The Parenting Biz: The School Of Life

HEALTH MATTERS THE PARENTING BIZ Cooped Up And Nowhere To Go? Curb COVID-19 Cabin Fever With These Tips

Supplied By The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The good weather is here so get your child outside exercising and in the fresh air as much as possible. Have a ball — soccer, basketball, football, baseball — whatever your fancy just get out there and play with your kids and have a little fun!

With changing work arrangements, schedules, and school closures, many families are struggling with being confined to the home without the regular assistance of family, friends and others that they may have come to rely upon.

Although this time can be difficult, there are many things families can do to ease feelings of “cabin fever” while still practicing physical distancing.

These tips for staying mentally and physically healthy at home can help to keep the kids busy, and make the most of your newfound time together.

No Matter What Age You Are, Stay Active & Keep Moving

There are many ways to be physically active. Some examples of activities you can do to keep your mind and body active while at home include . . . • Take an online exercise class or follow an exercise video • Jump rope • Walk or run up and down the stairs in your home or building • Clean your home or wash your car • Garden or do yard work • Practice yoga • Be creative and find new ways to play with your children using equipment like soccer balls, basketballs, or footballs • Play with your pets (play fetch or chase them around the yard) • Bring some chalk outside and play hopscotch or other fun jumping/skipping games with children on your driveway, or sidewalk • If you’re not self-isolating, it is okay to go outside for a walk, run, or bike ride. Just remember to keep a minimum of two metres between yourself and others, and definitely avoid being active in large groups.

Spend Time With Food

Healthy eating is essential to keeping you feeling your best.

Family meals are still just as important now as they were before COVID-19 and it is up to parents to teach their kids food skills, like meal preparation and cooking.

Consider using this time to spend time in the kitchen with your family, planning and preparing healthy meals.

It’s not only a great way to curb cabin fever, but more importantly, it teaches children essential life skills.

Similar to the kitchen, a garden can serve as a second classroom for children and adults alike.

There are many benefits and skills learned from growing your own food, including increasing exposure to vegetables and fruit, encouraging physical activity, and teaching science, math, social sciences, patience and responsibility.

No backyard? No problem!

Plants can be grown indoors by a window, or outside in containers or in raised beds.

Cross It Off Your List

Have you been meaning to organize the basement or the kids’ toys, read a book, start a new hobby, or get back to an old one? Now’s the time to consider doing just that!

Although times are uncertain, it seems we’ve been given an opportunity to slow down a bit; spend more quality time alone or with those we love, and cross things off the to-do list.

Sometimes just keeping busy can help us get through feelings of isolation.

If you live alone, be sure to connect with others using technology, such as calling or video conferencing.

Mental Health Check-in

The constant news about COVID-19 can be a source of anxiety and stress for many people, so be sure to look after your mental well-being.

Taking time throughout the day to practice self-care by getting adequate sleep, staying active, finding ways to have fun, keeping a routine, and staying in touch with your family and friends, can help you get through feeling cooped up, anxious or stressed.

It is also essential to talk to others, even children, to make sure they are ok with what’s happening currently.

Children, in particular, have had a lot of change lately with not being able to go to school or see their friends, and may be struggling more than you realize.

Remember if anyone in your family needs help, many organizations in Windsor Essex are still offering services via telephone or video conferencing.

For more information on mental health supports refer to their webpage: WECHU.org/cv/mental-health. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, in partnership with other agencies and health care providers, seeks to enable all Windsor andEssex County residents to be as healthy as possible. The unit is located at 1005 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor. For more tips and information on how to stay healthy while at home, visit their website: WECHU.org.

THE PARENTING BIZ Healthy Smiles, Healthy Start . . . Caring For Your Child’s Smile

By Jen Mayhew

As a mom, I want to protect my kids from everything. I know that’s not possible . . . but I can try, LOL!

There are things that I can protect them from — such as tooth decay. Oral disease is more than 90% preventable and yet the oral health component of the Canadian Chronic Health Measures Survey in 2010 found “periodontal (gum) diseases and dental caries (tooth decay) are the most prevalent chronic diseases, affecting children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. In fact, dental caries affect 60% to 90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults . . .”

Decay rates in children are much too high and are getting higher.

And baby teeth matter! They allow a child to eat. They hold space and act as a guide for erupting adult teeth.

