Keep Those Smiles Safe This Spring

Spring break has passed and once again our patients are ready to begin the spring sports season! April is National Facial Protection month and because many of our patients are active athletes, the staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists encourages spring sports safety. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent we want to remind everyone to play it safe during organized sports to help prevent serious facial injuries that can take the fun out of the game.

Here are 4 pieces of equipment you can add to your sports bag to stay safe during the sports season.

1. MOUTH GUARDS. A mouth guard is less expensive than an injury, and not painful to your mouth or wallet. Keep your smile safe and prevent your orthodontic appliances from injury by habitually wearing a mouth guard during sports.

2. HELMETS. Helmets can greatly prevent damage to the head so be sure to always wear one when necessary.

3. PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR. Keep your 20/20 vision with sports eyewear that will keep your vision clear and your game at its best.

4. FACE SHIELDS. If you are a hockey, football, or baseball player face shields can prevent severe damage to your face.

These are all great accessories to have when playing sports. This equipment can prevent impact and damage to your head and mouth, all while not interfering with your MVP skills on the field. For more information on mouth guards or how to keep your teeth safe during sports, contact Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach.

We Support World Autism Month

Pediatric Dental Specialists is taking part in the world-wide support for Autism this month! If you’re unaware, April is WOLRD AUTISM MONTH, so we want to go full force with our patients to support the amazing charity Autism Speaks. 

What is Autism Speaks?

Autism Speaks is a charity with the goal to increase the public understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder.  Aside from the amazing outcome of this charity, they are famous for their “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Wear blue to your appointments in April to show your support for Autism Speaks.

What is Autism? The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional.

Autism is defined as, "a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts."

Facts about autism according to Autism Speaks

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
• An estimated 50,000 teens with autism become adults – and lose school-based autism services – each year.
• Around one third of people with autism remain nonverbal.
• Around one third of people with autism have an intellectual disability.
• Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.

How can you join us in supporting Autism Speaks?

Because Pediatric Dental Specialists is a check-in 4 charity member, you can show support for Autism speaks by checking-in on Facebook at our office. Each time you check-in participate in our donation to Autism Speaks in April. Another fun way to get involved is to wear blue at your April appointments!