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"Do your teeth
hurt?" It's not a question one expects to hear from a
teacher trying to troubleshoot poor academic
performance. Perhaps it ought to be. Each year more than
50 million school hours are lost by students due to
dental-related illnesses. Even when pain is not intense
enough to keep children out of school, it might still
distract them in the classroom.
"Poor oral
health is a very real distraction. It can cause some
children to have a difficult time participating or
concentrating in the classroom," says Dr. Scott Navarro,
dental director, Delta Dental.
With a new
school year just starting, Dr. Navarro urges parents and
other caregivers to help children maintain good oral
health. The first step is to promote the basics of
dental hygiene, such as brushing after every meal and
flossing. Parents should also pack healthy lunches and
limit sugary beverages to help prevent tooth decay.
Caregivers should also schedule regular dentist checkups
for children.
Dr. Navarro
suggests caregivers also look for changes in their
children's oral health or behavior that might signify
pain or discomfort.
"Parents should
regularly check children's mouths for any signs of
concern," says Dr. Navarro. "They should look to see
whether gums are bleeding, swollen or bright red.
Persistent bad breath or gums that have receded from the
teeth could also be signs of oral infection." Contact
your child's dentist if you see any of these signs.
"Untreated
dental diseases can cause chewing problems, which in
turn could restrict a child's ability to get all the
necessary nutrients from food," Dr. Navarro says. "Left
untreated, cavities, gum disease or other oral
infections might not only distract students in class,
but could eventually impair speech development and even
hinder social development," he says. |
