Although most people wouldn’t make the connection between children’s dental health to their academic performance, studies have unveiled that these two parts of little ones’ day-to-day lives are related to each other. The National Survey of Children’s Health, taken in 2007, surveyed over 40,000 children on their school performance, psychosocial well-being, and dental health, taking into account social determinants. Their conclusion was that with improved dental hygiene practices, school focus and participation can be improved.
Connecting Oral Health & Academic Success
A study published in 2012 in The Journal of Pediatrics established an important relationship between children’s dental health, school performance, and psychosocial well-being. What they found was astonishing, which was that dental problems had a significant impact on reduced school performance. This included being more likely to miss school and less likely to complete all required homework, which could lead to lower grades.
They concluded their study stating that preventive dentistry and improved oral health could play a major role in increased academic achievement and psychosocial development for school-aged children.
Tips to Help Improve Children’s Dental Health
There are at-home and professional dental health tips you can implement in your child’s daily life to help them thrive both in and out of school. Some of these include:
- Start taking your child to the pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth grows in. Every six months, it’s recommended that they receive professional checkups and cleanings that help detect and prevent common oral health problems.
- Help them maintain a good at-home dental hygiene routine. This includes brushing their teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day once they have teeth that touch each other.
- Protect their teeth if they play contact sports with a customized mouthguard, or if they grind, a nightguard.
- Encourage them to maintain a balanced diet that doesn’t include excessive amounts of carbohydrates or sugars, as harmful oral bacteria love to feed off of these!
- Introduce them to the importance of good dental hygiene at an early age by reading fun books about brushing their teeth and going to the dentist.
Helping your little one build oral health-conscious day-to-day practices and routines is an excellent way to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to help them maintain a healthy smile well into adulthood and beyond.
About the Practice
Our team at Brush Pediatric Dentistry is led by five amazing dentists, two of which are Board-Certified,
and the rest have years of experience specific to treating small, growing smiles. With relevant tips and
tricks beneath our team’s belt, we’re able to help children of all ages feel more comfortable and at-ease
while they’re in the treatment chair. We also offer a comprehensive menu of kid-friendly dental
services, from routine preventive care to timely emergency dentistry. For questions or to schedule an
appointment, visit our website or call 630-504-2223.