Baby teeth contribute to developing speech patterns and are the foundation of the face and the airways. They are also necessary for healthy self-esteem.

Children who have decay are often uncomfortable or in pain. This discomfort has been found to hinder a child’s development socially and otherwise.

Dental pain can contribute to “choosey” or picky eating due to discomfort and difficulty chewing.

Cavities are a contributing factor to poor overall health. This includes susceptibility to illness like viruses and bacteria.

Decay can interfere with digestion and can also be a sign of bacterial imbalances due to other systemic illnesses.

As well, oral disease can also indicate breathing and airway disorders. We need to approach oral health from a proactive whole body focus.

Decay does not only affect the teeth, it affects the child.

When dental professionals work together with you as the caregiver they can prevent oral disease and establish healthy habits for a lifetime.

Here are a few simple daily tips to give your children a healthy start.

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Children need a healthy nutrient-dense diet

Choose healthy whole foods that are nutrient dense. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals that are necessary to develop to our potential and protect us from disease. Limit processed and refined foods.

The frequency of food intake is a big factor in preventing oral disease and, let’s face it, little ones snack all day.

Choosing detergent snacks between meals that are firm and fibrous are best. These foods like celery, carrots and apples are cleaning our teeth as we eat them and helping our body produce saliva.

Tooth-safe snacks are foods like whole veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains (visible seediness), and whole fruits. Cheese and unsweetened yogurt are also safe. Try to limit or avoid added sugars in all forms. If you're giving a “treat” pair it with a meal for safety.

Hydrate —choose water

When breast milk or formula is no longer the main source of nutrition, water should be the only “on demand” beverage for kids.

Milk (if given) should be offered with meals or after meals. Not in a sippy cup if possible. I recommend avoiding juice or other sweetened beverages altogether.

Drinking water all day and rinsing often is the best option for teeth and your health.

1647 Ottawa Street, Windsor 519-252-9521 www.karens4kids.com

That’s it junior, show those pearly whites for the camera! Good oral hygiene begins at a young age and a 12 month healthy smile visit is essential to introduce your child to the dental environment.

Drinking enough water also ensures a healthy amount of saliva is available, which is essential for healthy teeth and digestion. Never put a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing anything other than water.

Remember cavities are contagious

Babies aren’t born with the bacteria that cause tooth decay. This bacteria is passed to your child from parents and siblings. Avoid sharing utensils, cleaning a pacifier (with your mouth), or kissing on the mouth. Especially if you or your spouse have experienced many cavities.

Control bacteria with healthy well timed oral hygiene habits

Establish oral hygiene habits like tooth brushing and flossing right away. Brushing your little ones’ teeth should start as soon as they erupt, with a soft compact toothbrush.

Think of tooth brushing as wiping clean the surface of the teeth. I recommend brushing twice daily — in the morning upon waking and again before bed. Mom and dad need to assist or provide this care as children under eight years do not have the dexterity or the attention span to be effective.

Bedtime brushing is crucial in prevention of tooth decay. Don’t forget to floss. As soon as there are two teeth touching that space needs to be cleaned. This can be made easier by using a flossing aid.

Find a dental home for your little one by their first birthday

Just like a well baby exam at your doctor’s office, a 12 month healthy smile visit will guide you through any difficulties you may be having and mediate any potential risk factors that your child may have.

The 12 month visit is essential in introducing your child to the dental environment, providing you with the tools and resources you need to care for them and makes early intervention possible.

Early detection leaves space for reversal of cavities and/or treatment when it is small. This visit can also identify developmental issues like tongue ties and lip ties, speech concerns, or airway obstruction and make appropriate referrals at a crucial time.

Waiting until a child is older leaves the door open for irreversible damage that needs painful traumatic treatment.

Prevention is pain free, affordable and the healthiest option. Embrace Dental Hygiene, 174 Sandwich Street South in Amherstburg, is one of Windsor Essex’s only independent dental hygiene practices. Its owner Registered Dental Hygienist Jen Mayhew (also a mom!) has been in the dental field for almost 20 years. Her integrative approach to dental care combines diet, habit, lifestyle modifications with science based treatment. Offering oral health assessments, cavity prevention, pH, management, dental cleaning and more. Embrace Dental Hygiene also houses a fully stocked Oral Health Boutique with all natural oral care products and tools. Learn more at: EmbraceDentalHygiene.com.

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