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Can a Healthy Smile Keep Kids in School?

Girl Backpack According to a study conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, kids miss 51 million hours of school each year because of dental-related issues. While there are some dental issues, such as accidents and congenital problems, that may contribute to this number, many of the problems that factor into missed hours of school can be prevented. Mint Hill NC children’s dentist Dr. Bevin Malley wants your child to have a healthy smile and a good school year. Here are some tips to avoid dental problems in school-age children.

The Distraction of Dental Problems

When your tooth hurts, it impacts your ability to work efficiently and effectively. It’s the same for kids. Children with dental pain caused by cavities, dental disease, or other oral-health-related issues have difficulty concentrating in class and may even miss school because of the discomfort.

Give Kids a Head Start on a Great Smile

The following tips can help your child maintain a healthy smile and cut down on missed school days:

  • Visit Carolina Kids Dentistry for six-month checkups and cleanings. Regular visits to our Mint Hill dentist’s office let Dr. Malley monitor the progress of your child’s dental development and assess your child’s teeth for cavities or spacing issues that need to be addressed. A dental cleaning keeps teeth and gums healthy.
  • Ensure that your child is brushing and flossing as directed by Dr. Malley. Typically, brushing twice daily and flossing once a day is recommended, although brushing after sugary or starchy snacks is a good idea, too. We can teach your child how to brush and floss effectively. Young brushers often try hard, but they still need help. If you have a young child, help them brush the hard-to-reach teeth or watch them brush to ensure that they’re doing it correctly.
  • Cut back on sugary/starchy snacks for your child. Crunchy fruits and vegetables act as natural toothbrushes, have a high water content that dilutes sugars, and increase saliva flow. Good saliva flow is essential to wash away decay-causing bacteria. Foods high in calcium and phosphorous are good choices for teeth, too.

We’re Happy to Help

Call Carolina Kids Dentistry for more information or to schedule an appointment with Mint Hill NC children’s dentist Dr. Malley.