Back-To-School Smiles we LOVE!

We love these precious back-to-school smiles from this month's contest! We love our patients and friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Clever Ways to Help Your Child Give Up the Paci

During a child's first few years, sucking habits probably won't damage his or her mouth. But frequent and long-term sucking can cause problems. This is especially true if the habit continues after baby teeth start to fall out. Long-term sucking can cause...

• The top front teeth to slant out
• The bottom front teeth to tilt in
• The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned
• The roof of the mouth to be narrower side to side

Here are some very clever ways to help your child give up the paci and avoid any serious dental problems in the future.

1. TIE IT TO A BALLOON

Tell your child you're sending it to explore space, or to live on a cloud, depending on which you think he'll buy.

2. TRADE IT IN FOR A TOY

If he gathers up all his pacis, he can pick out any toy (maybe limit it to one he can carry himself!). Be sure to warn the cashier that he'll be "paying" in pacis while you slip her your credit card. 

3. SEND IT TO A NEW BABY

It can be a relative or the infant of whatever distant friend most recently sent you an announcement. Say, "Look! A new baby - that means she needs your pacis, since you're a big kid now."

4. LEAVE IT FOR THE PACI FAIRY

She's friends with the tooth fairy, and brings prizes.

5. BURY IT 

If you can slip some marigold seeds in there, he'll think his paci sprouted flowers.

6. DECLARE BIG KID DAY 

It's in two weeks, and every day from now until then is a big, exciting countdown to the day he puts away the paci and gets cake and ice cream.

7. ADD IT TO A BUILD-A-BEAR 

Have them sew it right inside, so your child knows he can still have it nearby.

8. BRING IT TO THE FIRE STATION 

Or the doctor: The key is to tell your child that they collect pacis from big kids. They'll play along.

9. PHASE IT OUT 

First, you allow it only in the car and at home. Then, only at home. Then, only at bedtime. Then, only as he's falling asleep (you have to sneak it out of the room when he's sleeping and it's fallen out). Then, you have to hope he doesn't care about it quite so much.

10. THROW IT OUT 

When all else fails, round up every one you can find, and stuff them in the garbage in the dead of night.

Sources: Colgate and Parenting.com 

Entries in our May *GET ACTIVE* CONTEST!

Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful and adorable entries showing our little friends staying active and having fun! They were all just too cute so we decided to randomly choose 3 winners. The first winner drawn wins the 3-month community wide family membership to the YMCA. The second winner drawn wins a Cranium Brain Breaks Game with 200 One-Minute Mini Games for kids. The third winner drawn wins the DVD "ToothFairy." We wish we could come up with enough prizes for each and every one of you. Know that we loved all of them and appreciate you all so very much! Stay tuned for June's contest coming up soon for another chance to win! 

WINNER #1: Owen Swimming!

WINNER #2: Climbing trees at the Louisville Zoo & playing at Sam Peden's Park in New Albany!

Winner #3: Fun on the monkey bars! 

And all of the other adorable entries we received! You're all winners in our book! 

"Rub a dub dub, 4 boys in a....pool? :)"

 Biking and swinging while playing outside!

Riding bikes down by the falls and on the OFF Chopper!

 Chasing after the kite flown by Grandma! 

Riding his hand pedal bike but making time for a pit stop to share some puppy love! 

Playing in the creek - crossing the creek in the woods!

Esther playing ball and swinging on the playground!

George batting for the first time at his first game!

  Lizzie showing off her Derby hat!

Caleb picking strawberries at Huber's and climbing the "spider web," his favorite attraction at the park!

Playing in the sprinkler and first day on the new bike!  

Anna where she feels most "at home" - playing soccer on the soccer field!

Bella hiking outside and riding her brand new bike! 

The girls testing for their 4th level belt in karate! 

Upside Down Fun and First Bike Ride!