Dental health is really important, but for #autistic people with #hypersensitivity, #DentalHygiene appointments can be absolutely dreadful.

However, they don't have to be! The key for me was to explicitly communicate my situation and #ask for accommodations, additionally to the preparations I already do for myself.

So here's what I recommend asking for:

- close windows (helps avoid sensory overstimulation)
- apply a numbing cream to the gums before starting treatment (in my case we normally apply it twice, 1x for the upper and 1x for the lower half of teeth, to make sure the effect doesn't end too early)
- apply Vaseline on lips after every rinse (the whole fiddling around my mouth hurts a lot less with that additional protection)
- clean everything by hand, no ultrasonic cleaning, no suction device (that was an absolute game changer for me!)
- agree on a sign to stop if something hurts, e.g. raising your hand

You, as the customer, absolutely have the right to ask for all these, so don't be shy. Some of them mean additional effort to the dental hygienist, but nevertheless you deserve your experience to be as pleasant as possible.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism @ActuallyAutistic group