What would help first of all is even before the appointment, take him to see the place, meet the people and see what happens. If you need to get your teeth clean, have him watch.
Also, inform the dentist about your son and the fact he cannot sit still. They should have something to help him open his mouth.
Promise him if he behaves, that he will be able to get a special treat.
If he is sensitive to loud noises or sights, get ear plugs or sunglasses.
Defiantly go to a ped dentist, that will help.
I hope this helps, good luck!

My brother is autistic and until he was 20-something, he had to be put to sleep for every cleaning, filling, etc. I'm seriously consider asking your doctor to prescribe something to help him relax. Personally, I HATE the dentist and would love to just be put to sleep every time, so maybe I'm biased.

Hi! Thank you for replying to my "all or nothing" post. I'm taking it slow and we'll see how it goes. As for your question about the dentist, I am in the same boat! Noah is 3 and I really think we might need to make him sleep. He is terrified of the Doctor and we have 3 people hold him down when we have to check his ears. It breaks my heart. Good luck and let me know how it goes!:)

I have taken both my boys to the dentist and my older son initially was afraid now he loves the dentist. My little guy thats another story. The dentist that I have chosen is a special needs dentist he sees children on the spectrum. I would look for a special needs dentist. My dentist does not believe in sedation. He has what he calls a little papos. Its this thing, well how can I describe it. Its a long board and it has like a blanket around it with velcro and he wrapps it around the children so they can't go anyplace. I know it sounds terrible but it ensures that they can't move around. He also has these little rubber like blocks he puts in there mouth to keep it open ( I remember them when I was little) I also leave the room and sit in the waiting room. It is easier on them and you. Good luck!!! I know its hard, probrably harder on you then the little guy. Hugs Denies

One more thing I forot to add I also got a book about the dentist and we read the book a lot before the visit. Also there is an Elmo video about going to the dentist that helped a lot. Good Luck

visiting the office is a good idea but you might also want to do a play visit at home.
take headphones for your child and let the staff know that your child has autism...you may have to go back and sit by your child for the first cleaning...some office will let you hold your child..never hurts to ask...and by all means find a good pediatric or family dentist.....and don't forget your sense of humor...children can surprise you.

I actually work for a dentist and bring both my kids in who are ASD (one is my stepdaughter) but we came in three times before a real cleaning, but once they were here is was easy! I would say check out the dentist, ask if they have worked with ASD children before, what his background is with kids and match the dentist with your child, I know I did with my kids, two dentist before couldn't handle them! Now they love coming in and brushing! Also a little salt on the tongue helps when they get xrays if they have gag reflex!:o)

We found a pediatric dentist who had a DVD player mounted from his ceiling so the patients could watch a movie during the visit. We could bring our own DVD or choose from his selection....I think it is important to talk to the hygienist ahead of time and let her know your child's particular sensory issues--since all of our kids are different. And, for my son, it is important for us to stop the cleaning when he says stop. We have learned to respect his communication and the hygienist has learned to work quick and to skip any unnecessary steps. Also, maybe see if the dentist would allow you to come in for several 5 minute visits instead of one long visit...to make it manageable and help your child see that it is not so bad....Good luck!

I work for a dentist and have a son on the spectrum the biggest thing that has worked with my son is the dentist and the Hygenist need to talk to him and let him know what they are doing. this was a problem at the orthodontist they wanted to hide every thing and not let him ask questions. when that happened he would freak out but one girl handed him a mirror to watch with and answers questions and lets him see the "tools" and he is fine with her and lets her do what is needed. I highly recommened a pediatric dentist also but if you can find one that dels with special needs that would be better. sedation doesn't work for all kids the first time my son was sedated there were two other children there at the same time getting the same med and they all reacted differently:) good luck

Tips:
1. The dentist uses the weighted vests over my legs to calm me and keep me from involuntarily moving.
2. Also, gustatory and tactile defensive reactions... Inserting tools or even looking in the mouth can cause gagging and sensation overload as well as involuntary hacking of spit.
3. Make sure the suction thing is there if giving a shot after a ton of numbing, the tiniest drop on the throat causing choaking and the involuntary hacking of spit. It is not on purpose...it is like a sneeze.

Also, sometimes a light sedative should help...(but be careful to try smaller doses first as autistic people have strong reactions)

Also, send this vid. to your dentist and also watch yourself... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=artQFqd6osQ&eurl=http://chat1autism.wetpaint.com/page/Doctors%2C+Dentists%2C+EMT%2C+hospitals%2C+Firefighters+and+autism...

Luv,
Kris

Going to the dentist with Matthew scares the crap outta me. I might just make my husband take him.

LOL

I'm going through the same thing right now! My son has not been to the dentist because of that, i mean he needs to get checked out and cleaned but there is no way in hell he is going to keep his mouth open for that long and let the dr. poke around in his mouth...so i'm with you totally! YEAH they need sleeping pills, LOL

We take our son to a pediatric dentist who specializes in children with special needs. He also takes NT children as well, but he is awesome with our son. Our first visit was to acclimate him to the office and staff. It included all the equipment. Because my son is so mechanical, they allowed him to move the seat up and down, as well as lean it back. He loved it. He also was able to touch and try out the equipment like the polisher, and the water squirter and sucker. This helped because he was able to get used to the sound and feel of the instruments. They too, have a TV in the office which plays movies like another parent mentioned.

We have shopped around and this one by far is the best! Our son can handle cleanings without any sedation, however we have chosen to use it when he needed some extensive dental work done. He did very well under it. We also used read books prior to our sons and daughters first visit to the dentists.

Good luck!

OK, I don't have time to read everyone's suggestions, but I can tell you Jonathan's story with his dentist (whom he now LOVES!)
We started taking him just before he turned 4, and he wouldn't have anything at all to do with anyone there. We went back, once a week, slowly getting him used to it. It takes alot of patience. He has to gain their trust. Also, be mindful of the light about the chair. Jonathan couldn't stand to have the light turned on, and his dentist was very understanding of this, so she began keeping a small pocket-sized flashlight in her pocket for him. This way, it didn't bother him at all!
Best of luck to you and your son, and stay relaxed- he'll pick up on your tension.

OOPS! It should say,"The light above the chair" not 'about' lol sorry about that!