Keeping teeth clean in children with ADHD can be more challenging because they have trouble concentrating, are impulsive or very active, and are sometimes more sensitive to tastes, textures, or noises, or have coordination issues. To help them maintain good oral hygiene, it’s helpful to follow routines and other tips that encourage them to be consistent.

How ADHD Affects Oral Health

Attention attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder whose symptoms typically include difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and motor or mental hyperactivity. These characteristics can make it harder for some children to follow certain daily routines, such as getting dressed on their own or maintaining good hygiene habits. 

1. Difficulty completing tasks

In many children with ADHD, the executive functions—mental skills that enable planning and completing tasks—are often impaired. For this reason, it’s common for them to forget to brush their teeth, brush too quickly, or lose focus while doing so. It’s not that they “don’t want to,” but rather that they struggle to concentrate on tasks that require persistence. 

Scientific literature confirms that children with ADHD have a higher risk of cavities and more dental trauma.

2. Sensory sensitivity

Some children with this diagnosis may also be more sensitive to various sensory stimuli. This can lead to aversion to the taste of toothpaste, the texture of the toothbrush, or the noise made by electric toothbrushes. Even the foam or the simple sensation of having the toothbrush in their mouth can be uncomfortable.

When this happens, they’re more likely to avoid brushing, put it off, or rush through it. Since they don’t spend enough time on it, their teeth don’t get clean; that’s why it’s recommended to try toothpastes with soft flavor, such as FluorKIN Calcium. 

3. Coordination difficulties

Some children with ADHD have difficulties with fine motor skills—that is, with the precise movements of the hands and fingers. As a result, brushing tends to be less thorough, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the molars and the back of the mouth, where plaque tends to accumulate.

Quick or clumsy movements can lead to frustration or a loss of interest, so it is essential that parents supervise their children’s oral hygiene. 

The Most Common Oral Health Problems in Children with ADHD

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is one of the most common problems in childhood, and children with ADHD may be at greater risk due to irregular or incomplete brushing we mentioned earlier.

2. Gum problems

The build-up of bacterial plaque irritates the gums, causing them to swell and bleed when you brush or floss. If left untreated, this can lead to gingivitis, which can in turn progress to more serious periodontal complications that affect both the bone and the tissues supporting your teeth. 

3. Dental trauma

The hyperactivity and impulsivity characteristic of ADHD increase the risk of falls, making children more likely to suffer dental injuries such as displacements or fractures. It is important to pay attention and see a dentist if they receive any blow to the teeth, even if it does not seem serious at first. 

4. Bruxism and tooth wear

Some children with ADHD clench or grind their teeth while sleeping or in stressful situations. Most of the time, parents don’t notice until they hear the noise or their dentist sees the wear it causes on the teeth. Other symptoms of bruxism include jaw pain or tension and tooth sensitivity to hot or cold.

How to Improve Oral Hygiene in People with ADHD

1. Establish predictable routines

Children with ADHD respond better to structured routines. For example, it is very helpful to get them into the habit of always brushing their teeth at the same time, pairing brushing with another activity, and following the same order every day. By being consistent, their oral hygiene routine will become an automatic habit over time. 

2. Use visual aids

Use calendars or charts as a reward system where they can mark each time they brush their teeth really helps children with ADHD stay organized and remember what they need to do. These visual aids make the routine easier to follow, regardless of their age, and motivate them by letting them see their progress.

3. Break the task down into steps 

For children with attention difficulties, it’s a good idea to break the routine down into several steps, such as: putting toothpaste on the toothbrush; brushing the top teeth; brushing the bottom teeth; brushing the molars; and rinsing the mouth. This way, it reduces the cognitive load. They’ll see each task more clearly and won’t feel overwhelmed trying to remember everything.

4. Active monitoring

In general, while it’s already important for parents to supervise their children’s oral hygiene routine, this is even more crucial in cases of ADHD. You need to make sure they’ve used all the products appropriate for their age and that they have taken the time to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas. Brushing with them reinforces the habit.

5. Make it fun

Kids are more eager to do anything that’s fun—and brushing their teeth can be fun, too. You can play them a fun two-minute song, tell them a story during that time, or make up a game related to teeth. The gamification makes a repetitive task more motivating.