Is Seeing the Dentist Part of Your Back-to-School Checklist?

Whether it’s your child’s day of school ever or they’re entering middle or high school, you want nothing more than to guarantee their success in the classroom. That means getting all the supplies they need to be prepared, including pens, pencils, binders, a new backpack, new clothes, a lunchbox, and so on. But as you write your back-to-school checklist, did you ever stop to think about when their last dental appointment happened? According to a dentist in Campbell, if your child is distracted by a cavity or gum disease, it’s going to be far more difficult for them to concentrate on school work. Here’s why and how you can prepare as the school year ramps up!

Dental Disease Affects Academic Performance

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, poor oral health is significantly associated with poor academic performance in children aged 6 to 17 years. The report relied on data from more than 45,000 children in the United States.

In the study, it found data that is quite startling to parents and dentists alike. It notes that:

• 16 percent of children had at least one dental problem defined as a toothache, tooth decay, cavities, or bleeding gums.
• 25 percent of the children studied had school problems
• Out of that 25 percent, 67 percent missed any school, 23 percent missed more than three days of school, and 10 percent missed more than six days of school

Overall, the study notes that children with at least one dental condition were significantly more likely than those without dental issues to have problems at school. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to make sure that their oral health is in check in time for the school year.

Why Now is the Best Time to Visit

When you visit now, rather than during the school year, you’re less likely to interrupt your child’s afterschool activities before they have a chance to ramp up. Plus, instead of pulling them out of classes to have their routine appointments completed, you can get them out of the way before other families begin to rush the dental office. It’s the most ideal time to fully dedicate enough time to your child’s visit.

How You Can Prepare Them for the Upcoming School Year

On top of scheduling your child for their next routine cleaning, it’s important that they have the tools at home to practice effective oral care. After all, if their oral health is in order, they should only need to visit a dentist once every six months. Make sure that the following items are on your child’s back-to-school list as well, if they aren’t already. This includes:

• New set of child-sized toothbrushes (these need to be replaced every three to four months)
• Toothpaste that your child actually enjoys using (consider fruity flavors if they don’t enjoy the taste of mint!)
• Optional: electric toothbrush to make care easier and more fun!
• Oral mouth rinse (not recommended for children six years of age or younger)

Is your child’s oral care back-to-school ready? Schedule an appointment with a dentist today to learn more!

About the Author

Dr. Karen Ho earned her dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. She’s always happy to help children perfect their oral care, provide gentle treatments, and inform parents on the best habits and products to use for protecting their oral health. To learn more about her practice, you can contact her through her website.