Drs. Clark and Reddy, reminding you to wear your mouth guard this fall

With only three full weeks of summer remaining, Dr. Pamela Clark our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry would like to remind all our young athletes to take good care of your mouth while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall. After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether you're playing light soccer at the local park or practicing for school sports this fall.

Here are a few tips to remember when you're out on the field in the coming months:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports

• Wear a helmet

• Stretch before and after a game or practice

• Wear protective eyewear

• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin

• Be observant, even as a spectator

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids avoid serious mouth and facial injuries. We encourage you to ask Drs. Clark or Reddy (or one of our staff members) for a mouth guard during your next visit, and we will happily provide one!

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

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month!

With the hot and sultry Dog Days of Summer slowly coming to an end, it's time for you and your child to start thinking about school. August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month for the two million kids who will be entering kindergarten come September.

Our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry suggest getting involved in storytime by reading your child books about kindergarten, such as The Night Before Kindergarten or First Day Jitters.

Parenting Magazine also suggests that moms and dads take their child for a walk by their or perhaps taking him or her inside for a quick tour to get them familiarized with the concept of kindergarten. Take a walk around the classroom or peek in the windows and talk about what will be going on once school starts. Also, think about adjusting your child's sleep schedule gradually to the school’s schedule.

At home, make learning fun for your child by teach him or her the names of colors, or shapes and taking them on interesting trips around Pearland, Alvin, Shadow Creek Ranch or surrounding communities—to the library or grocery store, or to a museum or park—and talk with him or her about what he or she sees and what they think.

Finally, make sure your little one visits Dr. Pamela Clark or Dr. Suha Reddy before the first day of school. No one wants for your child to have to leave school because of a toothache! Please give us a call at 713.436.4080 to schedule an appointment!

We hope both you and your child have a happy and stress-free Get Ready for Kindergarten Month!

Is your child wearing a mouth guard this summer?

We're already in August (yes, it's really had to believe), and our staff at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry would like to take this time to remind our young athletes in to take care of your teeth while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this month while you're still on summer break. Dr. Pamela Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy will tell your child that only by using a mouth guard can people with and without braces avoid serious but common sports injuries.

So the next time you're in for a visit at our convenient Pearland office, we encourage you to ask Drs. Clark or Reddy for a mouth guard, and we will provide one for you! We hope you're enjoying your summer so far! Be sure to post your photos on our Facebook page!

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry present: 10 helpful summer traveling tips

Have you been planning that perfect family vacation this summer? Drs. Clark and Reddy know that summer is the season when many families choose to hit the open road—or catch a flight—to make those memories together. That’s why we want to share with you a few summer travel tips, courtesy of Cassandra James from Associated Content:

1. Make sure your kids are busy if you're going on a long car ride.

2. Don't ignore your kids during the trip - play guessing games, car number plate games, memory games, etc.

3. Choose the shortest way there

4. If you're flying, avoid layovers (long layovers can bore a child)

5. Don't forget to stop (take a break from driving every 2-3 hours)

6. Pre-board planes - give yourself and your kids a few extra minutes to get settled in

7. If possible, travel at night for your sanity's sake :)

8. Try to stop off at fun and interesting places.

9. Get to know your kids - start a conversation, ask about their friends, etc.

10. Make sure your kids are wearing comfortable clothes during your trip.

We encourage you to read the rest of Cassandra's article! We hope you’re having a fabulous summer!

Access your account—any day, any time—at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry

Access to your account, whenever you want, wherever you want it. Sounds simple and convenient, doesn’t it?

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, our patients and their parents have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our interactive and helpful website. You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

"Love being able to view appointments and dental benefits online." ~ Logan H.

"Convenient way of keeping track of appointments and receiving follow-ups by text message." ~ Cristina E.

"Able to check appointment date and time at 9:15pm, when it was convenient for me." ~ Kelly D.

"Keeps record of my insurance and how much is left; also helps me manage my appointments. Working full time and a mother of three I am very busy and this helps me stay on schedule." ~ Alyssa D.

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Drs. Clark and Reddy present: 5 easy steps to sun safety

Let's face it, summer can get pretty darn hot, and with the heat wave sweeping through the U.S. during last two weeks, Dr. Pamela Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy want you to think more and more about sun safety when you’re out and about. There are many ways kids can protect themselves during the hot summer months, and Parents Magazine has kindly provided five tips to help you get started.

1. Limit outdoor playtime between 10 and 4. (These are usually the hottest hours of the day).

2. Apply sunscreen properly. (Choose a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher. Apply to nose, ears, hands, feet, shoulders and behind the neck; lips can also burn, so apply a lip balm with SPF protection.

3. Wearing protective clothing. This includes a hat with a brim, sunglasses and a large umbrella.

4. Watch those medications. Some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to ask your doctor whether your child may be at risk.

5. You're the parent: Set the example. If your child sees you following sun-safety rules, he or she will follow suit.

Drs. Clark and Reddy encourage you to please give us a call if you have any questions, and always have a bottle of water handy when heading out! We hope you're all having a fantastic summer so far!