It’s true – recent research shows that your child’s oral health can impact their school performance. Now that classes are back in session, that’s a pretty important discovery! Getting off on the right foot will help set the tone for your little student’s semester, and a checkup and cleaning with your pediatric dentist could be just the ticket. Keep reading to learn more. And don’t worry, there won’t be a pop quiz at the end.
Oral Health and Straight A’s: What’s The Connection?
You can find a lot of bold claims on the internet these days, so it’s fair to wonder how exactly your child’s oral health and their grades are connected. Here are the basics:
- Poor oral hygiene paves the way for cavities and other dental discomforts. If your child, like most children, doesn’t like to brush their teeth everyday, harmful bacteria will have a much easier time growing. Especially if they’re eating a lot of sugar!
- Toothaches and pains caused by cavities, gum disease, and other oral conditions can be quite distracting. Your budding genius will have a harder time concentrating on homework and lectures when they’re nursing an infected tooth.
- Some dental complications can be solved in one office visit, but not all of them. The more classes your child misses due to appointments, the less academic information they’ll receive.
Basically, when your child doesn’t feel good, it’s harder for them to do well.
What’s A Concerned Parent to Do?
So what can you do as a concerned parent who wants their child to succeed? This simplified bullet-list is for you:
- Listen keenly to your child. You probably know that kids don’t always say what they mean. Try to read between the lines as best as you can, in case they’re trying to tell you that their tooth hurts.
- Good oral hygiene habits start in the home! Encourage routine brushing and flossing by finding ways to make it a fun bonding activity.
- You’re not alone; your pediatric dentist can perform regular checkups and cleanings to get rid of stubborn bacteria and can give you pointers on maintaining your child’s oral health.
Between your parental expertise and your pediatric dentist’s oral know-how, you can help your young grasshopper excel. When you show them how to take care of their teeth, you’re really showing them how to take care of themselves, so that they can be themselves!
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana is a firm believer in the power of a strong oral hygiene routine! He’d be happy to help you and your child maintain your oral health, and will put his continuing education to good use by keeping you informed about the latest best-practices in dental care. Let Dr. Rana focus on the technical stuff so your little scholar can focus on their education. To contact his office, call 469-399-7288.