Summer fun with Drs. Morrow, Lai, & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry

Summer is finally here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the team at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite part about summer? Is it the warm weather? Trips to the lake or neighborhood pool? Spending quality time with friends and family? Picnics at the park?

Drs. Morrow, Lai, and Edwards, and team would like to know what makes your summer especially memorable. Let us know by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Patient question: How is tooth decay preventable?

Drs. Edwards, Lai and Morrow will tell you that tooth decay is preventable - tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which 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 our convenient Tulsa office every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

If you have any other questions or concerns about your child's dental well-being, we encourage you to give us a call at 918-742-9810.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

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

With summer officially only three days away, we've been thinking more and more about the importance of summer reading. After all, children reading during the summer are bettered prepared for school and maintain their skill level.

Tell us: is your child reading a book this summer? If so, what's on their reading list?

If you're having trouble picking out great summer reads, we encourage you to ask Drs. Edwards, Morrow or Lai for suggestions, and they'll be more than happy to provide a few great titles for your kids. You may also ask a local librarian here in Tulsa for some suggestions or check out these summer reading ideas we came across yesterday, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading everybody and have a GREAT weekend!

Drs. Morrow, Lai and Edwards want to know: is your child a mouth breather?

At Morrow Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, we know breathing through the mouth instead of the nose spells trouble for kids. Now we have proof, thanks to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of the journal General Dentistry.

Children who typically breathe through their mouth - most often kids who suffer from allergies - experience problems getting enough oxygen into their blood, a condition that affects their weight, size and sleep, which often affects their performance in the classroom and life.

Dr. Yosh Jefferson, who anchored the study, also notes that if left untreated, mouth breathing can cause dental and facial abnormalities. But there's good news: mouth breathing is a treatable condition. Doing so, however, requires early diagnosis and treatment. Since Drs. Morrow Lai and Edwards see their patients often enough, they may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

If you suspect your child is a chronic mouth breather, please give our team a call at (918) 742-9810. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

Patient question: Is sedation dentistry right for my child?

While Drs. Lai, Morrow and Edwards strive to offer a comfortable experience for all our patients, we realize that fear or anxiety while visiting the dentist can affect a lot of kids anyway. For patients who need extra comfort and relaxation during their dental visit, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Do you feel nervous or stressed about your upcoming dental treatment? Well you’re not alone; in fact, almost 30 percent of the population experiences "dental phobia" when faced with visiting the dentist.

The reasons for patients' fear of the dentist can be numerous, but are usually due to a traumatic experience during their childhood. This overwhelming anxiety can cause one to avoid modern dental care, resulting in poor oral hygiene and possible mouth-related issues such as gum disease.

Your child can benefit from sedation dentistry if he or she experiences one or more of the following:

* High fear of dental care
* Complex dental problems
* Traumatic dental experiences
* Fear of needles and shots
* Trouble getting numb
* Sensitive teeth

If your child suffers from dental phobia, sedation dentistry may be the answer. Please give us a call at (918) 742-9810 for more info about sedation dentistry, and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Enjoy your weekend!