Now that it’s August, this summer is finally wrapping up. You know what that means – the back-to-school season is kicking off! At this point, you’re likely buying course supplies for your kids. Still, there’s another way to help students with the school year. Have your children see a dentist before their first day of classes. In truth, good oral health can enhance academic success. To find out why, read this summary of the issue from your local dental practice.
A Strong Smile = Straight A’s?
You might think teeth and grades are wholly unrelated. However, kids with unhealthy smiles do poorly in school. They don’t perform well on exams and struggle to learn from teachers.
The crux of the problem is a lack of focus. According to a 2012 study from the Journal of Pediatrics, children with oral issues struggle to pay attention in school. Instead, they skip classes, rebel against teachers, and don’t do their homework. Worse yet, their oral issues reduce their motivation and cause unhappiness.
Book a Back-to-School Dental Visit
Given the current research, have your kids see a dentist before school starts. Doing so will give them an edge in future coursework.
You see, a dental checkup is great at treating oral pain. It can detect and fix the underlying causes better than you could. As such, a visit will give your kids healthy, non-distracting smiles. The result would be major boosts to their concentration and performance in the classroom. Better yet, your children won’t have as many school absences.
Helpful Oral Care Tips for Home
Of course, you can always help with your children’s oral care at home. Your aid makes a great addition to regular dental visits. With that said, try using the following tips:
- Emphasize Oral Hygiene – Remind your kids to brush their teeth twice daily. Also, have them floss once daily if any two of their teeth are touching.
- Limit Your Child’s Sugar Intake – Since sugar decays teeth, limit your child’s intake of sugary and starchy foods. Alternately, only allow these foods at mealtimes when saliva can wash away bacteria.
- Get Involved as a Parent – Read books to your child about oral health habits. If you do, you’ll reinforce why kids need to care for their teeth.
True enough, oral care won’t substitute for diligent studies at school. However, the tips above ensure your child’s smile won’t interfere with academics.
About the Practice
Market Heights Family Dental is based in Harker Heights, TX. Led by Dr. Angie Lim, our practice tries to give every patient a truly thriving smile. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental work. Our office is also a certified provider of sedation dentistry for those with dental anxiety. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (254)-699-3565.