Special Day Foundation

10/21/2026

Let's go over flossing techniques! Essentially the goal of flossing is to remove food and bacteria from in between the teeth, which is an area in the mouth that the toothbrush can not effectively reach. To be able to properly clean in between the teeth, aka the sides of the teeth, we need tools such as floss, floss picks or floss holders, etc.
The key thing to remember for flossing is that when using any tool, the sides of the teeth need to have manual contact with the flossing tool. You can do this by creating a C-shape with the flossing tool being used. This is done by pressing the floss on to one side of the tooth, then sliding it up and down and then pressing the floss on the other side of the tooth and sliding it up and down again. Never saw back and forth. This could damage the gums. See the picture below as an example of making a C-shape when flossing.

There are several flossing tools designed to help make flossing easier. One of those tools is called a Reach Access Flosser. If you are a caretaker looking to make flossing easier for yourself and your loved one check out the tool below. Found on Amazon or Walmart.

10/07/2026

Helping those with special needs to self-regulate can be done in a variety of ways. Self-regulation can increase the success of incorporating new activities into a routine or special event - such as visitng a dental office. See the video below developed by Amazing Sensory Designs to help promote self regulation.

Help students start their day with calm, focus, and emotional clari...

09/22/2026

DRY MOUTH –WHAT IS IT and HOW TO PREVENT IT

What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is a result of decreased saliva in the mouth. This will cause a person’s mouth to not feel moist often-experiencing stickiness of the mouth, trouble swallowing, burning sensation, cracked lips, mouth sores, reduced ability to swallow and taste things, metallic taste in the mouth and frequent bad breath.¹

What causes Dry Mouth?
Everyone has four sets of salivary glands in their mouth. Three of these produce the majority of the saliva needed for daily function. These glands if not functioning properly cause Xerostomia (dry mouth). There are three main factors that may cause persons with special needs to experience dry mouth regularly.²

• Medications
• Disease
• Smoking

Medications – This is the most frequent cause of dry mouth. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America states that there are over 400 over-the-counter and prescription medications that contribute to or worsen dry mouth. The most common of these medications has an anticholinergic property, i.e. antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensive, and antiseizures. Pain medications, decongestants, diuretics, muscle relaxants and antidepressants also have hyposalivation properties. Patients that take any combination of these drugs are likely to be at a higher risk for dry mouth.²

Disease – Sjorgren disease is the second most common connective tissue autoimmune disease. It is a systemic condition affecting any body organ or system but primarily affects the mouth and eyes causing dryness. Patients with other diseases; rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, hypertension and diabetes can occur in addition to Sjorgrens.²

Smoking – The use of ci******es, pipes and ci**rs are not necessarily direct reasons for dry mouth but can aggravate symptoms. Smoking slows down saliva production, mix this with alcohol and one has a concoction of dry mouth and bad breath.

Why is Dry Mouth damaging?
Cavities thrive in an acidic environment. Saliva is a natural PH balancer in our mouth so without it, the acidity level increases. Making cavities more common. Patients with dry mouth may often get painful mouth sores in and outside of their mouth.² Keeping up with oral home care also becomes difficult. In a dry mouth environment, plaque becomes very sticky and difficult to remove; this can cause gingivitis and possibly eventually periodontitis.

How to prevent/help Dry Mouth?
• Sip water often throughout the day.
• Chew sugar free gum or suck on sugar free candy.
• Use dry mouth products such as Biotene rinse or ACT rinse. As well, use a fluoride toothpaste to help with remineralization of the teeth.
• If smoking, STOP!
• Avoid, salty, spicy, sticky and sugary foods.
• Maintain regular dental visits and excellent oral home care.

Created by Whitney Haley, BASDH

1. What is Dry Mouth?. (2010). http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/dry-mouth/article/what-is-dry-mouth
2. Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). (2016). http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/xerostomia

This page presents a summary of information on xerostomia (the subjective sensation of dry mouth), which is a common complaint among dental patients, particularly older individuals. This page also features a report from the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs on the clinical characteristics and manage...

09/09/2026

Social stories are a great way to introduce your loved to a new activity. Thanks to our friends at CARD-USF the St. UF Health St. Petersburg Dental Center has their very own custom made social story that can be viewed prior to dental visits. Scan the QR code below.

