348 chapter 39
CARE OF THE TEETH AND GUMS
Many disabled children develop problems in their teeth and gums. There are many
reasons:
• In children who have poor mouth and tongue control, food often sticks to gums and teeth and
is not cleaned away by the natural movement of the tongue.
• Many disabled children (even those with no eating problems) are fed soft, sticky ‘baby foods’
long after they should be eating rougher, more solid ‘adult foods’. So, their gums get soft, weak,
and unhealthy.
• Sometimes children with disabilities are ‘spoiled’ by giving them extra sweets—which
increases tooth decay.
• Some medicines for seizures (epilepsy) cause swollen, unhealthy gums. (See p. 238.)
cp
• Dental care is more difficult in some disabled children—especially those with cerebral palsy. (In
some places, dentists refuse to care for these children.)
For these reasons, we must take care to keep the gums and teeth of the disabled child
healthy and clean.
STEPS IN CARING FOR GUMS AND TEETH:
1. Avoid foods and drinks with lots of sugar—especially between meals.
2. S tart child on solid food as early as he can take them. Toast, crackers, carrots, raw
fruit, and other foods that rub the teeth and gums clean are especially helpful.
3. Clean the child’s teeth and gums, if possible after every meal.
Before the baby has teeth, clean
his gums with a soft cloth over your
finger. First, dip the cloth in boiled
water with a little salt or baking soda
in it.
RIGHT
WRONG
After the child has teeth,
clean them with a small, soft
toothbrush. Or use a piece of
thick cloth or a bit of towel
wrapped on a stick.
Toothpaste is not necessary.
Instead you can use salt, salt mixed
with baking soda, or a burned and
powdered piece of bread, chapati,
or tortilla, or just water.
Clean all surfaces of the teeth
well, and also rub or brush the gums.
Or use a stick from a Neem
tree or other non-poisonous plant.
This is a good position
to clean the child’s teeth
and gums. Be sure the
head bends down.
If his head
bends up, he
will be more
likely to choke
or gag.
Sharpen one
end to form a
‘toothpick’.
Crush the
other end
to form a
‘brush’.
4. H elp the child learn to do whatever she can to
clean her own teeth and gums. At first you
can guide her hand, then have her do a little
more each time, and praise her when she does
it well.
The child will be
more likely to
clean her teeth
regularly if you
have a special
place, adapted
to her needs.
REMEMBER: Brushing the gums is just as important as brushing the teeth!
For more information, see Where There Is No Dentist, Chapter 5, “Taking Care of
Teeth and Gums” (see p. 637).
Disabled village Children