{"id":501,"date":"2026-05-14T15:24:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/?p=501"},"modified":"2026-05-14T15:24:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:24:33","slug":"dental-visits-children-with-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/14\/dental-visits-children-with-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Dental Visits Easier for Children with Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-300x200.png\" alt=\"Two children playing with puzzle pieces in a dental office\u2019s waiting room\" class=\"wp-image-502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png 534w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many children on the autism spectrum find visiting the dentist overwhelming. There can be a lot of visual and auditory noise going on at once, and having a stranger examine and touch their teeth isn\u2019t necessarily something they experience every day. No one wants to put their child through something that\u2019s scary to them, but at the same time, regular checkups and cleanings are really important for your child\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, pediatric dentists are often trained on how to make dental care more comfortable for children with special needs. By taking things slow and working closely with your pediatric dentist, you can help your child have a positive visit. Here\u2019s what experts recommend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practice Oral Hygiene at Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Practicing oral hygiene at home can both help your child grow accustomed to having their teeth cleaned and protect their smile from cavities. Try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Building a routine around brushing and flossing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking turns \u2013 let your child brush their own teeth, then \u201ctake a turn\u201d brushing for them. This can foster familiarity with unique sensations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paying close attention to what your child likes and doesn\u2019t like. Maybe they like the vibration of an electric toothbrush \u2013 or maybe they don\u2019t. Buying dental care products that feel comfortable to them is key for creating a positive experience!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Schedule an Office Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your child gets overwhelmed with new environments, scheduling a tour of the dental practice <em>before <\/em>they undergo any type of treatment can be a huge help. You may even want to arrange for multiple tours so your child can become more familiar with the space. Your pediatric dentist will be happy to show them around, introduce them to the team, or even explain how different instruments and technologies are used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go One Step at a Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You (and your child) might be relieved to know that you don\u2019t have to do everything all at once. You could, for example, center your child\u2019s first appointment entirely around letting them get used to the patient\u2019s chair. No poking or prodding required! They can simply see what it\u2019s like to be in the chair when it moves. This way, your child doesn\u2019t have to process so much new information in just one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider Dental Sedation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is generally best to avoid dental sedation when possible. Not because it isn\u2019t safe \u2013 but because experiencing different ways they can be accommodated can help your child develop positive coping mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/sedation-dentistry.html\">dental sedation<\/a> is a viable option, and is beneficial for many children with autism. It\u2019s worth considering, and you\u2019re always welcome to consult with your pediatric dentist about the best way to support your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/layne-benzley-dds.html\">Dr. Layne Benzley<\/a> and <a href=\"Alex%20Sherman\">Dr. Alex Sherman<\/a> are your board-certified pediatric dentists in Castle Rock. They\u2019re happy to support children with a variety of needs, and maintain a kid-friendly environment to help everyone feel welcome and at-home in their office. The separate treatment rooms and ceiling-mounted TVs can be particularly beneficial for children with autism, and they also provide dental sedation for those who need it. To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/contact-our-office.html\">contact<\/a> Dr. Benzley and Dr. Sherman\u2019s office for a tour or consultation, call 303-660-5373.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many children on the autism spectrum find visiting the dentist overwhelming. There can be a lot of visual and auditory noise going on at once, and having a stranger examine and touch their teeth isn\u2019t necessarily something they experience every day. No one wants to put their child through something that\u2019s scary to them, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Making Dental Visits Easier for Children with Autism | Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For some children with autism, visiting the dentist can be overwhelming. 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