dyspraxis/hyper sensitivity issues and braces

[mrswoodentop]

My ds2 (14 ) is dyspraxic,and has sensitivity issues ,cannot cope with discomfort etc.Also has SALT ,mostly for language but also for indistinct speech,feel we have only just got over the issues after second teeth comming in.Anyway,I can put it off no longer ,he has an overbite and spacing issues and our very kind dentist is adament that he needs orthodontic treatment.

I cannot imagine how he is going to cope with this;the discomfort of having something alien in his mouth (we already have an issue with an overlarge tongue and low muscle tone resulting in untidy eating,although he seems to have grown into his tongue),the pain ,the speech issues etc.Has anyone else been through this?I am worrying myself sick about it.

Sorry have no real advice but do have a dyspraxic son, try to not worry too much and I hope it works out ok. I am sure someone will come along with some advice

Hi
I also worried myself silly although mine is less sensitive to pain than yours by the sound of it but is also very very dyspraxic, speech and ASD. Anyhoo. All was well. It starts off with retainers which they have to wear all the time apart from eating and sport. When they were first in he had trouble talking for a couple of days and there was a bit of drool and spit going on but it passed and most of the time you didn't know they were in. We did have a few social gaffs at dinner tables, restaurants, etc, with him taking them out, and we got through quite a few pots to put them in but he cleaned them and wore them religiously so much so that his jaw line changed in 6 months. The ortho couldn't believe it. He then went on to train tracks which again caused some discomfort for a couple of days and then fine. They do hurt a bit after they have been tightened. However, he couldn't manage the elastic band things between them and we had to give up on this so they did something with mini chains instead. That lasted about a year and he's had them off and back on to retainers but just at night. I dreaded it all but I have to say it has been worth it as he has a rather magnificent jaw line now and is distinctly gorgeous . A kid I teach is a somehwat precious chap with a complex range of difficulties but is a very hyper sensitive soul and he had a brace in. He has coped really well as well apart from a bit of moaning.

The one thing I would say that it is only worth doing if he is going to go all in - it won't work unless he wears the braces, etc. Most kids at his school will have some sort of brace in - it is very common. I would say - give it a go. Ride it out for a month and then if he is still very discomfited then call it a day - at least then you can say you tried.

Thank you so much that is so reassuring,I am really struggling with him at the moment ,very stubborn ,has an MA in ignoring IYSWIMthis just feels like another hurdle.He is at a specialist school and they are fantastic and I know will be supportive but sometimes I long for the days when he was little again (mind you he has always ignored me)

Me too. I also get ignored or it's just all treated as if I'm nagging, etc. It was particularly bad when he was 14 but has improved now he is 16. DS school also special also helped with the braces and I think the therapists talked him through it.

Hey there ladies! I have 13 yr old dyspraxic daughter and she has been really good with both the braces and her new glasses. They just surprise you sometimes! Please don't worry about it but do find a kind empathetic dentist who will give double appointment slots perhaps? Xx

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
As a child there is no huge cost involved - much better to try and resolve it now.
I have oral sensitivity - a wonderful gag reflex for food. I paid to have a gum shield made to stop teeth grinding. I have yet to pass the keeping it in my mouth for 5 minutes stage - let alone a whole night.
So go for it, you might be surprised.