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!

What's your New Year's resolution?

The year is almost over, so Dr. Pamela Clark and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you or your child, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you or your child have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family and all our dental and medical colleagues in Pearland, Alvin, Shadow Creek and surrounding communities.

See you all in 2011!

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry at the Pearland Christmas Parade!

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry had a fun time participating in the Pearland Christmas Parade! It was great to see so many people in the community! Happy Holidays to all!

Check out more photos on our Facebook page!

Safety first this winter! From Pearland Pediatric Dentistry

As of today, winter is officially here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable and inclement weather here in the Midwest. This week, Drs. Pamela Clark and Suha Reddy and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry thought we'd share a few winter safety tips from our friends at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. These tips include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Remember that:

* Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
* Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
* A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
* It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
* Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
* When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
* The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your kids stay safe and sound this winter season. Please give our office a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment! See you soon and Happy Holidays!

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!