Bullying is a distressingly common problem that affects one out of every five students between the ages of 12 and 18. Not only can this have a severe impact on a child’s emotional health, but it can also affect their physical health. There is evidence of a link between bullying and dental issues. Even worse, certain oral health problems can potentially make a child a target for bullying. Parents need to be aware of the connection between their child’s teeth and the abuse that they might be experiencing at school.
How are Bullying and Dental Health Linked?
Bullying causes the victims to experience high levels of stress, which can manifest in many ways. One particularly common example is teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. This often occurs at night when the child has no control over the way they move their jaw. Excessive grinding causes the enamel protecting the teeth to wear away. Not only does this make the teeth more susceptible to breaking, but the thinner layer of enamel also leaves them more vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay.
Furthermore, the link between bullying and oral health can go both ways. One study in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that the teeth are the facial feature that tends to be most targeted for bullying. Discolored or visibly damaged teeth can create a focal point for verbal abuse. Also, children with braces as part of orthodontics in Lockport are sometimes subject to teasing. While this behavior is inexcusable, the fact is poor oral health can potentially increase the risk a child will suffer from bullying.
How Can Parents Help Their Children?
Parents can help their children protect their smiles by making sure they follow a strict oral hygiene routine at home; this means making sure they brush and floss daily to prevent cavities and gum disease. If signs of bruxism are found, parents are encouraged to invest in a custom-made mouthguard. This simple oral appliance protects the teeth at night by keeping the upper and lower arches separated, ensuring that they don’t damage each other. If oral health issues do occur, parents should bring their children to the dentist immediately.
Preventing and treating oral health issues by no means guarantees that bullying will not happen or that it will stop. Parents should perform research to see what resources are available to help their children cope, such as school counselors, church youth group ministers, and mental health professionals.
It’s important to take the initiative if there are signs a child is either being bullied or experiencing oral health issues. One could easily lead to the other, and intervention is required for the sake of the child’s emotional and physical health.
About the Practice
At Grand Dental – Lockport, multiple dentists and specialists, including an in-house orthodontist, combine their talents and experiences to provide every individual that enters the office with fully personalize, honest dental care. We are happy to treat children of all ages; not only do we treat cavities and perform regular cleanings, but we also offer mouthguards to protect from bruxism and braces to straighten smiles. To schedule an appointment for your child, visit our website or call (815) 836-0001.