Tell Pearland Pediatric Dentistry what's on your child's reading list this summer!

With summer only days away, we've been thinking more and more about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easier for kids to go play with their friends or sit back and watch television, but Dr. Pamela Clark and team know that reading during the summer is a vital step for children to ensure they are prepared for school.

So here's the question: is your child reading a book this summer? If so, what's on their reading list? Tell us about it!

If you happen to be out of ideas for great summer reads, we encourage you to ask us for suggestions, and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry would be happy to provide a few titles. You may also ask a local librarian for some suggestions or check out various summer reading ideas that we came across recently.

Happy reading!

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!

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, helping your child save face this summer

Wouldn’t you believe it, the long, hot days of summer are just around the corner! At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, our team knows that the summer months bring with them an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of our young athletes damaging their teeth.

If you're playing sports this summer, it's important that you consult Drs. Pamela Clark or Suha Reddy for special precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard. Mouth guards are advised for playing spring sports such as baseball, soccer, kickball and many, many other summer sports.

We were reminded about the need to wear mouth guards after reading an article recently about hockey player Keith Tkachuk needing reconstructive surgery after taking a puck right to the mouth. Tkachuk’s gruesome injury underscores the need for all of our patients to use facial protection at all times when out on the field.

In case of any accident involving the face, we want you to check your mouth immediately. If teeth are loosened or damaged, please schedule an appointment to see Dr. Clark immediately. And don’t forget to ask us—Drs. Clark or Reddy will be more than happy to provide a mouth guard!

Our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry will tell you that only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids avoid serious sports injuries. Please give us a call at 713.436.4080 if you have any questions about mouth guards or your child's treatment at our office.

Dr. Clark wants to know: What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?

Memorial Day weekend, a time when Americans reflect and honor the men and women who have served to protect America and ensure our freedom, is almost here. For many people, getting out of town for three days after months and months of school or work spells sweet, sweet relief.

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s unofficially the start of summer 2010 and time for a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories with parents or friends.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend?

Whether you are headed to barbecues, a camping trip, hitting the great American roads with family or just having fun in the sun this weekend, our staff wants to hear all about it!

Share your experience at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry with the world!

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we are committed to providing your child with the highest quality of dental care. Our goal is to make every patient’s visit pleasant and educational.

Our practice is based on preventive care. 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.

Whether you've visited our office for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our office is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about our practice with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. Or, if you'd like, you may post a review on our Yelp listing.

After all, reviews help Dr. Pamela Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy create wonderful kids smiles in Pearland, Alvin, Shadow Creek Ranch and surrounding communities.

You may write a review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week! Our team looks forward to reading your reviews!

Is your local playground safe for your child?

Spring is here summer is rapidly approaching, and that means your kids will probably be spending lots of time outside. Playgrounds are everywhere from your backyard to the neighborhood park, and it's important to know what safety features to look for before your child hangs out parks here in Pearland, Alvin or Shadow Creek Ranch.

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we found some important safety tips on the American Academy of Pediatrics' website that we'd thought we'd share them with you today. Here's to a happy and safe spring and summer, from Drs. Clark and Reddy and our entire team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry!

* Carefully supervise young children using playground equipment. Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting.

* The surface under playground equipment should be energy absorbent. Use safety - tested mats or loose fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.

* Install the protective surface at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.

* Swing seats should be made of something soft, not wood or metal.

* Children should not twist swings, swing empty seats, or walk in front of moving swings.

* Put home playground equipment together correctly. It should sit on a level surface and be anchored firmly to the ground.

* Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment because children can strangle on them.

* Cap all screws and bolts. Check periodically for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty, or sharp parts.

* Install playground equipment at least 6 feet from fences or walls.

* Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment such as those on slides, which could cause burns.

Dr. Clark wants to know: Is your child a mouth breather?

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we know breathing through the mouth instead of the nose may lead to trouble for kids. Now we have proof, thanks to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of the journal General Dentistry.

Kids who typically breathe through their mouth - most often children who suffer from allergies - experience problems getting enough oxygen into their blood, a condition that affects their weight, size and sleep, which often affects their performance in classroom and daily life.

Dr. Yosh Jefferson, who authored the study, also notes that if left untreated, mouth breathing can cause dental and facial abnormalities. But there's good news: mouth breathing is a treatable condition. Doing so, however, requires early diagnosis and treatment. Since Drs. Clark and Reddy see their patients every six months, they may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

If you suspect your child is a chronic mouth breather, please give our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry a call at 713.436.4080.

For more on mouth breathing, we encourage you to read the rest of the Dr. Jefferson's article. For more on children's dental health, head over to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site.