Backpacks? Check. New Clothes? Check. Binders and Pencils? Check. With supplies in hand, you can now send your child back to school and officially end the summer. It’s a big relief every year to see them off so you can focus on some much-needed “me time.” But aren’t you forgetting something?
There’s one thing not on that list that studies show is vital to your child’s continued success at school, and it’s not their lunchbox—it’s a trip to the dentist. Continue reading to see why a dental exam needs to be a part of your end-of-summer routine from now on.
Poor Oral Hygiene Equates to Poor Performance
It may sound strange at first, but several studies have shown a direct link between a child’s academic and social performance at school and the state of their mouth. When dentists performed these studies, they looked at the relationships between attendance, oral health, and grades.
What they found was that children missed six days of school per year on average, and close to half of those absences were due to problems related to oral health. Those most affected by their teeth also experienced decreased sociability and lower grades. In fact, these children were four times more likely to have a lower grade point average than their healthy peers.
A Psychological Effect
The problem isn’t just a physical one. While children can become sick if conditions in the mouth are left untreated, it’s more likely to affect their mentality. Studies show that children with poor oral health have lower self-esteem. They have feelings of shyness, inferiority, and depression more often than children interviewed with practiced teeth-cleaning routines.
The psychological effect is felt not only during time in school but well beyond. The feelings described above directly contribute to the underperformance of children at large and can contribute to antisocial behaviors that further reinforce this mindset as the child ages.
Making Time for Corrections
Because most children find it difficult to communicate their needs, it can be an arduous task to assess when they have a problem. Children may try to hide their poor habits due to fear of being in trouble or being a burden, even if they are experiencing pain that is distracting them at school.
Therefore, it is important that you, as a parent, take control of the situation early and schedule appointments for professional treatment as a routine. Regular dental screenings can catch problems before they start and build trust between the child and the dentist as their issues are addressed.
Since oral health has such a huge impact on academic performance, it’s imperative to foster a positive relationship between you, your child, and their dentist. As your child grows, they will begin to seek out help more often, develop better habits and relationships, and avoid the difficulties associated with poor oral hygiene.
About the Practice
At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, you’re in good hands with our professional and highly trained dentists. Dr. Eric Buck and Dr. Shaheera Afzal are understanding and empathetic with every patient, fostering great relationships that lead to great continued care. Dr. Buck earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry while Dr. Afzal earned her dental degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. To schedule an appointment or get more information on the treatments available at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin visit the website here or call (614) 792-1800.