Halloween TIPS from the American Dental Association

It’s almost that spooky time of year again! Whether you are going door-to-door trick or treating, attending a party dressed in a clever, silly or scary costume, or simply getting together with friends and family to watch scary movies, Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry and our team want you to keep in mind the following tips from our friends at the American Dental Association to help reduce tooth-decay.

•Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.

•Consider chewing ADA-accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.

•Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day.

•Visit Drs. Morrow, Lai & Edwards for regular checkups.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your friends at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry!

You, your child and cavities

Our team at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry read an interesting article this morning pertaining to cavities and how bacteria spreads from parents to children, and thought we'd share the news with you, our valued patients and parents.

According to the MSNBC article, Streptococcus mutans, or MS, is a bacterium that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, and is the main culprit. Bacteria have been known to spread through blowing on babies' foods, sharing household utensils and even kissing your little one. In fact, a 2008 pediatric dentistry study showed “strong evidence demonstrated that mothers are a primary source of MS colonization of their children; a few investigations showed other potential sources … notably fathers.”

Drs. Morrow, Lai and Edwards know tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including the transfer of infectious saliva, genetics, oral hygiene, and feeding practices, such as letting your baby constantly suck on a sippy cup full of juice or milk or other sugar-laden liquids.

We would like for you to read the article and learn a bit more about the transmission of bacteria and how it might impact your child. If you have any questions about bacteria or your treatment at Morrow, Lai and Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, please contact us on Facebook or feel free to give us a call!

Artificial sweeteners and your child’s health, from Morrow, Lai & Edwards

Doctors Morrow, Lai and Edwards know that there is always a lot of debate in the health community about the health effects of artificial sweeteners, and aspartame is most surely one of the most controversial food additives to ever be approved by the FDA. Here at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, we try to provide you with the most up to date information on topics relating to the health of our patients and their loved ones. That is why we want to share with you a few facts that we recently learned in a Huffington Post article.

Did you know that aspartame is now sold under many commercial names, including NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet? Yes, that’s right. When checking nutrition facts, it is important to keep an eye out for all of these ingredients! This sweetener can be found in diabetic foods, jams, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, soda, and even prescriptions and vitamins.

What’s so harmful about aspartame?

With over 10,000 official complaints, aspartame reactions are more commonly reported than that of all other food additives combined. Of these reports, two-thirds consist primarily of headaches, mood alterations, and hallucinations. Determining your nutritional type and the foods that your body craves is key to satisfying sugar cravings. The recommended fructose level is below 25 grams per day, which includes both natural and artificial sweeteners.

Next time you're in for an appointment with Dr. Morrow, Dr. Lai or Dr. Edwards, let us know if you have any questions about aspartame or this article. As always, please remember to use a straw if you choose to sip soda, coffee, or other dark colored beverages to take care of that beautiful smile!

Six books for hip dads, from Drs. Morrow, Lai & Edwards

Hey Dads! Looking for a great book to read this summer? We’ve got some suggestions! Recently, we came across “A Guy’s Summer Book Guide,” which happens to be a pretty cool resource if you’re shopping around for a great summer read! If you’re still not satisfied, check out this complete list of reading ideas from Barnes & Noble. The list includes bestsellers, new releases, classics, as well as books designed for everyone in the family!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your summer picks or your all-time favorites on our Facebook page!

Kids Just Love to Brush! [Video]

How about a treat today? Here's a little sing-along for you to enjoy, from the team at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry. We loved it, and know you'll get a laugh as well. Enjoy "Sesame Street: Kids Just Love to Brush”!

If you have any other video suggestions you think we should share with other patients, please let us know!

Tooth Fairy “Tooth” Box

For your child, losing their first tooth, or any baby teeth for that matter, can be exciting! They might ask you, "what do I do with my lost tooth?" Well, you simply place it under your pillow at night and when you are fast asleep the tooth fairy will come and whisk your tooth away leaving behind a special gift just for you! Here's a great craft project for you and your child from Disney that will make the tooth fairy’s job a little easier and give their tooth a special place to stay until it is taken away.

Tooth Fairy “Tooth” Box

What you will need:
• 1 large empty match box
• Enough felt to wrap the box and inside sliding tray
• Ribbon
• Glue (tacky glue or a hot glue gun)
• Markers
• White, pink and blue (or your child's favorite color) felt for decorating the matchbox
• Scissors

Step 1: Pull the inner tray out of the box and line the inside with glue and felt as shown. Wrap the outside of the box with felt and glue it in place.

Step 2: Glue ribbon to the outside of the box in a hanging loop shape. Fold another piece of ribbon in half and glue it to the bottom of the inner tray to create a handle for sliding it in and out.