08/26/2026

WHY WE CAN’T JUST "PULL ALL THE TEETH OUT"

As a caregiver, you play an important role in maintaining the oral health of your patient’s. Getting staff and patients involved with routine home care is not an easy task, and brushing and flossing someone else’s teeth can be just as difficult. However, what if I told you HELP is available! That is right; there are trained professionals ready and willing to help maintain your patient’s oral health. Routine dental checkups with a dentist and dental hygienist can assist in keeping dental frustrations and concerns under control.

Regular dental visits are important because this helps with maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A dentist should be seen two times a year and regular cleanings completed, at minimum, every 3-4 months. Some special needs patients may require cleanings more often, such as every 1-2 months.

Often times caretakers ask, “Why can’t we just pull all the teeth out and give them dentures?” This may seem like an easy solution in avoiding dental concerns; i.e. no more cavities, no more root canals, no crowns or bridges and no more dealing with insurance. Nevertheless, simply put there is no substitute for your natural teeth. Natural teeth help us chew and digest food, help us talk and pronounce sounds clearly, and natural teeth help give our face shape¹. To just “replace them” downgrades the significant change a patient goes through when dentures are placed into a treatment plan.

Let us look at some paralleled differences between dentures and natural teeth.

 Bite force with natural teeth: 200-250 lbs
Bite force with dentures: 50lbs²
This is a significant difference, think eating steak versus eating oatmeal².

 Natural teeth are set solidly in our jawbone, rigid and strong.
 Dentures REST on our gums, set by a gel or paste².
This is the difference between having confidence in blowing out the birthday candles and being worried I may blow the teeth out of my mouth.

 Natural teeth = full use of taste buds
 Dentures = taste bud coverage²
We not only have tastes buds on our tongue, but on the top of our mouth too. An upper denture would cover these taste buds making food loose its luster².

 When going out to eat or even eating at home, natural teeth allow us to choose anything we want.
 When going out to eat or even eating at home, dentures make the menu a list of what we cannot have³.
Natural teeth provide dental function. Dentures provide a plastic prosthesis that make it difficult to bite and chew foods we would normally enjoy³.

Dentures are designed to provide a cosmetic, prosthetic stand in for natural teeth. Usually remade every 3-5 years due to bone loss that takes place in the jaw from lack of bone stimulation natural teeth provide. There is no amount of money that can restore the dental function and appearance of natural teeth³.

Utilize the help around you! Trying to maintain proper oral health for your patient’s can be overwhelming. However, the dental professionals nearby are there to help sustain that smile, and with natural teeth too.

Created by Whitney Haley, BASDH

¹Caring for my teeth. | Oral Health Foundation. https://www.dentalhealth.org/caring-for-my-teeth.
²Think dentures can replace your teeth? Think again. | Life. (2011). https://www.huffpost.com/entry/natural-teeth-vs-dentures_n_996228
Think life will be better if you just pull all your teeth and get dentures? Think again! | Texas Wisdom Teeth, Dental Implants. (2013). https://www.texaswisdom.com/blog/2013/12/think-life-will-better-just-pull-teeth-get-dentures-think/

Do you think dentures will solve your dental problems? It is not likely- dentures often just create a brand new set of problems. Advice from an oral surgeon.

08/05/2026

As a new school year is kicking off so is a new year for the Special Day Foundation dental program. All three locations are currently accepting applications. As a reminder the dental program acts as a referral source to three University of Florida College of Dentistry locations through out the state.

Here is our website with application information.

https://specialdayfoundation.com/

P.S. - We also have a fishing program!

Special Day Foundation provides services for children and adults with special needs in Bradenton, Sarasota, and the State of Florida

07/20/2026

In case you missed it, here is a link to the newest Newsletter! This newsletter summarizes all the accomplishments throughout our three programs in the state for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The new fiscal year has began, some locations are still accepting applications. Check out our website on how to apply.

Email from Special Day Foundation Issue 27     NEWSLETTER Dear SDF Supporter, "A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is brok

06/23/2026

Another happy and excited patient visiting the UF Health St. Petersburg Dental Center for a cleaning.

06/08/2026

A visit that started stressful for the patient (and hygienist) ended successfully and with happiness instead. Thanks to the recently added sensory integration of a simple light projector.

05/29/2026

Check out this fun toothbrush song. Playing music when brushing helps with motivation as well as knowing how long you are brushing for. Try playing a song like this to encourage toothbrushing and letting everyone in the house know that it's time to brush their teeth!

Add some musical fun to your daily routine!🌟Subscribe now and never miss a video from Little Baby Bum ►https://www.youtube.com/user/LittleBabyBum?sub_confir...