Why Optimal Oral Health Leads to Academic Success

Ensuring your child is fully equipped and ready for the start of a new school year is important. You want them to study hard, make good grades, and have an enjoyable time making memories with their friends and teachers. But did you know that many students who suffer poor oral health also struggle academically? A children’s dentist is here to explain why regular dental checkups and cleanings and maintaining positive dental habits can lead to educational success throughout the year.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Academic Success

If your child has a cavity, will they fail their upcoming math test? Not necessarily, however, it can put them at a disadvantage over other children who have healthy, cavity-free smiles. If this doesn’t make much sense, here is some information that can help to further clarify:

In an article published in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers state that after analyzing data compiled from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health for more than 40,000 children, more than one-quarter of kids have at least one oral health problem. Also, children with dental issues are more likely to miss school because of an illness or injury, forgo doing homework, and have additional school-related problems.

The Office of the Surgeon General remarks that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year because children are dealing with dental issues. Whether it is a cavity, chipped tooth, or serious toothache, the problems found inside a child’s oral cavity can negatively impact their ability to succeed academically.

Ways to Protect Their Smile Throughout the School Year

To minimize your child’s risk of developing oral health problems and to ensure they remain in school, there are things you can do to better prepare them for the new year, such as:

• Establish a morning and nighttime routine – By keeping them on track to brush, floss, and rinse regularly, this will ensure that bacteria and harmful particles cannot burrow into the crevices of their smile and cause decay or gum disease.
• Make sure they’re eating healthy snacks/meals – While kids are notorious for swapping snacks with friends at school, it’s best to always pack healthy, nutritious foods to keep their gums healthy and teeth strong. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, dairy, and leafy greens are great ways to better protect their smile.
• Schedule a back-to-school dental appointment – It’s imperative that you schedule a back-to-school dental checkup and cleaning for your child. Their pediatric dentist will help make sure no problems exist and their smiles are ready to help them learn throughout the school year.

Make sure your child is ready for school this coming year. By helping them take better care of their smile, they’ll spend less time in the dentist’s office and more time learning in the classroom.

About the Author
Dr. Allen Pearson opened Wylie Children’s Dentistry in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified pediatric dentist. He earned his dental degree from Creighton University School of Dentistry and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He then earned his Pediatric Dental Specialty Certificate. He and his team are committed to providing exceptional care to young patients, giving them the best opportunity to enjoy healthier smiles as they grow into adulthood. If you have a child who needs a dental checkup, visit our website or call (972) 429-7070 to schedule an appointment.