Tag: #water

Smile! February is Children’s Dental Health Month!

This is a month long national holiday committing to educating children on proper oral health. It brings together dental professionals, health care workers, and teachers to promote the benefits of good oral health within children. For 2021, the National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)’s particular theme is “Water, Nature’s Drink!”. 

Tips for maintaining children’s dental health: 

  1. Schedule routine dental check ups. If it has been more than 6 months since their last visit, schedule an appointment 
  2. Teach them how to floss their teeth. Then, they can teach you the floss dance move in return
  3. Brush twice a day for the appropriate amount of time. 
  4. Snack healthy.  Fruit snacks and sticky candies all are threats to your child’s teeth. Rather than sugary snacks, feed them  calcium-rich snacks like cheese or low-sugar yogurt. If you want to fulfill a sugar craving, ttry eating a chocolate bar which is preferable to gummy or sticky sweets that can get lodged in between the teeth even after brushing.
  1. Drink water! Fruit juices and sodas are very sugary and can be harmful for children’s teeth. Water helps to rinse away any sugar or particles that can lead to cavities.

Resource: (https://childrensdentalhealth.com/february-national-childrens-dental-health-month/

How can I create a lesson plan to teach Children’s dental health: 

Here is a great resource for creating a lesson plan to help educate children as well as learn how you can get involved and spread the word. This site contains poster, coloring activities, and dental information! 

https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month

If you have any questions about dental health, please call the clinic at (901) 306-5433 to schedule an appointment. As always, stay safe and healthy!

-Wellness and Stress Clinic Team 

Bladder Chatter: Tips for taking care of Bladder Health

We may not think about our bladder on a regular basis, but our bodies certainly remind us with every trip to the restroom.  Bladder health month is intended to inform the public about how to best upkeep bladder health, and to increase awareness of potential bladder problems that can develop overtime. There’s no shame in bladder talk. It’s important and natural. So, we encourage you to talk openly! Often people opt to use code terms like “using the bathroom”, “peeing”, “taking a leak”, or “going potty” just to avoid the awkwardness of the topic.  But speak openly and honestly to your doctor if you are experiencing problems. They will understand, and it will help them better evaluate your symptoms. 

Healthy Bladder Tips: 

Here are some things to pay attention to maintain a healthy bladder: 

  1. Water intake

Drink lots of water! Drinking water helps flush your urinary tract and prevent an infection from accumulating.  It is recommended that a person drinks 11-15 cups of water per day.  For women it is recommended to consume 11.5 cups of water, and for men it is recommended around 15 cups of water.  Also, please note that weight, diet, temperature, and activity levels all impact these levels as well. 

  1. Cut down on caffeinated drinks

Coffee, sodas, and alcohol all heighten bladder activity and lead to leakage. Limit the amount consumed and pay attention to their effect on your body. 

  1. Stop smoking 

Smoking has shown a high correlation to bladder cancer. According to statistics, people who smoke are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than a non-smoker. 

  1. Use healthy bathroom habits

Don’t hold it! Holding urine in your bladder for too long can weaken your bladder muscles and make a bladder infection more likely. It is normal to go to the bathroom every 3-4 hours.  Regular use of the bathroom is important.  Also, take enough time when you’re using the bathroom. Don’t rush. If you don’t empty your bladder fully, over time, you could get a bladder infection. For wiping, wipe from front to back.  Specifically, Women should wipe from front to back to keep bacteria from getting into the urethra. 

  1. Urinate after sex 

Both women and men should urinate shortly after sex to flush away bacteria that may have entered the urethra during sex.

  1. Clothing 

Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. Wearing loose, cotton clothing allows air to keep the area around the urethra dry. Clothes like tight-fitting jeans and nylon underwear can trap moisture and help bacteria grow.

If you have any questions about Bladder Health, please call the clinic at (901) 306-5433 to schedule an appointment. As always, stay safe and healthy!

-Wellness and Stress Clinic Team

Resources: 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/13-tips-keep-your-bladder-healthy

https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/care-blog/november-is-bladder-health-month

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-water-should-you-drink-per-day#other-fluids