What's on your child's summer 2011 reading list?

With summer finally here, 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 summer 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 found earlier today.

Happy reading!

Flossing with Dr. Clark

With June being National Smile Month, Dr. Pamela Clark and our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry were recently asked, “Do you have any suggestions for your patients to practice good oral hygiene at home or over the summer?”

Flossing is the only way to clean completely between the teeth. We strongly encourage parents to start flossing their children's teeth at a young age, especially if there is no space between the teeth. It is great to teach good habits to the children while they are young!!! Parents may use disposable flossers made for kids or they may use regular floss and have their child lay their head in the parent's lap to floss.

Here's a helpful article about kids and flossing, courtesy of Colgate.

Questions about flossing? Give us a call or ask Dr. Clark and team on Facebook!

FDA Issues Warning About Benzocaine in Teething Medication

Dr. Clark and our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry would like all our parents to know The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has issued a warning about over-the-counter teething pain medicines that contain benzocaine, a local anesthetic and the active ingredient.

The FDA has received reports of methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious blood disorder that is associated with pain relievers, including teething gels, that contain benzocaine sold under the brand names Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase and generic brands.

Methemoglobinemia reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and, in severe cases, can lead to death. Symptoms include pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate. Symptoms could possibly follow a single application of benzocaine with concentrations as low as 7.5 percent.

Read more by checking out this very important announcement. For more information, visit the FDA website and the ADA website.

Or, please call us at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry!

Smile! June marks National Smile Month!

Can you believe it’s already June? Today, Dr. Pamela Clark, Dr. Suha Reddy and our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our friendly office!

That means you too, parents! After all, there’s more and more evidence that suggests folks with gum disease are more at risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
* Visit us regularly (every 6 months or as recommended by Drs. Clark or Reddy)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask Dr. Clark or our team during your next visit or ask us on Facebook!

Dr. Clark wants to know: Are you wearing your mouth guard?

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among kids, especially those who play sports. Wearing mouthguards is important when playing contact sports. They help prevent teeth and head injuries! If a permanent tooth is knocked out, try to place it back into the socket as soon as possible and do not scrub it; contact your dentist immediately to be seen.

If you are not able to place the tooth back into the socket, then place it into milk and call your dentist! During the hot summer days, cool down with a nice big glass of water instead of sugary sports drinks! If you do have any sugary drinks, remember to drink at one time and brush your teeth!

Please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or ask us on Facebook!

What would Dr. Clark’s dream job be?

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. 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.

But let’s say Dr. Clark's profession wasn’t in pediatric and general dentistry.

Dr. Clark was recently asked, “Is there a profession or a job you’ve always wanted? Which job would you like to experience, if only for a day? Why?”

Here is her response!

Of course I love what I do and I really enjoy taking care of my patients and their families with my wonderful team! However, if I was given the chance to work another job for a day it would be a zoo vet in a non-English speaking European country. It is still in the medical field, I would get to interact with some amazing animals, I would know another language and I would get to experience a different culture! Of course this is a dream! In the meantime, I will continue to have fun with the kids in our practice!

Cheese and your child's oral health

Did you know research shows cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth? Not only does cheese provide large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also fights cavities. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss and Mozzarella all do their part to stimulate our salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris …and protect them from acids that weaken them.

What does that mean? Cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque’s pH level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth.

Hope this helps!

From Dr. Clark and the team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry