Some children with Joubert Syndrome may have a dislike to tooth brushing because of their sensory issues, this can cause difficulties in maintaining good dental health.

If your child has oral sensitivities it would be wise to talk to your Speech Therapist about ways to reduce sensitivities in and around the mouth.

Therapy and the use of a NUK brush and or a vibrating tooth brush has proved beneficial for some children.

A vibrating tooth brush is an inexpensive item that can be easily purchased from your local chemist.

A Speech & Language therapist should be able to obtain and advise you on how to use a NUK brush.

Below is some general information on oral hygiene, different types of tooth brushes, Primary Care Trust Dental Services and preventative measures.

Preventative Measures

Fissure Sealants act as a barrier to protect the teeth against decay. This is a plastic coating which can be applied soon after teeth come through, it is usually applied to the chewing surface of back teeth.

There are sealants for baby teeth that can be applied with no sedation, they are painted on and dry very quickly.

Second teeth can also have sealants applied but if your child is uncooperative with the dentist you may require sedation for the procedure.

For more information on sealants please consult with your dentist.

Primary Care Trust Dental Service

Your 'Primary Care Trust Dental Service' treats patients with special needs who may have difficulty in obtaining treatment in a general dental practice or who would not otherwise seek treatment. The Primary Care Trust Dental Service also monitors the dental health of the local population and provides dental health education and preventive programmes. Primary Care Trust Dental Service officers also visit schools to carry out dental inspections of children.

When do teeth come in?

The first teeth usually appear around six months old, but they can begin to come through as early as three months or as late as one year.

6 months - first incisors (front teeth)
7 months - second incisors
12 months - first molars
18 months - canines (eye teeth)
2 - 3 years - second molars

Oral Hygiene Hints and Tips

Oral Hygiene Advice

Start brushing as soon as the first teeth appear.
Brush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
Spit out after brushing, there is no need to rinse, try not to swallow any excess toothpaste.

Diet Advice

Limit all sweetened foods and drinks to mealtimes only.
Plain milk and water are the only safe drinks for teeth.
If you do offer any form of flavored drink please limit to mealtimes.

Overcoming brushing problems

There are many different ways to improve oral hygiene. Using different brushing techniques and the use of specialist brushes can help.

Brushing may sometimes be easier if it is done away from the sink, try using a chair with the parent or carer stood behind or try sitting on the floor with the child between your legs with their head resting against you for support.

Some people experience bleeding gums when brushing, if this is a problem just remember to keep brushing gently but more thoroughly and the problem should  ease over the following weeks, if not consult your dentist.

There are small selections of specialist brushes available, see pictures below.

	Finger Brush and Super Brush		Alternative Finger Brush
	Super Brush	JSUK would like to thank,	The Pontefract Dental Clinic Trinity Street Pontefract for their advice and guidance.