Poor oral health in children can affect more than just teeth. Dental health is just as important as general health, and bad oral health can often result in poor performance in school. When a child doesn’t feel well, many aspects of life can be affected. If the child is in serious pain or discomfort, it can result in reduced concentration and poor grades in school. Left untreated, oral conditions can quickly develop into tooth decay, periodontitis, and tooth loss. To keep children healthy and happy, it is extremely important for parents to teach their children good oral hygiene habits and to schedule regular dental appointments.
How Does Dental Health Affect Grades?
Although dental health and school performance don’t seem to be visibly related, the health and wellbeing of a child can impact many other aspects of life. It can be very hard for someone to concentrate on school work and other tasks when they are in pain. In an American Public Health Association’s study, it was determined that children with dental discomfort performed significantly worse than other kids in school. Part of the reason for this is that kids who have dental issues often miss more school, resulting in poor grades. The other reason is that these kids are feeling uncomfortable while they are at school, and concentration and performance suffer as a result.
Children are often not communicative about dental discomfort, especially if they fear they will be in trouble for their behavior. A child may fear that he will get in trouble for not brushing his teeth, and thus may be more hesitant to tell his parents about his oral conditions. In addition, some children may not understand why they don’t feel well and might not know exactly how to communicate their discomfort. When kids don’t tell their parents about their condition, it is easy for parents to overlook the discomfort they are in. Children are often sent to school in pain, where they inevitably perform badly.
Absences can also greatly affect a child’s school performance. Kids who are absent frequently often end up getting poor grades. Studies show that children with bad oral health were nearly 3 times more likely to miss school because of dental discomfort.
How To Prevent Tooth Decay
Regular brushing and flossing is the most important preventative measure a child can take to avoid dental disease. Parents should emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene and regular teeth cleanings. Scheduling frequent teeth cleanings and checkups is recommended, as tooth decay can be hard to spot for both parents and children. If a child has decay, it is crucial that the problem is treated effectively to avoid any further discomfort or disease. In addition, a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and lower in sugar is always recommended for good dental health.
Getting Started
Greater Houston Pediatric Dentist is committed to the health and well-being of your child. This includes how your child performs in their school as well. If you suspect that your child may be falling behind in school due to dental-related issue, please visit us for a free consultation. We serve the pediatric dental needs of families in West Houston and Katy.