Our office might be closed temporarily, but we at Hersch Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics are still here to support you and your family. We believe staying informed and safe is one of the most powerful tools during this trying and unique time.
In the US alone, as of April 1st, 2020, there are over 190,000 reported case in the US of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
An easy way to ward off any virus:
According to health experts, staying hydrated can limit the risk of contracting the virus. Keeping your body hydrated is just one of many ways to stay as healthy as possible. A healthy person needs 30 to 50 ounces of fluids per day, which helps maintain the function of every system in your body including your heart, brain and muscles. Water is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated, but water can also be found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. Per the CDC, COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water, as most conventional water treatment methods use filtration and disinfection that should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, tap water is safe to drink, in addition to bottled water.
Per the ADA, drinking water and staying hydrated is also good for your oral health. Drinking water can help your teeth fight against tooth decay, washes away food and other residues that might be left behind on your teeth and helps prevent dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. Drinking water can also help produce bacteria-fighting saliva that can help reduce the chances of gum disease.
Our easy to implement tips:
Here are a few tips to keep your children (and yourself) hydrated…
- Purchase a fun water bottle for them to keep with them. Incorporate straws with wacky colors and shapes to keep them interested.
- Turn it into a game, like the water challenge, where you mark lines on a water bottle with times of the day, so they have to drink a certain amount of water by a certain time of the day.
- Eat fruits and vegetables, as they contain water, vitamins and minerals to keep the body hydrated. You can also get creative, and make fruit or vegetable designs by cutting them in bite-sized pieces and putting them on skewers.
- Lead by example, and consistently drink water in the presence of your child or children to show them that water is your drink of choice.
To protect your families and ours, we will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow local, state and federal guidelines.
We are taking this week by week and will make updates and changes as needed.
