Bright Smiles, Bright Minds: How Oral Health Relates to Academic Success

It’s back-to-school season, which means that parents and their kids are busier than ever trying to prepare for the year to come. If you have children, you probably want to equip them with everything they could need to succeed academically.

As it turns out, a healthy smile is a vital part of that, at least according to some recent research. Here’s what science has to say about the connection between children’s teeth and test scores, as well as what you can do to keep your family’s oral health in good condition.

Does Oral Health Affect Academics?

In 2012, researchers published a startling study in The Journal of Pediatrics regarding the connection between oral health and performance in school. They analyzed data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health containing comprehensive dental health and academic data for over 40,000 children.

They found that poor oral health was correlated with an increase in problems at school, truancy, and even being unable to complete all of their homework.

How Good Teeth Connects to Good Grades

This might seem a little bit surprising, but the connection makes some sense when you look closer. If students suffer from profound oral health problems, it may mean that they have to miss school to visit the dentist more often than they would otherwise. This leads to lower attendance and, by extension, worse performance academically.

The psychological toll of poor dental health is also worth considering; the study also found that childhood oral health problems were associated with increased feelings of shyness, reduced friendliness, and a higher rate of feelings of worthlessness. While it’s unclear to what extent these feelings affect performance at school, it’s easy to see how the two could be connected.

How to Protect Your Children’s Oral Health

Thankfully, keeping your children in good oral health doesn’t have to be difficult. For one, at-home hygiene is crucially important—make sure your kids are brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash thoroughly each day.

It’s also necessary to bring your children to a dentist for regular checkups. By being proactive about when you see the dentist, you can pick the timing so that it doesn’t interfere with school and prevent serious oral health problems from emerging.

About the Author

Dr. Henry Lu wants every patient he sees to feel good about their smile. That’s why he takes his role as a dentist incredibly seriously, helping people through both exemplary dental care and thorough patient education. Dr. Lu received his dental degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, and he is presently a member of the American Dental Association.

If you have any questions about your child’s oral health, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (469) 998-9822.