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!

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!