritise or an activity that’s low on the fun list.  And those dealing with physical, developmental or psychological impairments can find it even harder to navigate the health system due to many barriers of access.

Barriers of access could include:

• Communication issues such as needing to speak in sign language or requiring support to communicate your health to a healthcare worker
• Long waiting times
• Sensory issues such as loud music, bright lights or too many people in the one space
• The cost of services
• Building access i.e. wheelchair ramps

For the public dental waiting list, the list is long. Too long to even remember you have your name on it! 1 in 8 people with a disability (under the age of 65) are on a waitlist. 

Those living in remote areas such as the Kimberley have been affected greatly by this as there are limited resources for everyone, not just those with a disability. 

Higher risk of oral diseases

There’s an increased chance of oral diseases for those with certain impairments (short-term or long-term). 

For example: 

• People with chronic diseases
• People living with mental health issues
• Those with physical, developmental or psychological disabilities 
• Complex medical conditions
• Elderly people

And other issues include tooth decay, gum inflammation, ulcerations and infections in the mouth.  Worst case scenarios are the loss of teeth, necessary avoidance of certain foods, pain, hospitalisation and illness. 

This is due to a number of reasons such as medications causing dry mouth (increasing the chances of tooth decay) but it’s also due to the limited number of health professionals being trained in disability-care.

Impairments can affect an individual’s earning capacity, too, so if they’re not earning enough to afford dental care, then an issue can go ignored for too long. Poor nutrition and poor self-hygiene also impact your oral health greatly. 

Dysphagia and oral health 

People with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing or chewing) need to practise excellent oral hygiene as they are at a higher risk of infection. Food can get stuck in the mouth if they’re on a soft diet. 

Dysphagia can be quite common for those with physical disabilities that weaken the muscles or nervous system. 

Autism and oral health 

Those diagnosed with a spectrum disorder such as autism might find a visit to the dentist extremely stressful and uncomfortable.

Sensory issues, anxiety and going somewhere new with many people can be very triggering. It’s therefore incredibly important for dentists to understand this, and open up dental times that would be quieter with more time booked to allow for someone to feel more comfortable. 

How can we work on our oral health?

If you have an impairment that might affect your oral health, there are things you can do each day to boost your dental hygiene and avoid the dentist, or worse, hospital without impacting your health or wellbeing. 

Oral health isn’t just about the teeth, it’s about your lips, cheeks and gums, too. So, focus on:

1. Stopping smoking
2. Reducing sugar intake
3. Drinking a lot of water
4. Flossing daily 
5. Healthy and balanced diet 
6. Brushing morning and night
7. Fluoride toothpaste

Supporting those with a disability 

If you have a diagnosis that might affect your oral health or ability to manage your health, then there are things you can do to prevent a drastic decline in your overall health. 

Try: 

• Find affordable dental health options 
• Research accessible providers who will support those with a disability i.e. with physical support into the dental practice or sensory alterations (dim lights) to make the appointment more comfortable 
• Take time to prepare for your visit to the dentist perhaps with a social story or a few trial runs 

Final Toughts 

Staying on top of your health isn’t easy, and we understand it’s even harder to navigate the healthcare system as someone with a disability. 

At Kimberley Care Group, we support our clients through encouraging healthy practices in their life to avoid any intense pain or infections. But it’s also important to find resources that are affordable – or free – and accessible to all so that it isn’t hard to prioritise their health. 

If you want a toothy smile, then follow our tips above and remember to floss!

Follow us on Instagram if you’d like to stay up to date on what we’re up to. 

References: 

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/priority-populations/people-with-additional-and/or-specialised-health-care-needs

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysphagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20372028

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/dysphagia#:~:text=Dysphagia%20has%20many%20possible%20causes,disease%2C%20often%20have%20problems%20swallowing.