Oral and general health in children: impact on well-being and school performance
Children’s oral health is a vital component of their overall health and well-being. Recent studies have shown that dental problems not only cause pain and discomfort in children, but can also significantly affect their school performance and quality of life. From infections that can diminish their ability to concentrate to self-esteem issues arising from dissatisfaction with their smile, oral health has a profound impact on children’s daily lives.
Connection between oral health and general wellbeing
Dental problems, such as cavities, gingivitis and misaligned teeth, can be more than just annoyances. These conditions can lead to feeding difficulties, resulting in poor nutrition. For example, a child with dental pain may have difficulty chewing certain foods, limiting their ability to get the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.
In addition, oral infections can influence other areas of the body. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can enter the bloodstream and lead to more serious conditions, affecting the heart, lungs and other areas of the body. This risk underlines the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene from an early age.
Impact on school performance
Poor oral health not only affects children’s physical health, but also their academic performance. Pain and discomfort can reduce the ability to concentrate and participate in school. One study showed that children with untreated tooth decay were three times more likely to miss school due to pain, which in turn correlated with significantly lower academic performance.
In addition, cosmetic problems such as crooked or misaligned teeth can affect children’s self-esteem. Insecurity about their appearance can lead to social anxiety and reduced participation in school and social activities, which may impact on their social and academic development.
Improving quality of life through better dental health
To improve children’s quality of life and school performance, it is crucial to adopt preventive dental health measures. This includes:
Oral hygiene education: teaching children from a young age about the importance of regular brushing and flossing.
Regular visits to the dentist: regular dental check-ups allow problems to be detected early and treated before they become serious.
Adequate nutrition: limit consumption of sugars and acids that can damage tooth enamel and promote tooth decay.
By implementing these practices, we can ensure that oral health does not become an obstacle to children’s well-being and academic success.
Make an appointment at Udemax Clinics, at Arcdental, your children’s clinic located in Zona Colegios, or at Emardental, your clinic in the centre of Palma. Or call us on .
Clinicas Udemax
At Clinicas Udemax we offer the youngest patients in the family a personalised service provided by a team of specialists in children’s and teenagers’ dental cases. Our objective is to offer the least invasive and most effective treatments at these ages to guarantee the development of a healthy mouth, establishing the bases of an adequate oral health that will allow the adult to maintain an aesthetic and functional smile for years to come.
It is important in our clinic to offer the greatest peace of mind and safety with our treatments. For this reason, we have a team specialised in paediatric dentistry techniques and preventive and corrective orthodontics that continues to be trained to apply the latest technology and guarantee excellent and long-lasting results.
