Can Your Child’s Grades Suffer Because of Poor Oral Health?
October 17, 2017 ABC Children's Dentistry
In a previous entry, we talked about how good oral health can be linkedtoh the overall health of your child. With the school year upon us, we’ll share in this entry results from a study that say your child’s academic performance can be affected by oral health.
How can poor dental health lead to a poor school performance?
According to the study, which relied upon data from the North Carolina Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program, children with poor oral health were almost three (3) times more likely to miss school and perform poorly in the classroom if they had poor oral health.
Distractions caused by chronic pain from dental issues, like cavities, can greatly affect a child’s ability to focus in class. It can also lead to the child missing more time and classes than normal, which can lead to noticeable declines in school performance.
In fact, each year about 51 million school hours are lost among schoolchildren.
Another study – this one carried out in Los Angeles – revealed that children with constant tooth pain were four (4) times more likely to have a low grade point average – below the GPA average of 2.8.
How can I help my child’s oral health?
There are a host of things parents can do in helping to make sure their child maintains good overall oral health. In addition to making sure your child stays away from sugar, and brushes and flosses regularly, it’s crucial that you continue to bring your child in for professional teeth cleaning.
During the professional cleanings, we’ll:
- Remove the calculus (not the math, but hardened plaque that clings to the enamel of your teeth and can be removed only by specialized dental instruments);
- Get rid of the other sticky plaque formed on the teeth that serves as a breeding ground for living bacteria;
- Polish your child’s teeth to remove stains; and
- Go over instruction of effective oral hygiene with your child.
For Compassionate and Fun Pediatric Dental Care, Call ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego
We hope you and your child have a wonderful school year. To make sure your child’s oral health is on the right track, go ahead and make an appointment here at ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego.
We’re pride ourselves on eliminating any anxiety that children may carry from past experience by introducing, creating, and delivering dental care in a gentle, non-threatening, child-friendly and fun environment.
Our number is 858-780-9794. Also, you can reach us online and via email.
