COVID-19 Statement

logo

Parenting

Preventing Decay with Fluoride – by California Dental Association

by

Preventing Decay with Fluoride
What is fluoride (flor-ahyd)?

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally present in different amounts in almost all foods and water. Fluoride is also used in many dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.

How does fluoride help stop cavities?

Fluoride works in two ways: topically and systemically. Topical fluorides (meaning fluoride put right on the teeth) strengthen teeth that are in the mouth. As fluoride washes over the tooth surface, it is added into the outer surface of the tooth, making it stronger which protects teeth from cavities. Topical fluoride also helps protect and make the root surfaces less sensitive by adding fluoride into the naturally occurring “softer” root surface.

Systemic fluorides are those that are swallowed via food and water and are used by the body when the teeth are forming. If fluoride is taken regularly during the time when teeth are forming (6 months to 6 years-old), it will be added into the enamel layer (outer layer of the tooth) as they develop, creating a stronger, more cavity resistant tooth. Systemic fluorides also protect teeth topically; fluoride is in saliva, which is always washing over the teeth. Fluoride can help the tooth repair itself where it may have been damaged by acids early in the cavity process.

How can I get fluoride?

Topical fluoride comes from toothpaste, mouth rinses, gels, and varnishes which are placed directly on the teeth. Children are usually provided with topical fluoride at their dental checkups. Topical fluoride is one of the best ways to get fluoride to teeth. If you or your child has cavities or teeth that are sensitive to cold, your CDA member dentist may give you a product that has more fluoride than products you buy at the store.

Systemic fluoride is available by drinking tap water that either has naturally occurring fluoride or has had fluoride added to help fight cavities. In communities without fluoridated water, people can
purchase bottled water that has fluoride or your CDA dentist or your child’s pediatrician can prescribe fluoride tablets or vitamins. Remember, the fluoride must be swallowed to have systemic effects.

Who benefits from fluoride?

Everyone can benefit from fluoride’s ability to help stop cavities. Almost 60% of people living in California have fluoridated drinking water. If your community is considering fluoridating its water supply, supporting these efforts helps not only you and your children, but everyone in the community.

If some fluoride is good, is more fluoride better?

The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 60 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations, including the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association, The American Medical Association, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Public Health Service and the World Health Organization.

However, as with all substances we swallow, there are safe levels, levels that are the best for our overall health, and levels that are not good. When too much fluoride is taken, a condition called dental fluorosis can result. While dental fluorosis is not harmful, it can cause your child’s teeth to have brown or white spots.

Parents should be aware of the sources of systemic fluoride. If your community water supply is fluoridated at “optimal” or the perfect level to help prevent cavities, then your children should not take fluoride tablets or fluoride vitamins. Additionally, young children (those who cannot spit after brushing their teeth) should only use a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste so that they do not swallow too much fluoride.

What to remember?

Fluoride alone will not prevent cavities; it is only one part of what is needed for strong teeth and good oral health. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, eat a balanced diet, and limit how often you snack in between meals, especially on sweet and sticky foods. Visit your CDA member dentist regularly.

https://gatewaytucson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/fluoride_english.pdf

For information specific to fluoride usage in our community, feel free to contact Margarete Perry (520) 724-7902 at the Pima County Health Department’s First Smiles Matter program, to schedule a meeting or lunch and Learn for medical and dental professionals.

Postpartum Complications

by

Your baby is here, but your body is still vulnerable. It is important to be on the lookout for postpartum complications.

Moms need to remain aware of our own bodies in the days and weeks after you give birth. Many postpartum signs are completely normal after delivery but some are not.  It is normal to feel tired and have some overall soreness if you had a long or difficult labor and delivery. Some bleeding and/or small dark clots, incisional discomfort or perineal pain can be common as well. You may notice little contractions as your uterus is going back to normal. Depending on how breastfeeding is going, some nipple tenderness is common but if pain persists, cracks, bleeding or blisters appear, seek out additional help. Sleep deprivation and hormone level changes may also leave you feeling more emotional than usual, this is normal.  If you can’t seem to shake these feelings, please reach out to your health care provider, OB, Midwife or Mental Health Provider (www.https://psychiatrytucson.com/)

If you had ANY complications during your pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes), your hospital stay (postpartum hemorrhage or deep vein thrombosis) or have a family history of (diabetes, heart, respiratory or genetic conditions) your OB or Midwife should have given you discharge instructions to be on alert for.  PLEASE pay close attention to them.

