Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry Share Pool Safety Tips

Summer is here, and with summer comes lots of swimming! Our team at Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry found some helpful pool safety tips that we’d like to share with you, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Pediatricians.

* Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

* Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

* Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

* Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

* Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.

* Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.

* Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

Have more questions about your children and their safety this summer? Give us a call!

Sealing In Your Child’s Dental Health

Keeping your child’s teeth in the best possible condition will help them maintain optimum oral health for the rest of their lives. When brushing and flossing isn’t enough, we may suggest placing a dental sealant on your child’s teeth. Children who have dental sealants can decrease their chance of tooth decay by 60%! Sealants are a safe, effective way to ensure your child’s dental health for years to come.

Dental sealants work by providing a protective shield over the tiny grooves and depressions found on the chewing surfaces of teeth. While brushing and flossing is still essential even if your child has a sealant, this coating will help vulnerable areas from tooth decay by "sealing out" plaque and food.

If we think a sealant would be a good option for your child, a simple office visit is all it takes. One of our friendly dental hygienists or assistants will thoroughly clean your child’s teeth before applying the white or clear liquid-plastic material to the tooth’s surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to ten years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at your child’s regular checkups.

Eating healthy at the ballpark this summer, from Drs. Morrow, Lai, and Edwards

This summer, as you and the family head out to the ball game—whether it’s at a Major League park or the local tee ball game, it’s important to remember to make smart, healthy choices when it comes to snacks. Here are some tips you can use to avoid greasy, ballpark foods:

1. Eat before you go!

2. What are you drinking? Water is always a cheap, refreshing option. Gatorade, Powerade and VitaminWater work as well, though keep in mind their sugar levels.

3. Bring your own snacks. Remember that these must be in unopened packages when you enter the gates.

4. Before the game, get some exercise. You’ll be sitting for two- to three hours at the game, so be sure to take a walk or a light run before you head out.

5. Calories, calories, calories. From hot dogs to fries to pizza, the ballpark stands typically sell high-caloric foods. But most venues will also offer healthier options, such as crab cakes, chicken sandwiches, turkey wraps or soups and salads.

Enjoy the game!

-Drs. Morrow, Lai, and Edwards

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!

Easing your child's fear of dentists, from Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry

Drs. Lai, Edwards and Morrow know that many children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at Morrow, Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry found a great article on how to help kids overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit Drs. Lai, Edwards and Morrow is a big reason to take your child to a pediatric dentist instead of a regular dentist.

Our staff at Morrow, Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit! Has your child visited our office in the last six months? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment!

Ask Drs. Morrow, Lai and Edwards: When should my child come in for a check-up?

At Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, we think a child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they sure can fear the unknown. At Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, our team makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. After all, we strive to make you and your child to feel at ease from the moment you walk through our door.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or AAPD, kids should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Your child's first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically erupt by age 3.

If you have any questions about pediatric dentistry, or about your treatment with Drs. Morrow, Lai and Edwards, please give us a call at (918) 742-9810. Our goal is to create happy, healthy smiles for children. We want our patients to understand that oral health is important, and we want them to recognize their part in taking care of their teeth.