A silent epidemic is impacting children in schools all across our area. Dental experts say it is one that affects not only their health, but their ability to learn. KTEN's Meghan McDermott has more in tonight's HealthWatch report.

There are so many factors that affect a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. We try to ensure that our kids have all of the proper tools. But some children may be handicapped by something that seldom occurs to parents or teachers-- oral health issues.

Kevin Haney, DDS, OU College of Dentistry: "A toothache, as we know, can be very painful. It can be very irritating and it can take your mind off the task at hand. If you're supposed to be studying for your math test and you're not because your tooth is bothering you."

Poor oral health has been linked to decreased school performance, poor social relationships and less success later in life. The U.S. Surgeon General's office reports students between five and 17 years of age miss an estimated 51 million school hours a year-- that's more than a million and a half school days-- because of dental-related illness.

Dr. Haney: "Let's take a worst-case scenario of a child who has a lot of cavities in his mouth and he's not brushin as well as he should. If he is spending 3 or 4 apppointments of on-to-two hours a piece at the dentist's office, that's 3-4 times he's missing school work that's just as important for his growth and development."

Warning signs of dental problems in children include: rubbing the face, difficult chewing, and complaining of pain when eating something sweet or something cold. Dr. Haney stresses early detection of dental problems are important for your child's overall health, well-being and for learning too. Of course, he adds preventing problems before they begin is always best.

Reporting on the HealthWatch, Meghan McDermott, KTEN News.