Now that the ‘back to school’ season is in full-swing, parents and teachers around the country will be looking for ways to get their kids off to a good start in the new academic year. Expensive tutors, fresh uniforms, and elaborate ‘healthy’ lunchboxes will abound. Yet one factor which is often overlooked in these fevered preparations is nevertheless a crucial one for optimal functioning: oral health. In recent years a growing body of research has emerged linking oral health problems (like tooth decay and gum disease) with a range of whole-body issues – including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even clinical depression and anxiety. Some studies have also suggested that tooth pain and caries could be associated with absenteeism and stunted achievement in schools. Perhaps this is unsurprising. After all, the challenges of study coupled with the daily stresses of teenage life is difficult enough for young people to cope with. Add acute oral discomfort into the mix, and this burden g...