Don't take a break from oral care this summer!

Summer is a fun time for all! Kids get to get out of their rigid daily routines and enjoy the time off. However, it is important to always remember and keep their daily brushing routine for the health of their teeth and gums. Have a great summer!

Remember, we want to know what you and your family are up to this summer! Post your photos on our Facebook page as the summer rolls along!

Ask Dr. Clark: Why are regular dental checkups so important during orthodontic treatment?

Thanks for the question! If you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis, we think that’s wonderful! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit Drs. Pamela Clark and Suha Reddy every six months (or as recommended), in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day and flossing. Because your dental health is important to us, we'd like to remind you that it's time for your child's examination.

Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Our doctors at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt

• Detect cavities and early signs of decay

• Treat oral health problems early

• Show your child how to brush and floss

During an oral exam Drs. Clark and Reddy will usually check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to our Pearland, TX office in the last six months (or as recommended), call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and today, Dr. Clark thought she would talk about the need for preventative oral care in kids.

For more than 60 years, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. Forty years later, in 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Drs. Clark and Reddy and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's kids. At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

Ask Dr. Clark: When should my child visit your office?

Thanks for the question. Oral health is a hugely important part of your child's overall health, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry recommend that your child visits the pediatric dentist by his or her 1st birthday.

If you have any concerns about your child's dental health, please inform Dr. Clark and her team of these concerns. Our team is focused at making you and your child feel welcomed in our office.

Regular recare (checkup) appointments typically take 20 to 40 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately.

We are excited and look forward to meeting you and your child at their initial appointment. Dr. Clark's goal is to build a relationship with you and your child over the next several years in a comfortable environment that promotes good oral health care.

Hello from Dr. Clark!

Happy Monday!

I hope our patients make and keep New Year's Resolution that will benefit their overall health including taking care of their teeth and gums by brushing at least twice a day and flossing every day! We have great memories of our patients in 2010, especially our Patient Appreciation Party! We look forward to seeing all of our patients in 2011 and we are planning our Patient Appreciation Party for 2011!

Here are a few things that recently happened:

*We now have an intraoral camera that also detects decay so we can show pictures to our patients and their parents.
*I attended the Contemporary Sedation of Children for Dental Practice: Enteral and Parenteral Techniques course hosted by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry this past October.
*Dr. Reddy completed her oral exam and is now board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
*We are excited to have Alexandra Oltsik join our clinical team as a registered dental assistant.
*We wish Tina Jernigan (registered dental assistant) the best of luck! She is leaving the office to go back to school full-time to become a history professor! We are going to miss her.

- Dr. Clark

Ask Dr. Clark: When is thumb-sucking a cause for concern?

Lots of you have asked Dr. Pamela Clark and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs and fingers. If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs.

Is this something to worry about? In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call and we will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Pamela Clark, helping your child understand cavities

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, our staff knows one word no child wants to hear when they visit Dr. Pamela Clark is "Cavity!" That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected by Dr. Clark or Dr. Suha Reddy so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Clark or Reddy, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit our convenient Pearland office every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

We hope that helps you and your child understand cavities a little better! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

September is National Gum Care Month!

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we know that gingivitis - the early stage of periodontal disease - can be difficult to recognize for most parents. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word about September being National Gum Care Month!

Dr. Pamela Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy will tell parents that early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published year after year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your child's heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs with your child, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Pearland office by calling 713.436.4080 as soon as possible. Drs. Clark or Reddy can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease in your child, while showing you how to improve gum care in your child's daily oral hygiene habits.

We hope you've had an outstanding Labor Day weekend!

Dr. Pamela Clark presents: Foods for healthy gums and healthy hearts

Gum disease, known also as periodontal disease, is far more common in American kids than you may think. Each year, new studies begin to link the effect gum disease can have on the heart, and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry have been spreading the word! One of the simplest steps to achieving healthier gums can be your diet. We recently found a great article from EatingWell, outlining several options for healthier gums. Included among the suggestions were:

*Raisins
*Green Tea
*Whole Grains (barley, brown rice; buckwheat; oatmeal, popcorn, whole-wheat bread, pasta or crackers)

In addition to these foods being gums-friendly, they happen to be healthy foods in general, and a great option to begin integrating into your child's diet this fall.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

- Dr. Pamela Clark and team

Ask Dr. Clark: How often should my child visit your office?

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry is based on preventive care, and we strive to teach good oral care that will enable your child to have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Establishing lasting relationships with our patient families, based upon mutual trust and open communication, is very important to us.

Your child should visit Dr. Pamela Clark and our team every six months for regular dental cleanings, tooth exams, as well as growth and development exams. We recommend professional fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. At each recare visit your child will have their medical history updated, radiographs taken as needed, and a dental prophylaxis (cleaning) performed by our Dental Hygienist. Dr. Clark then performs a complete dental exam including caries screening, soft tissue exam, and evaluation of growth and development.

As part of our caries screening process, our office utilizes Caries I.D. technology. Caries I.D. is a pen-sized hand held device that utilizes LED technology to detect cavities in the earliest stages that can often be missed by traditional methods. Early detection means more conservative treatment for your child.

We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Pamela Clark: who gets cavities and why?

Pearland dentist Dr. Pamela Clark and our team have discussed cavities before, but how exactly does one get a cavity? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Dr. Clark and team, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit Drs. Clark or Reddy every six months for a check-up

We hope that helps! We encourage you to contact us at 713.436.4080 if you have additional questions about cavities or your child's treatment at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For 60 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland, OH clinic.

The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949, according to the ADA. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Drs. Clark and Reddy and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry wants you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office during the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!