Pay close attention to these postpartum complications discussed by Dr Jennifer Howell, D.O., FACOOG, Board Certified OB/GYN at Ironwood OBGYN (https://www.genesisobgyn.net/) and Colleen Laszakovits, RN-BSN, CPD, CLE, owner of Your Family’s Journey (http://www.yourfamilysjourney.com/)

Some symptoms can be signs of a more serious postpartum complication and you should contact your provider right away:

  • heavy bleeding, soaking more than one pad an hour or bright red bleeding AFTER it has stopped
  • large blood clots larger than an orange
  • bad headache that doesn’t go away after taking medications
  • blurred vision
  • red or swollen leg/calf that feels warm or painful to touch
  • fever over 101
  • opening up of, severe pain or redness and discharge from a cesarean section incision
  • sustained rapid heart rate
  • weakness
  • dizziness/feeling of fainting
  • any severe pain
  • redness/streaks/warmth/severe pain on breast(s)
  • Persistent anxiety, depression, OCD
  • If you can’t sleep, have no appetite or feel that you are not bonding with your baby

Call 911 if you are experiencing:

  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • seizures
  • having thoughts of harming yourself or your child

 

Some of these symptoms might not be as serious but your health care provider would rather see you and make sure nothing dangerous is happening, plus you will be reassured.  Protect your health and don’t be afraid to speak up, share your medical history, be proactive and KEEP all scheduled postpartum check-ups.

 

Postpartum Virtual Support from My Home to Yours

by

Postpartum virtual support with Colleen is just 1 click, a phone call, email, text, zoom or FaceTime message away.

The postpartum period is REAL. Hands on in-home support may not be feasible, quite yet, but hoping to return soon!  Stay tuned.  Your Family’s Journey (www.yourfamilysjourney.com) is finding new ways to reach, impact, educate and support families during their 4th trimester through postpartum virtual support.

Our families have already let us know what a difference postpartum virtual support has made for their family during these challenging times.

Breastfeeding Virtual Support

“This is my second baby with Colleen, knowing that I could reach out whenever I had a question and she had a solution, was priceless. She checked in daily and even reminded me of things we had talked about before.“

“I was worried that breastfeeding might be a tad challenging via text and FaceTime, but Colleen worked closely with me until I felt comfortable and my pain was gone.”

“I am newly pregnant, not due for several months, but have already emailed Colleen her signed contract back.  She has graciously already answered all my questions and checks in on my regularly.”

Interested in daily postpartum virtual support, check ins or Q & A time with a postpartum expert?

Look no further.  Colleen can help with ALL your questions and concerns plus help you set realistic expectations for yourself and your new baby.  She can help you with what is normal and when you should be concerned? Let’s talk feeding strategies: breast feeding, bottle feeding, pumping, paced feeding, etc. How are things going with your partner and you?  Siblings? Other family members? Are you nervous about wearing your baby and just need some reassurance, let’s talk.  Colleen will also address your emotional well being and help you process all the new changes.

You are not alone! Colleen has spent over 20 years working with postpartum families and she is excited to support you through these quarantine times.  Reach out today at 520-440-8446 or send her an email at yourfamilysjourney@gmail.com.   For more information on other amazing pregnancy and parenting resources, check out www.gatewaytucson.com.

 

5 Things Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know

by

What does your child’s pediatrician want you to know during this pandemic?

