Share:

While a supportive, safe, and nurturing classroom environment is vital to a student’s success, many factors outside the classroom also have an effect. Studies have shown a link between poor academic performance and low socioeconomic status, lack of parental education, and poor health, including poor oral health. Pediatric Dental Group provides families throughout Honolulu, HI, with comprehensive dental care services for children. Their team of dentists and hygienists says proper dental hygiene and exams are essential to helping kids lead happy, healthy lives. 

dental-careIf you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how difficult it can be to concentrate on anything but the throbbing pain. That’s why it’s no surprise that children with oral discomfort are more likely to struggle in school. In fact, children who had endured recent tooth pain are four times more likely to have a lower grade point average compared to their classmates who did not have oral pain. Many children with poor dental health also struggle in school because they’re absent more often. This applies to kids in lower grades as well as teenagers in middle and high school.

A majority of children who suffer in school due to poor oral health lack access to adequate dental care. Children should visit the dentist at least once a year as part of their back-to-school routine. During these regular visits, a dentist should perform an oral exam and teeth cleaning to remove plaque bacteria. These appointments are also an opportune time for the dentist to discuss proper oral hygiene with families, including preventative measures like sealants and fluoride use. Some schools are also taking steps to increase oral health among disadvantaged students by implementing free fluoride rinses, more oral health education modules, and dental screenings. 

To find out more about how proper dental care can help your child, contact Pediatric Dental Group in Hawaii today. Call (808) 593-8828 in Honolulu or (808) 245-2131 in Luhue, or visit their website to book an appointment. 

tracking