Step 3: Draw a tooth shape on paper, cut it out, and trace it onto the white felt twice. Cut out the teeth and face details.

Step 4: Decorate the teeth with the eyes and cheeks and draw on a mouth. Glue one tooth to the outside of the box.

Step 5: Create a tooth pocket by applying glue to the sides and bottom of the remaining tooth as shown, leaving an opening at the top. Glue the pocket to the inside tray. Once the glue dries, the box is Tooth Fairy-ready.

Now your child can put the tooth inside the inner pocket and hang it outside their door before they go to bed!

We hope you enjoy making your Tooth Fairy Box!

- Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, our team at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry thought we'd share a few good oral hygiene tips with our patients, courtesy of the American Dental Association, or ADA.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush, using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.
• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and place between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.
• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruits and cheese and avoid sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, make sure to brush after doing so.
• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these beverages create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. When drinking one of these beverages, avoid sipping on it throughout the day. Rather, have a drink and then brush your teeth.
• Regular dental visits: You should visit us regularly (approximately every six months).

National Children's Dental Health Month, now in its 61st year, aims to increase awareness about the importance of kids' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry, please feel free to give us a call!

Debunking the rumors about swallowed gum

At Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry we know the rumors going around—mostly among young people—that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

Time to Replace Your Toothbrush-Cold and Flu Season is Here!

Winter is officially here, and with it comes the dreaded cold and flu season. After recovering from your cold, our team at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry will tell you one of the most important steps you can take to avoid becoming reinfected is replacing your toothbrush!

Germs are known to linger on the bristles, and you risk prolonging your sickness by continuing to use the same toothbrush. Be smart - keep a spare, just in case! To protect your toothbrush from bacteria all year long, consider the following tips:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing
• Allow the brush to air dry after each use, harmful bacteria dies after being exposed to oxygen
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position to allow water to drain and dry faster
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Worn bristles are less effective in properly cleaning your teeth, and can actually be damaging to teeth if used too long!

We hope these tips help! Feel free to call us at Morrow, Lai & Edwards Pediatric Dentistry if you have any questions or ask us on Facebook.

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!

Meet Our Dentists

Dr. Mark Morrow is actively involved in continuing his education and regularly attend AAPD meetings, receiving more than 20 hours of training each year. He was fortunate to have attended Baylor College of Dentistry for his residency, where he was exposed to almost everything one could experience in pediatric dentistry. That, combined with annual continuing education, allows Dr. Morrow to fully utilize his knowledge to better assist the children within the practice. Dr. Morrow serves on the consulting staff at Claremore Comprehensive Indian Health Center and St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.

Dr. Morrow has lived in Tulsa all of his life and is married to his wife, Susan. They have a son, Matt, Daughter in-law, Emily, and daughter, Stacy. They have also rescued a black Standard Poodle named Paris. In his free time he enjoys fly fishing, golfing, traveling, and watching Oklahoma State football and basketball.


As a pediatric dentist, Dr. April Lai's focus is developing young patients with excellent oral health and habits and positive attitudes towards receiving dental care. She truly loves working with children and seeing the sense of accomplishment and pride that a child has after completing dental treatment. Dr. Lai believes in the importance of education and prevention in the office, as well as being a good role model to the youth in her community.

Dr. Lai lives in Tulsa with her husband, Joseph Lai, who practices orthodontics in the Tulsa community. They have three wonderful children, Cooper, Olivia, and Fisher, and a Black Lab named Jake. She really enjoys spending time with her family. With three young children, the Lai family's leisure time is filled with bike riding, playing outside, and helping mommy cook. When Dr. Lai does have free time, she likes to run and attempt Pilates. She recently started running with some of the office staff and finds it to be great for the body, mind, and soul. She is a member of Church of the Madalene Catholic Church and is involved with and volunteers at her son's school. She is also involved in Emergency Infant Services and Catholic Charities.


As the newest member of the team, Dr. Kerry Edwards feels extremely honored to have joined a practice with such an outstanding reputation in the community. As a pediatric dentist and a mom, she tries to always remember that children don't have the same comfort zones or anxiety levels and she tries to treat her patients as she would treat her own children. Dr. Edwards enjoys providing excellent oral healthcare to children and feeling like she is truly making a difference in their lives. Watching her patients grow up and gain confidence makes this a very rewarding career.

Dr. Edwards is a native of Muskogee and now lives in Jenks with her husband, Eric, and their children, Will, Lizzy, and Annabelle. She enjoys attending her children's activities, TSC Soccer, Jenks Football, Sooner Football, as well as scrap booking, running, and exercising. She is a member of Madalene Catholic Church and is involved in supporting the Catholic Charities Organization in the Tulsa area.