Tooth Pain and Poor School Performance: Is there a connection?

If you ever tried to focus on something, but you were dealing with pain at the same time, the pain can become the priority. Reading a book, watching a movie, or trying to do homework can be overshadowed if the discomfort that accompanies a toothache is present. Your kid’s dentist should be consulted immediately if your child experiences tooth pain.

You don’t have to be a scientist to understand the correlation between concentration and pain. If you stub your toe, that pain is front and center in your brain until it subsides. But a toothache is often a pain that does not stop – it is often an ongoing, throbbing sensation that interferes with everything you do.

As with most problems, prevention triumphs over resolution. There are many steps that can be taken to keep tooth pain from occurring:

1. Take your child to the kid’s dentist around the age of twelve months. The advantages of early visits are numerous. The child becomes familiar with the surrounding sounds and smells, and builds a trust with the family dental provider. If your child’s first visit to the kid’s dentist is to deal with tooth pain, future visits are jeopardized.

2. Teach your child about oral hygiene. Demonstrate the importance of daily flossing and brushing by allowing your child to watch your hygiene regimen. Discuss the importance of taking care of their teeth, and supervise them to make sure they’re doing everything consistently and correctly.

3. Before dental decay can occur, have your child protected with dental sealants. A sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth not impacted by decay. The sealant will protect teeth but they can dislodge or wear away making consistent dental visits even more important.

4. Make sure your child sees their kid’s dentist every six months. Plaque build-up will be removed that could lead to cavities or gum problems. The exam provided by the dentist will point out any areas of concern.

5. Make sure your child limits (or better yet avoids) consuming sugary snacks and beverages. The sugar in foods and drinks clings to bacteria on teeth, and hardens to form plaque.
    

If your child speaks about tooth pain, don’t wait to see if it goes away. Take action to prevent a small issue from escalating to a big one.