It's been 7 years but I still remember the prenatal class at Christus Schumpert (MOM PROGRAM) about infant dental care. I was shocked at the importance of caring for teeth we don't even see. The pictures shown were enough to scare me into wiping baby's gums daily and to think twice about giving them too much juice in bottles or sippy cups.

We established a brushing and flossing routine the day the first tooth broke through. It's not always easy when we are in a hurry or past bedtime, but they are learning the importance of caring for their own teeth. 

Luckily, our children liked pacifiers that they gave up. We didn't have to break thumb sucking habits, which I know is extremely difficult for some children (and parents). However, braces may still be in our dental future. Be sure to read the article below from Sanders Graf. He tells us when braces are needed, about advances in braces and how much they cost.

Happy Brushing!
Jennifer@sbfamilies.com

View all 36 events on the Events Calendar>>>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to keep you updated with all the family events, school holidays and more!

SCHOOL CALENDARS  --  CLASSES & SPORTS

HomeRuns, a part of the Reruns Are Fun Sale, is accepting gently used home decor today. Reruns Are Fun Kids is also accepting a mid-week items for consignment. Learn more>>>

Don't forget, Sunday is the 1/2 price sale!

Telephone Book Recycling is a competition between area schools. They compete for cash prizes. This annual program runs January through mid-March.

2009 winners:
Most books per student: 1st Place Evangel Christian, 2nd Place Riverside Elementary, 3rd Place Cathedral School
Most books total:1st Place Caddo Middle Magnet, 2nd Place University Elementary, 3rd Place Calvary Baptist

Is your school participating? If not, it's not too late. Just call Shreveport Green at 318-219-1888 or email them at sg@shreveportgreen.org.

As an adult, I now look back and see pictures of myself as a child and realize that I had a fairly severe case of crowded, not to mention unsightly, teeth. Brace-face would have been a compliment.

Since I am now an orthodontist, I clearly enjoyed the experience more than I expected to. When I think back to those days, I'm struck by how much things have changed. While my peers and I were dreading orthodontia, kids these days are dying to get braces from the time they are 8 or 9 years old! Even the kids with straight teeth want braces! It's confusing when little Jenny in your child's class gets braces at 9 years old, but your child still has 12 baby teeth. Does my child also need braces you might ask? I'm going to address this question as well as some other common questions I get from parents in this article.

1. When does my child need to see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontist, recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist by age 8. The most common reasons for treatment ...more>>>

2. Does my child really NEED braces? Phase I treatments aside, the majority of orthodontic cases are cosmetic. Still, there are certain malocclusions (incorrect bites) in the permanent dentition that can lead to more severe problems down the road if left untreated... more>>>

3. How much will it cost? Most orthodontists have a range of fees based on the difficulty of treatment and the overall expected length of treatment. Expect to pay... more>>>

4. Are their different types of braces? Yes. Options include conventional metal braces, ceramic braces which are less noticeable, clear plastic aligners like Invisalign, and even braces that go on the backside of the teeth. more>>>

Read entire article>>>

Click the article below to read.

• Preventing Cavities
• Make Dental Visits Enjoyable for Your Child & You
• Baby Teeth & Care
• Baby Teeth to Braces
• 7 Tips for Baby Tooth Care

Finding a Dentist and Orthodontist for your child can be overwhelming.  Listed below are some Pediatric Dentists in Shreveport-Bossier based upon parent recommendations: 

• Dr. Sanders Graf
• Dr. Jennifer Cooper
• Dr. Stacy Jones
• Daniel Crawford
• Lauren Wallace
• Shannon Backofen
• Susan Chidlow
• Shreveport-Bossier Family Dental Care
• Dr. Eric LeBlanc
• Nasser Children & Adult Orthodontics

Haven't made plans for spring break yet?  Well, here are some wonderful suggestions for the whole family.  The best part is that most of these are close to home! 

Don't Pitch a Fit, Pitch a Tent: Here are some wonderful places close by to take the family camping!

• Lake Claiborne State Park
• Lake Bistineau State Park
• Cypress Black Bayou Recreation Center
• Lake of the Pines

Animals for Your Animals: Zoo's are a grrr-eat way to spend the day! These are close enough to home to go for the day!

• Dallas Zoo
• Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX
• Alexandria Zoological Park
• Fort Worth Zoo - Oldest Zoo in Texas

Dolls & Divas:Take a trip over to Dallas to the Galleria for a complete day of girly fun!

• Ice Skating Center & PlayPlace - The skating rink is nestled between stores and restaurants for your convenience. The Playplace jungle is the perfect "playground" for the youngest guests.
• American Doll Store - Shop, Dine and give your doll a new "do!'

All Aboard:Take your train lovers for a ride!

• Amtrak Texas Eagle: Ride the Amtrak train from Marshall to Dallas.
• Historic Jefferson Train : Ride the rails through Jefferson, Texas on a locomotive!

FREE Tuition for Harvard University!

If your family earns less than $60,000 a year and has an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free... no tuition and no student loans!

Learn more at:
http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.