All parents want their children to succeed in life, and that starts with doing well in school. Doing so helps to give them a head start once they reach adulthood. Numerous factors play a role in your child’s academic success, but one thing that you may not think about is their oral health. The healthier your child’s smile is, the more likely they are to earn good grades. Read on to learn why this is the case and what you can do to ensure that your kids maintain healthy smiles.
How Does Dental Health Affect Your Child’s Academic Success
Here are a few of the ways that keeping up good dental health can help your child succeed in the classroom:
Fewer Absences
If your child is struggling with dental issues, they will likely need to be taken out of school more often to have them resolved. The more days of school they miss, the more likely they are to fall behind and not receive the grades they were hoping for. By staying on top of their oral health, your child will be more likely to attend school and excel.
Fewer Distractions
When a child is experiencing a dental problem, it can be both inconvenient and uncomfortable for them. It’s difficult for both children and adults to focus on assignments and tasks when they are dealing with a great deal of pain. By picking up on problems before they become serious, you can keep them from taking a toll on your child’s success in the classroom.
Increased Confidence
It’s common for kids and teens to feel self-conscious about how they look. This includes the appearance of their smile. After all, this is a time of lots of growth. When a child isn’t feeling confident, they are more likely to distance themselves from other students and even refrain from participating in class. By addressing alignment issues or cosmetic imperfections with their dentist, you can help them achieve a smile that they are confident to show off while in the classroom.
How Can You Help Your Child Maintain Excellent Dental Health?
- Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice and floss every day. This is crucial to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health problems.
- Schedule routine dental cleanings and checkups for your child every six months. The dental team will remove any plaque and tartar and check for preexisting issues. This way, they can be treated before becoming serious and impacting your child’s academic success.
- Stock up on healthy snacks, like salted almonds, baby carrots, string cheese, yogurt, and apple slices.
- Discourage the consumption of too many starching snacks and sugary beverages.
Dental problems shouldn’t get in the way of your child’s education. By using the tips listed above, you can help to keep their smile healthy so they can succeed!
About the Author
Dr. Eric Buck earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Columbus Dental Society, and the American Orthodontists Society. To learn more about children’s dentistry or to schedule an appointment for your child at his office in Marion, visit his website or call (740) 725-8000.