February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! While taking care of your child’s teeth is important every day of the year, this month-long national health observance helps to bring a great reminder about the benefits of good oral health for children through a special slogan, “Defeat Monster Mouth.” The theme features the McGrinn Twins, Flossy and Buck, along with their best friends and next-door neighbors, Den and Gen Smiley and K-9 the dog which work together to defeat Plaqster the Monster for good oral health.
Together with your family dentist in Stuart, parents can instill the importance of brushing, flossing, rinsing and eating healthy snacks in order to prevent tooth decay and other issues. As tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, five times more common than asthma, keep in mind how poor oral health can negatively affect your growing child.
Overall well-being
The mouth cannot be separated from the rest of the body, which means it’s just as important for your child’s overall health and well-being. While many believe oral health is only about the presence or absence of tooth decay, it actually includes all the sensory, digestive, respiratory, structural, and emotional functions of the teeth, the mouth and associated facial structures.
If your child does not have good oral health, the bottom line is, they aren’t healthy. Fortunately, regular visits to your family dentist in Stuart can help ensure your children maintain excellent oral health – and, a healthy body overall.
The effect of poor oral health on self-esteem
Oral health is also an important consideration in social and cultural factors. Dental disorders can have a profound impact on kids in many ways. Untreated dental decay, or cavities, can result in infection, tooth loss, difficulty speaking or eating and poor appearance – all of which can hinder self-esteem. Chronic pain, resulting from oral health problems, can also alter a child’s ability to sleep and play.
Negative impact to school performance
In addition to lower self-esteem which can affect your child socially at school, his or her performance is likely to suffer as well. In fact, a 2011 study, Impact of Poor Oral Health on Children’s School Attendance and Performance, found that children with poorer oral health status were more likely to experience dental pain resulting in missed school, and perform poorly in school.
It’s easy to see how making regular visits to your family dentist in Stuart, can ensure a happy and healthier future for your child.
