Oral Hygiene Practice and Dental Status of Autistic Children

Background: The worldwide incidence of oral health among the autistic children has been found to be poor
for various reasons. Risk of dental caries and gingivitis is expected to be higher in these patients due to
improper brushing and flossing because of the difficulties of the trainers and parents encounter when they
brush the children’s’ teeth. They tend to pouch food inside the mouth instead of swallowing it due to poor
tongue coordination, thereby increasing the susceptibility to caries. Communication and behavioural
problems pose the most significant challenges in providing oral care.

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