Good Oral Health: The Key to Your Child’s Academic Success?

Like most parents, your calendar during the first few weeks of August is filled with back-to-school to-dos. Amid organizing carpools, purchasing back-to-school supplies, and making sure your child has everything they need for a good semester, many parents often forget one very important task: scheduling their child’s six-month dental checkup and cleaning. Keep reading to learn about the link between oral health and academic success!

Oral Health & Academic Success: What the Science Says

Thanks to years of extensive research, the correlation between oral health and academic success is evident. A study published by the US National Library of Medicine analyzed the data of 40,000+ children. The results were overwhelming: children with poorer dental health were significantly more likely to have problems at school, not complete all required work, and miss days altogether. In short, children struggling with dental issues were more likely to experience reduced school performance.

7 Important Oral Health Best Practices for Children

Now you know just how important good oral health is when it comes to your child’s performance in the classroom. Fortunately, you can keep their teeth and gums in pristine condition by helping them implement the below best practices:

• Eating a balanced diet filled with vitamin-rich foods.
• Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes both morning and night.
• Flossing daily.
• Visiting their dentist bi-yearly.
• Avoiding bad dental habits, like using their teeth as tools or chewing on their pencils.
• Limiting their consumption of sugary foods and beverages, like soda and candy.
• Wearing a mouthguard during contact and non-contact sports alike.

Why Routine Dental Checkups and Cleanings Are Crucial

When it comes to keeping your child’s oral health in pristine condition, brushing and flossing consistently are certainly important. However, their dental care regimen is ultimately incomplete if they aren’t visiting their dentist twice a year as well. These routine appointments are important for a number of reasons. To start, they ensure dental problems, like tooth decay, are detected and treated in the early stages. Secondly, thorough cleanings remove built-up plaque and tartar while simultaneously cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth.

Your child’s oral health is important year-round. With that being said, there is an added emphasis on healthy teeth and gums during back-to-school season to ensure they start the semester off on the right foot. So, if you haven’t already, make sure to schedule your child’s dental checkup and cleaning!

About the Practice

At White Oak Dental, our team is interested in doing things a bit differently, and that starts by genuinely listening! Whether we are providing a refreshing cleaning or intervening with essential restorative care, Dr. Mark Stapleton and our team go above and beyond to make your time with us informative, productive, comfortable, and enjoyable. If your child is overdue for their six-month visit or you have a question about properly caring for their smile from home, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 952-448-2868.