By Emily Hahn, DDS
A smile is one of the most important things your child will ever wear, but that smile is at risk of getting injured if your child plays sports. Studies have found that around 32 percent of all facial/dental traumas are sports related. Unfortunately, those dental injuries are not simple fixes for a dentist, and not only do these injuries cause pain, but also the lifetime cost of a severely injured tooth —not teeth — can be as much as $20,000. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent these injuries (and expenses).
Batter up! A new destination opening soon at Westport Plaza gives visitors a new perspective on America's favorite pastime. The Rawlings Experience, scheduled to open April 12, features baseball memorabilia, unique photo opps, custom gear and an in-depth look at the history of the number one baseball brand in the world.
The City of St. Louis and Forest Park Forever will break ground on new basketball courts Nov. 7. The site will include two full courts, two half courts, dark sky compliant lighting, a shade pavilion, 35 new trees, player benches and more.
The statistics on growing obesity among children may get your heart pumping in panic, but that won’t help your little ones if they’re getting bigger than they should. What’s a mom worried about high cholesterol, diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses to do?
By Dr. Piyush Srivastava
Poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health is one of the world’s most significant health burdens. Contrary to popular perception, poor MSK health is not just about aging. It often originates in childhood and adolescent physical development – 90% of bone density is achieved by 18-20 years. Physical activity during childhood and adolescence is critical for developing good lifelong MSK health and the associated physical, mental health, and other well-being benefits.
Growing up in the '80s, there were few things I loved more than a round of mini-golf. Was I any good? No. Did I make even a weak attempt to abide by the rules? Oh heck no. The only thing I loved more than spending an evening wandering around a miniature golf course was spending an evening cheating on a miniature golf course (sorry, Mom and Dad). As another school year draws to a close, I propose it's time to introduce our children to the simple joy of taking 17 strokes to get a small, neon green ball up a gentle slope and through the spinning blades of a windmill. You'll find plenty of putt-putt options to keep your little "ace" entertained this summer in St. Louis.
Looking for an inclusive camp experience? Several St. Louis-area organizations offer camps that are dedicated to meeting the needs of all children. Note that registration for many of the camps below opens in January, and camps fill quickly.
If your little elves get a little restless between Christmas and New Year’s, register for one of the area’s many fun winter break camps, where kids can skate, explore and create!
Dr. Terra Blatnik, a pediatric orthopedic specialist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
In St. Louis, all eyes have been on the rink for the last few months. The Blues have inspired many young kids to want to learn to skate and play hockey after watching their on-ice heroics. My 3-year-old has been begging for ice skates and a hockey stick! I’m sure many other kids in the area have also been wanting to be just like O’Reilly or Tarasenko and have been asking about starting to play hockey. How safe is hockey? Do I need to be worried if my child falls in love with the sport?
Sure, we all know your favorite sports team is your child’s team, but let’s say they don’t have an upcoming game and neither the Cardinals nor the Blues are in town. If you still want to witness the thrill of competition, the St. Louis area has a plethora of hometown teams that put on exciting games. Oftentimes, the players are accessible and interactive, too! Take some time to see all our area has to offer in local sports teams.