Connecting Oral Health to Student Success
As a parent getting ready to send your child back to school, you’ve likely purchased new clothes and school supplies, but have you thought about your child’s teeth? Parents are usually surprised to learn that their child can support their journey toward academic success by simply keeping up with a daily oral health routine.
Poor Oral Health = Poor Grades
Oral health issues continue to raise concerns as they can become a distraction to kids in the classroom, causing them to fall behind in coursework. Several dentists have studied the relationship between dental care and academic performance, and findings concluded that oral care has a significant impact on school experiences, which affect attendance and grades.
According to one study published in the American Journal of Public Health, on average, elementary children miss a total of 6 days per year, and 2.1 days of missed school were due to dental problems. These children are four times more likely to have a lower grade point average. This also includes parents who missed an average of 2.5 days of work per year to care for children with dental problems. Too many absences related to dental pain can cause children to miss a critical time in their lives where reading and writing skills start to become a focus.
Raising Grades and Smiles
Many parents have a tough time judging how much dental care their child needs. It can be especially difficult when children are shy about dental discomfort, especially if they fear they will be in trouble for their behavior. A child may fear that he/she will get in trouble for not brushing his teeth, and may be more hesitant to tell his/her parents about their oral pain. Some children may not understand why they don’t feel well and might not know exactly how to communicate their discomfort. It is easy for parents to overlook their child’s discomfort when a child does not or cannot express they are in pain.
To avoid pain or discomfort, scheduling frequent teeth cleanings and checkups is recommended, as tooth decay can be hard to detect for most parents. Ultimately, having a healthy smile can help improve kids’ concentration and performance in the classroom and may help reduce school absences. The American Dental Association advises parents to make dental exams a regular part of their back-to-school routine along with sports physicals, health exams and necessary immunizations. If a child has decay, it is crucial that the problem is treated effectively to avoid any further discomfort or disease.
During a professional cleaning and oral exam, a dentist will remove plaque bacteria from teeth to help fix early decay. Dentists can also advise parents about effective preventive measures for children’s teeth, such as the use of sealants and fluoride, and brushing and flossing techniques.