Season's greetings from Pearland Pediatric Dentistry!

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as Dr. Pamela Clark and our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: What do you and your child love or appreciate about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2011? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stray your child away from all those sweets making their rounds this time of year!

Happy Holidays!

Fall into reading with Pearland Pediatric Dentistry!

What better way to spend the fall months than inside by the fireplace with a warm cup of cider and a book in hand? Drs. Clark and Reddy & our team encourage you to warm up your child's mind this holiday season with a few great books. Sure it may be easy to put off reading when balancing a busy schedule, but reading is vital to kids' brain development. Plus, reading is always fun!

This week, we thought we’d ask: What are you or your child reading this fall? Do you have any suggestions for must-read books this year? Out of ideas for great fall reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Clark and our staff would be happy to provide a few suggestions. You may also ask a local librarian here in Pearland for some ideas or check out these fall reading ideas that we came across this week, courtesy of Amazon.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your fall picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Ask Dr. Clark: Is tooth decay preventable?

Great question - yes, in fact, tooth decay is totally preventable! Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit Pearland Pediatric Dentistry every six months (or as recommended) for regular dental cleanings and checkups. 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.

Lastly, we encourage you to check out this helpful article about kids and tooth decay, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.

Let us know if you have any questions - we want to hear from you on Facebook as well!

Dr. Clark and staff, giving thanks this holiday season

Dr. Pamela Clark and all of us at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry extend our best wishes to you, our patients, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We appreciate the opportunity to work together with you in the creation of your child's ideal smile. We'd like to know, what are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love your child's smile? Then we invite you to review Pearland Pediatric Dentistry on Google!

Has your or your child's experience with Dr. Pamela Clark and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry been GREAT?

Would you like to let others know?

Write a review on Google – it’s easy to do! We encourage you to head to our Google page and leave a short review there. Do you already have a Google account? Great! Just click write a review to leave your message.

Don’t have an account? Sign up for one–it’s easy and takes only a minute or two!

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! our entire team really appreciates it! Happy Monday!

Hyland’s Teething Tablets: Recall - Risk of Harm to Children

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified consumers that Hyland’s Teething Tablets is being recalled because the tablets may pose a risk to kids. The tablets are manufactured to contain a small amount of belladonna, a substance that can cause serious harm at larger doses. Analysis by the FDA has found that Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain inconsistent amounts of belladonna.

Parents should call Dr. Pamela Clark if their child experiences suspicious symptoms after using the tablets. Symptoms of belladonna toxicity include seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating and agitation, according to the FDA.

The tablets (and their product codes) included in the recall are:

1. Hyland's Teething Tablets, 125 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 75041

2. Hyland's Teething Tablets, 250 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 75042

3. Hyland's Teething Tablets, 125 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 75066

4. Hyland's Teething Tablets, 50 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 75044

5. Hyland's Teething Tablets, 145 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 75121

6. Hyland's Teething Tablets, Clip Strip 6x125 tablets, UPC # 3 54973 35109

Soprolife Intraoral Camera at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Clark and our staff recently purchased a new camera that was prominently featured on the TV show "The Doctors." As part of our commitment to learning about and obtaining new technology, the Soprolife Intraoral Camera uses fluorescence technology to find and detect cavities.

Here's how it works: The Soprolife camera emits a light onto the tooth and, when it is in treatment or diagnosis mode, the tooth will emit a color that helps the dentist to determine if the tooth is healthy or diseased. Of course, this helps Dr. Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy diagnose carious lesions or cavities. The camera can magnify teeth 30–to-100 times!

For any questions about the Soprolife camera, we encourage you to ask our staff during your child's next visit or ask us on Facebook! Happy Monday - we hope you had a wonderful Halloween!