---We now recommend that children come in for their first dental visit at age two (we previously recommended age three).  If you can reason with your child and he or she can follow instructions (like sitting still for a few minutes), your child is probably ready for a first “happy visit” to our office.

---Children under age three should be encouraged to brush their teeth with a moist toothbrush (no toothpaste---kids in this age group will swallow too much fluoride because they’ll try to “eat” the toothpaste).  Parents should be brushing their children’s teeth with a very small smear of toothpaste on a baby toothbrush.  Use a small child’s toothbrush (we have samples in the office) and a pea-sized amount of 

toothpaste for children age three to five.  

There are many factors that make it difficult to determine exactly how much fluoride is just right for your child.  If your child is drinking exclusively bottled spring water or there is no fluoride in your drinking water, you probably need fluoride drops or chewable pills to supplement fluoride intake.  If you pay your water bill to Chester Water Authority, your water should be properly fluoridated, as is Media Water.  Most Aqua Pennsylvania-supplied water is not fluoridated.  It’s always best to call the water company to check.

Two choices

Thanks to my dad for sending me this story. 

A father and his son Shay were walking through a park. Shay, who was  physically and mentally handicapped, knew some boys who were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"

Shay struggled over to the  team's bench and put on a team shirt with a broad smile. His father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son's being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth, Shay put on a glove and played in right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.  In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now,  with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential  winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, did they let Shay bat and give up their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so that Shay could at least be able to make contact. 

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow grounder to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and purposely threw the ball over the head of the first baseman. Everyone in the stands and both teams started yelling, Shay, run to first! Never before had Shay run so hard. He made it to first.

Everyone yelled,  "Run to second, run to second." Catching his breath, Shay ran towards second, glowing and struggling to make it. By the time Shay rounded second base, the rightfielder, the smallest guy on their team, had the ball. It was his chance to be the hero for his team for the first time, but he understood the pitcher's intentions, so he also intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.

Shay ran towards third base as the runners ahead of him circled the bases towards home. By now,  everyone was screaming,  "Shay, Shay, All The Way." The opposing shortstop turned Shay toward home, Shay ran home and stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit a 'grand slam' and won the game for his team.

That day, said his father, with tears running down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of

true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy.