Cerebral palsy dentistry · St. Louis
Cerebral Palsy Dentist in St. Louis
Many symptoms of cerebral palsy can put patients at greater risk of dental problems, and a traditional dental setting is not always built for their care. The Dental Anesthesia Center provides complete dental care under sedation or general anesthesia in a calm, accessible office in Clayton.
Our doctors are dentist anesthesiologists, and cerebral palsy care is part of our broader special needs dentistry. With regular checkups and the right support, patients with cerebral palsy can maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Oral health and cerebral palsy
Why oral health needs extra attention
Cerebral palsy itself does not cause oral abnormalities. Several of its symptoms, however, can raise the risk of dental problems.
Many patients with cerebral palsy experience gastrointestinal reflux, which exposes teeth to stomach acid. Some have more difficulty with drooling, and some take medications with a high sugar content. Combined, these factors put many patients at greater risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Other common challenges include:
- Lack of control when brushing or flossing teeth
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Excessive gagging
- Misaligned upper and lower teeth
- Lip, tongue, and cheek biting
- Gingivitis, often a side effect of seizure medications
Many patients with cerebral palsy, especially young children, have trouble cleaning their teeth independently because it is difficult to relax the jaw muscles. Mouth and tongue sensitivity can make brushing harder still.
How we help
Dental treatment built around each patient
Families are sometimes hesitant to schedule a visit for fear it might go poorly. Our office and our team are set up so it does not have to.
Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Thoms have years of experience caring for patients with cerebral palsy, from routine checkups to complete treatment under general anesthesia. Families who visit us can expect:
- An office compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, able to accommodate wheelchairs of all sizes
- A team trained to monitor breathing closely, which matters for patients who may have difficulty communicating pain or discomfort
- Clear, friendly communication, including nonverbal communication when needed
- Sedation and general anesthesia in our office, so treatment that would be difficult in a traditional setting can often be completed in a single visit
Between visits
At-home oral care
Beyond regular checkups, a simple home routine makes a real difference for you or your loved one.
- Choose a toothbrush and floss that are easy to use. An electric toothbrush and floss picks can help when grip or control is limited.
- Use a toothpaste made for sensitive gums and teeth.
- Keep up regular dental checkups so small problems are caught early.
Academic partnerships
Where other dentists come to learn.
Our doctors train other doctors. Residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our Clayton office to learn sedation and anesthesia care.
Residency rotation
Saint Louis University
Center for Advanced Dental Education
Graduate periodontics residents from SLU rotate through our office for a month of hands-on sedation training with our doctors.
Residency program
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
We partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program, helping train the next generation of dentist anesthesiologists.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from patients, parents, and caregivers. If yours is not here, call us. We are happy to talk it through.
Why are patients with cerebral palsy at greater risk for dental problems?
Gastrointestinal reflux, drooling, medications with high sugar content, and difficulty brushing independently can all raise the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Regular checkups and a simple home routine go a long way toward keeping teeth and gums healthy.
Can your office accommodate a wheelchair?
Yes. Our office is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and we can accommodate patients with wheelchairs of all sizes.
What if my loved one cannot sit through treatment?
Every procedure we provide can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia, so care that would be difficult in a traditional setting can often be completed comfortably in a single visit. The right option depends on the patient’s needs, medical history, and the treatment planned.
Schedule a first visit built around comfort
It is easy to put off dental care when you worry about how a visit will go. Our team will listen, answer your questions, and plan the visit around you or your loved one. We are happy to discuss insurance and financing options for your care.