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Now that the newness of going back-to-school has worn off, little things in our schedules can fall by the wayside. We might be tempted to give our children “just five more minutes” of sleep when they beg for it, but if that extra time translates into neglecting oral hygiene, we should think twice. Brushing and flossing are as important to overall health as any other element of the morning routine. In fact, poor oral health can actually lead to lower grades and diminished performance in school. Your Mansfield dentists explain the importance of keeping children’s teeth in tip-top shape.

Dental Decay in Children

The November 2011 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, reported that dental decay is the most common source of tooth pain in children. Preventing tooth decay is the ideal situation for avoiding childhood toothaches. Once tooth decay has begun, quick attention is important to keep cavities from going deeper. When undiagnosed, or ignored, tooth decay can enter  the pulp of teeth, leading to sometimes excruciating pain, more invasive procedures, and possible tooth extraction.

Tooth Decay Leads to Poor Grades

A child that is experiencing tooth pain is at a real disadvantage when trying to absorb all of the information they are exposed to. Toothache pain can hamper anyone’s focus. Attempting to retain knowledge and take tests while dealing with chronic pain is likely to lead to lower scores and frustration. If tooth decay is allowed to advance, the discomfort can cause missed days of school. More absences will be required when the procedures to repair the damage of tooth decay are scheduled with the dentist. This can easily extend to personal time off for working parents. The inconveniences of dealing with tooth decay are likely to have an effect on the entire family’s schedule. A child that can’t attend school due to dental issues is going to be at risk for falling behind in their schoolwork.

Visit Your Family Dentist Regularly

The same formula we need to follow for our own healthy smiles will reduce tooth decay in our children. Brush teeth with a fluoride containing toothpaste twice a day and be sure to floss at night. Avoid sugary foods and acidic beverages as much as possible. Keep up with bi-annual appointments for checkups and cleanings with your dentist.

To ensure that your child is free of any early signs of tooth decay that may affect their school performance, schedule their dental checkup with Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris. Contact our Mansfield dentist office at (817) 259-1357. We are proud to provide comprehensive dentistry to patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian, the 76063 zip code, and surrounding communities.