Safety first this winter! From Dr. Keel and Dr. Ryan

Winter is officially here, and with it comes not only the holiday season, but also sometimes unpredictable weather. This week, Dr. Ryan, Dr. Keel and team would like to share a few winter safety tips for all of our holiday travelers. We found these tips on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website, and they include everything from what to wear outdoors to tips for winter snow sports. Safe travels to all of those families taking advantage of winter break!

• Older babies and young children should generally be dressed in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions
• Several thin clothing layers will keep an infant or child dry and warm. Warm boots, gloves, mittens, and a hat are necessities!
• A cold air humidifier, saline nose drops, and petrolatum will help a child that suffers from winter nosebleeds.
• It is important for children to wash their hands frequently, and to use the bend of their elbow if they need to sneeze or cough to prevent the spread of colds and flu.
• Never ski or snowboard alone. Adults should supervise young children participating in winter sports.
• When sledding, it is preferable to separate young children from older children, and to avoid crowded areas.
• The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.

We hope that these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe and sound this winter season. Please give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next appointment at Grin Pediatric Dentistry.

Ask Dr. Ryan: When should my child visit Grin Pediatric Dentistry?

A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive, say Drs. Ryan and Keel. 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 can fear the unknown. And that's precisely why the team at Grin Pediatric Dentistry makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children 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.

For more information on the advantages of pediatric dentistry at our office, please visit our web site. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment and have a great rest of the week!