  1. Vaccines, vaccines, vaccines, vaccines, vaccines: this really could be all 5 things.  Nationally during the months of March and April, the number of vaccines given to children against measles dropped by 50% (and pretty much all other vaccines have followed the same pattern).  At our office, it dropped by 25% and we’re working hard to get those numbers back up.  Measles is an illness that needs just a slight drop in immunization rates to regain a foothold and start to cause outbreaks, and a measles outbreak is the last thing we need right now.  There has also been an increase in cases of whooping cough in Tucson recently.  As pediatricians start to see more patients, if your child is due for a vaccine please make an appointment as soon as possible to get your child up to date.

 

  1. Testing: there’s a lot a buzz around COVID-19 testing.  There are PCR tests and new antigen tests coming out that are done on nasal swabs.  There are antibody tests that are done on blood samples. There are rapid tests of all three varieties available at various places, though generally none of the rapid tests are available at your pediatrician’s office (the companies will only sell them to large buyers like Walgreens).  Almost NONE of these tests have been properly vetted to ensure they are actually accurate.  And even the most accurate ones will have a high rate of false positives in a community like ours that has not had a lot of actual cases.  So think twice about seeking out a test without consulting your pediatrician first.

 

  1. Safety: pediatricians are taking extreme precautions to make it safe to come to their offices.  Most are seeing only well kids in the mornings and saving sick visits for the afternoon, doing telemedicine visits to keep most sick kids at home, using personal protective equipment, sanitizing more frequently, avoiding use of the waiting room, etc.  If you want to know what your pediatrician is doing, check their website or give them a call.  mesquitepediatrics.com

 

  1. Social Distancing: even with the economy opening back up, this is extremely important.  We are not anywhere close to being rid of this virus and we are learning that even previously healthy children can become critically ill or die from it.  Wear a mask when you go out, avoid gatherings as much as you can, and avoid unnecessary trips to stores (try to get several days’ worth of food when you go to the grocery store instead of going frequently).  On the other hand, humans are social animals.  We need interaction so make sure you are connecting with people online and at least occasionally in person with appropriate precautions.

 

  1. Small businesses: please support small businesses.  Many are hurting, including lots of the members of Gateway Tucson, but also your local bakery, restaurant, and other locally-owned stores.  If you are in a financial position to do so, please patronize these businesses when you can.  If they don’t get our support now, many of them will disappear as we emerge from this crisis which will be a great loss to our diverse community.

 

Oh, and one more thing:  stay healthy and safe!

 

The Doctors at Mesquite Pediatrics

The Pandemic of COVID-19: A lesson to our kids that we are all connected

by

https://youtu.be/dV4CWsEj6nE

I didn’t understand– most of us didn’t– exactly how it would feel to prepare for a pandemic to sweep through. On Friday afternoon our team naturopathic physician, Dr. Sage, attended a special seminar hosted by the Arizona Department of Health Services about COVID-19 (aka. Novel Coronavirus). On Monday, Dr. Sage and I began putting together a statement for our team and our clients as well as a protocol for increasing cleaning measures in our office. By Tuesday, we became aware that a confirmed case of the virus is now in our county. And for the last couple of days we’ve been working out the details of a plan in case our team members or clients are quarantined. It’s been a whirlwind, but now we’re just waiting and thinking a lot about what’s to come. The spread of COVID-19 is a reminder and a lesson on how interconnected we all are at both global and local levels… for better or worse.

Checking in on Coronavirus

  •  

As a pediatric practice, most of our clients are children and young adults who seem to be the least impacted by the virus. This is a relief certainly. Yet, we believe in a community-based model of healing and wellbeing, which means that each of us– old, young, healthy and sick– has a responsibility to others. It’s up to all of us to make efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to respond with compassion to those who are suffering because of it.

Most of the kiddos we see are spending their days at school in what is often akin to a petri dish no matter how well school personnel clean. Many kids have or will get COVID-19 and they will very likely be fine. However, in order to be a part of protecting others in their community, they do need to understand that there is a virus coming through. They need to understand also that each of us could unwittingly spread it to others.

Looking for support in talking to your kids about COVID-19?

