The new school year is almost here! Is your child ready to return to the classroom? If they haven’t seen their dentist in Mt. Vernon this summer for a preventive checkup, then the answer is “no”! That’s because research demonstrates that children with poor oral health are more likely to show reduced school performance. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to help boost your child’s oral health and, in turn, their success in the classroom. Keep reading below if you want to help your child start the school year off on the right foot.
The Link Between Oral Health and Good Grades
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children ages 6 to 19. If your young son or daughter has a toothache due to a cavity, they may have trouble concentrating on their teachers’ lessons. In addition, cavities and other dental problems may keep your child from participating in class, which can negatively impact their grades.
If small dental problems go undetected or untreated, they will worsen over time. Serious dental trouble can cause your child to miss significant classroom time. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, each year children with dental diseases miss more than 50 million hours of school! Keeping up with new learning material and tests is very difficult when your child is not present at school.
Back-to-School Oral Hygiene Tips
Here are some tips to help keep your kids’ teeth cavity-free in between dental checkups:
- Pack tooth-friendly lunches for school by replacing sugary snacks with healthier alternatives. For example, nuts, yogurt, and cheese sticks are all better options than gummy snacks.
- Set a good example by brushing your teeth alongside your children every morning and before they go to bed. Do this even during the summer, so your children are already in the habit of daily brushing when the school year starts.
- Help your children floss at least once a day to remove tiny bits of food from between teeth.
- If your children enjoy chewing gum, be sure to buy the sugar-free variety.
- Swap out sugary juices or sports drinks for water.
When Should You Visit a Children’s Dentist?
In general, you should schedule a dental checkup for your child every six months. Even if you help your children brush and floss every day, only a dental professional can remove hardened tartar from teeth. In addition, regular dental checkups give your children’s dentist in Mr. Vernon an opportunity to catch emerging problems early on. Treating dental issues before they have a chance to worsen will help ensure your child does not miss valuable time away from the classroom.
So, to set your child up for academic success this year, follow the tips above and don’t forget to add a dental checkup to your back-to-school checklist!
About the Author
Dr. Xiang Dorothy Dunker provides quality oral care to patients of all ages at Cross Creek Dental Care. A proud graduate of Case Western Reserve University, she regularly performs children’s dental checkups and applies sealants to young patients’ teeth. To learn more about how oral health impacts academic success, visit the Cross Creek Dental Care website or call 740-392-6156.