Pencils—check. Notebooks—check. Scissors and glue sticks—check.
Getting your child ready to go back to school? There’s one important thing that’s probably not on your shopping list but it could help your child prepare for school: a healthy smile.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who experience poor oral health tend to have lower grades than those with good oral health. But how are oral health and performance in school related? Keep reading to learn three ways that dental health problems could keep your child from reaching their academic potential this school year and what you can do about them.
Not Physically Present
Although remote learning somewhat worked during the pandemic, most teachers, children, and parents agree that in-person instruction is the best approach. But if your child is absent because they are having dental work done, they are missing out on opportunities to learn.
Simply put, they are physically not in the classroom and, therefore, don’t get the same chance to succeed academically as children who have better oral health and are in the classroom day in and day out.
Not Mentally Ready to Learn
Even if your child is present in the classroom, it doesn’t guarantee that they are learning new information or skills. Distractions can keep your child from being able to focus on their school work. Those who have untreated cavities can deal with pain that makes eating, speaking, playing, and learning much more difficult. Although there are other ways your child may be distracted or have trouble learning, their dental health doesn’t have to be one of them.
Not Social
Grades are not the only indicators of success in school—making friends and being involved in extracurricular activities are other important factors.
However, in addition to disrupting their schooling, struggles with dental health can leave children feeling extra self-conscious or embarrassed about their smiles, especially in front of their peers. This can lead to mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, as well as challenges making friends, all of which impacts a child’s ability to excel and thrive in all areas of life.
Preventing Dental Health Problems
Fortunately, taking care of your child’s smile isn’t terribly complicated or time consuming. It only requires a few minutes every day brushing and flossing, but these little habits are essential for maintaining oral health. Equally important, your child also needs to have an appointment with a pediatric dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
In the end, you want to give your child the best opportunity to do well in every possible facet this school year. Although they’ll certainly need those school supplies, they also need to have the confidence that comes with a strong smile so they’re ready to face anything, so schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist today!
About the Author
At Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. J. Patrick Bowman, or Dr. Patrick for short, treats children from toddlerhood all the way through the age of 18. He enjoys seeing his patients grow and develop, and he takes pride in helping children learn the necessary skills to take care of their smiles. To schedule a dental checkup and cleaning, you may contact our Denver office through our Contact Us page here or by calling 720-647-6310.