When you think about how you can help your child be successful this school year, what comes to mind is probably school supplies and extracurriculars. However, there are other ways to help your child be a better student. Colorful pencils and pens may put a smile on their face, but what keeps it there is maintaining their oral health! Set your child up for success this school year by learning more about the link between academics and oral health.
The Link Between Academic Success and Oral Health
Simply put, studies have shown that poor oral health leads to students getting poorer grades. There are a few reasons why that may be, starting with missing valuable time in the classroom to get the dental care they need.
However, researchers also speculate that eating less nutritional meals at lunchtime and concentrating more on tooth pain than the subject material could play a role as well.
A student’s self-esteem can be negatively impacted by tooth decay and other oral health issues. If it’s harder for them to feel like they can show off their smile or make friends, then they can fall behind socially as well as academically.
Fortunately, there is much you can do to ensure this school year is a great one.
Setting Your Child up for Academic Success
Preventive dentistry is your best bet at protecting your child’s pearly whites. The two main ways of stopping oral health issues from becoming larger problems are for your child to maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home and regularly see their dentist every six months.
Your child should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. As soon as their teeth begin to touch, they should floss once a day. Developing good oral hygiene habits early ensures their smile remains bright and healthy for years to come.
If possible, you should also schedule an appointment with their dentist before the semester starts. Their dentist will be able to catch early signs of any arising dental trouble and treat it before it worsens. Taking care of the issue sooner rather than later reduces the chances of your child having to miss class over a dental emergency.
Help your child have a great school year by encouraging a good oral hygiene routine and seeking preventive dental care to protect their smile for picture day and beyond!
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, Drs. Danny Hayes and Uyen Vu provide completely personalized dental care to ensure their patients get just what they need. The practice offers a wide array of preventive dentistry services to patients of all ages. Drs. Hayes and Vu employ advanced dental technology to treat oral health problems long before they grow serious. If you’re interested in finding a new dentist before the school year, contact Advanced Dental Concepts at their website or by phone at (219) 926-7595.