World Oral Health Day
- NeuroEmpowered Leicester CIC
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
🦷🌟 World Oral Health Day 2025: Making Oral Care Accessible for Neurodivergent Individuals! 💙
At NeuroEmpowered Leicester CIC, we believe that good oral health is vital to overall well-being—but for many neurodivergent individuals, keeping up with oral hygiene can be a real challenge. As we celebrate World Oral Health Day on March 20, 2025, we want to raise awareness about why dental care can be difficult for neurodivergent people and provide practical strategies to make oral care easier! 💙✨
🦷 Why Oral Health Matters
Oral health is about more than just a bright smile—it’s essential for overall health, confidence, and well-being. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to gum disease, cavities, chronic pain, and even increased risks of heart disease and diabetes.
For neurodivergent individuals, keeping up with oral care routines can be particularly challenging due to:
🔹 Sensory Sensitivities – The taste, texture, or foaming of toothpaste, the sound of electric toothbrushes, or even the feel of bristles can be overwhelming.
🔹 Executive Functioning Challenges – Remembering to brush, floss, or book dental appointments can be tough.
🔹 Motor Coordination Difficulties – Fine motor challenges can make brushing and flossing tricky.
🔹 Dental Anxiety & Past Trauma – A negative experience with a dentist can make future visits stressful or avoidable.
🔹 Hypersensitivity or Hyposensitivity to Pain – Some neurodivergent individuals may not recognise oral pain until a problem becomes serious.
🛠️ Simple Strategies to Improve Oral Health
The good news? Small, manageable changes can make a huge difference in maintaining oral hygiene. Here are some neurodivergent-friendly tips to help build a better routine:
🪥 Find the Right Tools – Try silicone toothbrushes, flavoured/non-foaming toothpaste, or a softer bristle brush to reduce sensory discomfort.
⏳ Make It Routine – Set phone reminders, use visual schedules, or tie brushing to another habit (like after breakfast and before bed) to build consistency.
🎵 Use Distractions – Play music, watch a short video, or use a fidget toy to make brushing more enjoyable.
🦷 Try Alternative Techniques – If traditional brushing is difficult, use floss picks, mouthwash, or water flossers as alternatives.
🏥 Find a Neurodivergent-Friendly Dentist – Look for dentists experienced with sensory needs who can provide a supportive experience.
🌟 Make It a Positive Experience – Reward yourself after brushing (stickers, treats, or small rewards) to reinforce the habit!
📝 Asking for Reasonable Adjustments at the Dentist
Did you know that you can request reasonable adjustments at your dental appointments? Under the Equality Act 2010, healthcare providers, including dentists, must make adjustments to support neurodivergent individuals. Some examples include:
🦷 Requesting a quiet waiting area or asking to wait outside until your appointment starts.🦷 Booking longer appointments to allow more time for breaks and explanations.
🦷 Bringing comfort items such as noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, or a fidget toy.
🦷 Requesting step-by-step explanations before and during treatment to reduce anxiety
🦷 Arranging for desensitization visits before the actual treatment.
If you’re unsure how to ask for adjustments, check out our Resource Guide on Requesting Reasonable Adjustments for step-by-step advice on advocating for yourself in healthcare settings.
📍 Where to Find More Support
🔹 Oral Health Foundation – www.dentalhealth.org offers expert tips and advice on dental care.
🔹 NHS Dental Care – www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists provides information on accessing dental services in the UK.
🔹 NeuroEmpowered Leicester CIC Resource Guides – Our Resource Guides offer step-by-step support tailored to neurodivergent individuals, including maintaining personal hygiene. and support with booking a dentist appointment.
🌍 Let’s Make Oral Health More Accessible!
This World Oral Health Day, let’s work towards making oral care easier, stress-free, and accessible for all! By understanding the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face and adopting practical, flexible solutions, we can build habits that lead to better dental health and overall well-being. 💙🦷✨
At NeuroEmpowered Leicester CIC, we’re here to support and empower the neurodivergent community—one smile at a time!
🔗 For more info on World Oral Health Day initiatives, visit www.worldoralhealthday.org.
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