👤 Who this is for
People with learning disabilities
People with autism, ADHD, or anxiety
Care staff, families, and support workers
Dentists and dental teams
📊 PART 1: POWERPOINT OUTLINE (TRAINING SLIDES)
Slide 1: Title
Caring for Your Teeth 🦷
Slide 2: Why Teeth Care Matters
Healthy teeth help you eat and speak
Prevent pain and infections
Supports confidence and wellbeing
Slide 3: Daily Teeth Routine
Brush 2 times a day
Use toothpaste
Clean between teeth (floss/interdental brushes)
Slide 4: How to Brush
Gentle circular motions
Brush all areas:
Front
Back
Top (chewing surfaces)
Brush for 2 minutes
Slide 5: Tools to Help
Electric toothbrush
Large-handled toothbrush
Flavoured toothpaste
Timer or song for 2 minutes
Slide 6: Difficulties & Adjustments
Sensory issues? Try softer brushes
Anxiety? Use step-by-step support
Physical difficulties? Caregiver assistance
Slide 7: Diet & Teeth
Sugar can cause tooth decay
Drink water regularly
Limit sugary snacks and drinks
Slide 8: Visiting the Dentist
Visit every 6 months
Dentists check teeth and gums
Tell the dentist about any pain or worries
Slide 9: Supporting Vulnerable Patients (FOR DENTISTS)
Use simple language
Show, don’t just tell (demonstrate brushing)
Be patient and calm
Use visuals and pictures
Break tasks into small steps
Slide 10: Communication Tips
Speak slowly and clearly
Use Easy Read words
Check understanding
Ask: “Can you show me?”
Slide 11: Teaching Through Demonstration (NEW)
Dentists can use Easy Read instructions
Dentists can demonstrate brushing step-by-step
Patients can watch and copy
Use models or your own teeth to show how to brush
This helps people learn by seeing and doing
Slide 12: Summary
Brush twice daily
Eat less sugar
Visit dentist regularly
Ask for help if needed
📄 PART 2: EASY READ LEAFLET
🦷 Caring for Your Teeth
Why this is important
Clean teeth stop pain
Clean teeth stop infections
What to do
Brush your teeth 2 times a day
Use toothpaste
Brush for 2 minutes
Clean between your teeth
Helpful tips
Use a soft toothbrush
Try an electric toothbrush
Use a timer or music
Drink water after eating
When to get help
If your teeth hurt
If your gums bleed
If brushing is hard
👉 Ask a dentist or support worker for help
📝 PART 3: EASY READ WORKSHEET
🦷 My Teeth Care Plan
1. I will brush my teeth:
☐ Morning
☐ Night
2. I will brush for:
☐ 2 minutes
3. I will use:
☐ Toothbrush
☐ Toothpaste
☐ Floss / interdental brush
4. Things that help me:
5. My support person is:
👩⚕️ PART 4: GUIDE FOR DENTISTS & PROFESSIONALS
Supporting Patients with Disabilities
Key Principles
Treat each person as an individual
Be patient and respectful
Use Easy Read communication
Communication
Use simple words
Use pictures and demonstrations
Give instructions one step at a time
Behaviour & Anxiety Support
Keep routines consistent
Allow extra time
Reduce sensory overload (lights, noise)
Teaching Teeth Cleaning
Demonstrate brushing on a model or your own teeth
Ask the patient to copy
Guide gently if needed
Sensory Considerations
Some people may not like:
Taste of toothpaste
Feel of a toothbrush
Offer alternatives:
Different textures
Different flavours
Encouragement
Praise progress
Focus on strengths
Build confidence over time
💡 FINAL MESSAGE
Good dental care is for everyone.
With the right support:
People can learn to brush their teeth
Confidence can grow
Health can improve
(End of Training Pack)
1) Medication and gums
As you mentioned, some epilepsy medications can affect the gums. Over time, this can:
- make gums feel swollen or softer
- make it easier for plaque to build up
- increase the risk of gum disease (periodontal disease)
So yes—your medication history could be one contributing factor.
2) Reduced dental care during COVID
During COVID, many routine appointments in the UK (and elsewhere) were:
- delayed
- cancelled
- or reduced to emergencies only
That meant people missed:
- regular check-ups
- professional cleaning (hygiene visits)
- early treatment of small problems
This is a well-known reason why gum disease and dental issues increased during that time. So your experience fits with what happened more widely.
What’s important now
The good news is that gum disease can often be managed or improved, especially if caught and supported early.
Things that can help:
- Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between teeth (floss, interdental brushes, or water flosser)
- Regular dental and hygienist visits
-
Asking your dentist to:
- check your brushing technique
- monitor your gums closely
- consider your medical history and medication
A key point (and you’ve picked up on it already)
It’s rarely just one cause. In your case, it’s very reasonable that it could be a combination of:
- medication effects
- missed appointments during COVID
- normal plaque buildup over time
- and possibly brushing technique not being fully supported or shown earlier
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