I encourage you to talk to your children about COVID-19 in a measured, compassionate and rational way. There’s some excellent content out there about how to do so that I’m linking below. My biggest tip is to monitor your own anxiety about it and be certain that your anxiety feels manageable in the moment(s) you have this conversation with your children. Filter their news intake and your own for that matter, as well. And don’t forget to talk to them about what they can do to help protect their community.

We can help support you in talking to your child about COVID-19 and if your child already has a provider, don’t hesitate to let them know that you would like this support.

If you notice that your child seems to be experiencing particularly big worry about COVID-19, it’s not generally helpful to tell them simply not to worry. Katie Hurley, a licensed clinical social worker who works with children, recently summed this up on her social media.

“During the past few days of therapy sessions, a number of kids have said something like this: Grownups are telling me not to worry because it only gets old people, but what about my grandparents? Will they be okay? …It’s up to us to help kids work through their anxious thoughts. Kids never ever stop worrying simply because adults say, ‘don’t worry.’ That’s not how worrying works.” — Katie Hurley, LCSW

What steps is Intuition Wellness Center taking to protect our community?

  1. Limiting exposures. We are asking that if you have symptoms, please do not come in for your appointments. In fact, stay home altogether. Call or email us and let us know if you have a fever or cough. Our team members are working hard to stay healthy and will be staying home if they have symptoms. Medical facilities are reserving tests for only those with severe symptoms, so, unfortunately, there will be no way for many of us to truly confirm if it’s COVID-19 rather than just a cold. Telehealth may be an option for your OT or therapy sessions if it’s clinically appropriate and it will definitely be an option for naturopathic medical sessions.
  2. Keeping a clean space. We’ve given each team member additional cleaning options and we’ve asked them to up their cleaning protocol. We’re also pulling out some of the non-essential play items and fabric items in our center so that we can concentrate our cleaning efforts. Lastly, we’ve also asked our nighttime cleaning crew to increase their efforts.
  3. Handwashing. You’ve heard it a million times now, but this may be one of the most important tips. Wash your hands… wash your hands… wash your hands. Simple soap and water is very effective at killing COVID-19. We’ve added a hand washing station and reminders and tips to make it more enjoyable for children. Please wash your hands when you arrive in our center to protect yourself and others.

Read our full statement about attendance at sessions and our precautions here.

What is the difference between a Vibrational Sound Session and a Sound Bath?

by

I am often asked what the difference is between Vibrational Sound session and a Sound Bath. The simplest explanation is a Vibrational Sound session is felt and a Sound Bath is heard. Another difference is a Vibrational Sound session is individual and a Sound Bath is a group activity. Now that I provided two simple definitions, I will go into more details about the two services.

In a Vibrational Sound session, Himalayan bowls are placed on different parts of either the front or the back of the body. When I strike the bowl, a person will feel the vibration of the bowl. The vibrations are felt directly where the bowl is placed and can travel to other parts of the body. You may not hear the bowls being played, but you will feel it. Most people enter a meditative state or fall asleep during a session. Why?

The vibrations of the bowls start relaxing your muscles and gradually reduce your heart rate and breathing.  Therefore, a person feels very relaxed and maybe sleepy.  A Sound Bath is a musical performance in which the practitioner plays the bowls and gongs for therapeutic reasons. The number of instruments engaged in a sound bath varies; a person may hear Himalayan bowls, crystal bowls, gongs, drums and chimes. The practitioner really decides on how many and what type of instruments are played.

A popular type of Sound Bath is a Gong Bath in which only gongs are used.I perform Sound Baths using Himalayan and crystal bowls with gongs. As I mentioned earlier, a Sound Bath is heard; a Sound Bath is a person being bathed in sound waves. The different musical instruments create various sound waves felt throughout the room. Thus, I often describe it as a person is floating in an ocean of sound waves. You can enjoy a Sound Bath in either a public or private setting.

I hold weekly Sound Baths on Thursday evenings at 6 pm.

Find Serenity Holistic Touch, LLC                                                                                        3101 N Swan Road, Tucson,AZ. 85712                                                                        Email: lisa@serenityholistictouch.com

Say Hello & Connect

Facebook-f

Find Help On

Blog

FAQs