Poor oral health has a negative impact on children’s overall health and well being. Anxiety and depression in children can be the result of a poor self-image and self-esteem caused by dental problems, such as chipped, broken, or missing teeth, dark or stained teeth, or pain in the mouth as a result of cavities or gingivitis.

For children, cavities are a common problem that begins at an early age. Tooth decay affects more than one-fifth of U.S. children ages 2-4 years, half of those ages 6-8, and nearly 60 percent of those aged 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low-income children are hardest hit: about one-third have untreated decay. Untreated cavities may cause pain, dysfunction, absence from school, underweight, and poor appearance–problems that can greatly reduce a child’s capacity to succeed in life.

Dental problems affect children’s ability to communicate verbally and nonverbally with peers and teachers. If they’re embarrassed by their teeth, they may be always covering up their mouth with their hands, be afraid to smile, or reluctant to speak for fear of showing their teeth while they talk in class. All of these traits as a result of poor dental health can negatively impact the child’s school performance and attendance.

The solution is to take your child for an oral health assessment by his or her first birthday, and every six months thereafter.