Healthy Smiles: Important for Success in School

Healthy Smiles: Important for Success in School

September 8, 2021 / in / by Fort Worth Children's Dentistry
little boy and his dad at the dentist

Parents want their kids to have the best start in life. This includes getting the most out of their academic experience. Did you know that good oral health can have a positive impact on your child’s performance in school?

 

Why Is a Healthy Smile Important for Success in School?


 

Cavities are one of the most common health problems kids struggle with throughout the United States. If left untreated, your little one’s cavities can cause a variety of issues that can affect how he or she learns. For example, the physical pain will make it difficult for your child to concentrate in class.

 

Depending on the severity of the dental problem, your child may have to miss several days of school to visit the dentist’s office. This means missed classes and learning, which can result in poor grades. Poor performance can also lead to emotional and mental issues that further inhibit academic success.

 

Statistics on Dental Hygiene


 

Dental-related injuries and dental illnesses lead to the loss of almost 51 million school hours every year. Individuals with healthy smiles are 58 percent more likely to appear successful. However, about 45 percent of people do not like their smiles.

 

Relationship Between Dental Care and Academic Performance


 

According to findings from several studies conducted by dentists, oral hygiene has a huge impact on academic experiences. This is because it tends to affect attendance and grades. The American Journal of Public Health published a study suggesting that elementary school kids miss a total of six days per year. Of these missed school days, 2.1 were due to dental problems.

 

According to the study, these kids are four times more likely to have a lower GPA. Furthermore, parents missed an average of two-and-a-half days of work per year to take care of kids with dental issues. Missed school days related to dental pain can cause school kids to miss important moments of their lives when writing and reading skills start to become essential.

 

Raising Smiles and Grades


 

Many parents have a difficult time deciding how much oral care their children need. It is especially difficult if your little one is shy about dental discomfort or is afraid of getting into trouble for behavior. Essentially, some kids may hesitate to tell their parents about their dental pain or problems if they think they will get into trouble for not brushing their teeth.

 

Others may not know how to communicate their dental discomfort. They may not understand why they feel unwell. These are some of the reasons why some parents fail to notice their children’s discomfort.

 

As a parent, you need to schedule frequent dental checkups and cleanings for your child to avoid discomfort and pain. Ultimately, a healthy smile can improve your little one’s concentration and academic performance. It may also help reduce missed school days. According to the American Dental Association, parents should make dental exams a regular part of their children’s back-to-school routine.


 

To learn how healthy smiles are important for success in school, call Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry at our office in Fort Worth, Texas. You can call 817-569-6633 today to schedule an appointment.