From a very young age, children spend many hours at school. From preschool all the way through high school, it’s the place where they spend most of their day – studying, learning, and socializing with their peers. It’s also where the good habits we teach at home are truly put to the test.
Proper oral hygiene is one of them.
Over the years, several international scientific studies have shown just how strongly oral health can influence a child’s academic performance. This makes the role of adults essential: ensuring that kids don’t forget to take care of their teeth is crucial not only for their physical health, but for their emotional well-being, too.
A Lesson in… Nutrition
One of the biggest risks children face when they walk through the school doors has to do with food choices. As we all know, kids tend to have a sweet tooth and are easily tempted by snacks that aren’t exactly ideal for keeping their mouths healthy: sweets, candy, and fizzy drinks are among their favorites.
In the early years – preschool and kindergarten – school nutrition is generally well supervised and largely managed by teachers. But things change quickly as children move through the school system. Starting in elementary and middle school, kids often bring a mid-morning snack from home. And when families are busy juggling work, schedules, and daily chaos, the easiest solution is often to toss a packaged snack into the backpack. This becomes even more pronounced in high school, where vending machines stocked with snacks and drinks are almost always available. Unfortunately, healthy options are rarely offered, meaning students grow up constantly exposed to candy bars, sugary treats, and sweet, carbonated beverages.
As adults, we should know this by now – and it’s crucial that we pass that knowledge on to our children: all that sugar is harmful! Not only does it affect the whole body, but the mouth is the first “victim” of an unbalanced diet. The harmful bacteria living in our mouths feed on sugar. Eating too much of it not only promotes the growth of bacteria responsible for cavities and gum infections, but also increases the acidity in the mouth due to their metabolic activity. The result? Damage to tooth enamel, making teeth even weaker and more prone to decay. A true vicious cycle!
That’s why the role of parents starts at home, when packing the school bag for the next day. If we want to prevent our children from consuming harmful foods and drinks, we must set a good example and provide healthy alternatives – fresh fruit, for instance, is a great place to start.
Oral hygiene: an appointment worth adding to the school planner
Food isn’t the only challenge when it comes to protecting children’s teeth. Brushing at school after meals isn’t always easy: younger kids in preschool often don’t have the chance to use a toothbrush and toothpaste, while older students may simply not have enough time to take care of their oral hygiene during the school day.
For everyone, the starting point is the example set at home. As parents, it’s our responsibility to help children develop the habit of brushing their teeth regularly, adapting our approach to their age. For younger kids, turning toothbrushing into a fixed daily routine can make a big difference. And if they can’t bring a toothbrush and toothpaste to school, we can pack a product that serves the same purpose – natural-based oral sprays that lubricate the mouth, mimic the action of saliva, and help lower acidity are a great option.
Supporting the mouth’s natural buffering system is crucial. Saliva can take up to forty minutes to bring oral pH back to safe levels by neutralizing acidity. Using salivary substitutes after eating helps bridge that time window and protect the mouth while saliva does its job.
For the little ones, establishing healthy brushing habits after meals may require help from teachers, who can encourage kids to take care of their oral hygiene. For older students, however, the challenges change: they’re more independent, but parents can no longer rely solely on teachers’ authority. Time is tighter, lessons take up most of the day, and hanging out with friends is often far more appealing than brushing their teeth. Breaks between classes are usually too short to allow the recommended time gap between snacking and brushing. In these cases, a salivary substitute can be a practical solution.
At every age, teachers’ involvement is key. They can explain why a healthy mouth is the foundation of a healthy body and, especially in the early school years, create dedicated moments and spaces for children to take care of their teeth.