February 21st, 2012
Monday marks Presidents’ Day, a day known for celebrating of both George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s combined Birthdays. Presidents’ Day was created in 1971, when President Richard Nixon combined the birthdays of two of our most well-known presidents into one single federal holiday. Presidents' Day also marks a hard-earned day off from work and school for a lot of our patients at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry.
Here are a few fun facts about our nation’s presidents:
*Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, carried letters, bills and notes in his tall stovepipe hat.
*George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.
*Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, broke the so-called "20-year curse," in which every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office.
*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents, measuring 6’ 4” tall.
*Virginia is the birthplace of more United States presidents than any other state, followed by Ohio and Massachusetts.
*Harry S. Truman was the first president to have his Inauguration and speeches televised.
February 16th, 2012
Drs. Pamela Clark and Suha Reddy and our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry wanted to share an important message from the FDA:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to parents, caregivers, consumers, and dental care professionals about reports of serious injuries and potential hazards associated with the use of all models of the Spinbrush -- specifically the Arm & Hammer or Crest Spinbrush. Reports warned that while turned on, the brush head has either "popped off" or broken off in the user's mouth or near the face, causing cuts to the mouth and gums, chipped or broken teeth, swallowing and choking on the broken pieces, and injuries to the face and eyes.
The manufacturers of the Spinbrush have added a safety warning to the packaging and taken other steps to lessen the risk since the FDA began investigating complaints about the toothbrushes last year, a news release stated.
Advice to Parents, Caregivers and Consumers
• Before using the Spinbrush, inspect it for any damage or loose brush bristles. If you find any, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight, which can be reached toll-free at (800) 352-3384 or (800) 561-0752.
• Make sure the brush head is connected tightly to the brush handle, and test the brush outside of your mouth before using. If the connection feels loose or the brush head easily detaches from the handle, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight.
• Use care not to bite down on the brush head while brushing.
• To prevent injuries, always supervise children and adults who may need assistance when using the Spinbrush.
• Follow the instructions and recommended replacement guidelines included with the Spinbrush.
• Report injuries or problems with the Spinbrush to MedWatch-FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program -- either online (http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch), by regular mail, by fax or by phone.
• Regular Mail: Use postage-paid, pre-addressed FDA form 3500 (http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch)
• Fax: (800) FDA-0178
• Phone: (800) 332-1088
For more information on the risks and how to avoid them, read the FDA Consumer Fact Sheet here.
February 15th, 2012
Our team at Pearland Pediatric Dentistry recently read a fascinating article about the connection between asthma and drinking soft drinks from The Guardian. According to a recent study, the consumption of too many soft drinks can increase your risk of developing asthma or the severe breathing condition Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).
The article states, "Researchers in Australia examined the health and soft drink consumption of 16,907 people aged 16 and over in South Australia during 2008-2010.
One in 10 drank at least half a litre of soft drinks every day, they found.
"The amount of soft drink consumption is associated with an increased chance of asthma and/or COPD. There exists a dose-response relationship, which means the more soft drink one consumes, the higher the chance of having these diseases", the researchers, led by Zumin Shi of Adelaide University, report in the journal Respirology."
The research found that "13.3% of those studied who had asthma and 15.6% of those suffering with COPD said they drank more than half a litre of such drinks every day."
What's the lesson from this interesting article? Consume less soft drinks! Not only are they bad for teeth, but they are also bad for your overall health. If you have any questions about the article or your child's oral health, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!
February 9th, 2012
For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Each February thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Pamela Clark and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited Pearland Pediatric Dentistry in the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!
