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The Charlotte Post THURSDAY,Li OCTOBERf 29,e 2020 SECTION! B Clean your mouth, keep body healthy SHUTTERSTOCK By Herbert L. White The coronavirus pandemic is putting a pause or rethink to Halloween traditions, including trick or treating. [email protected] A clean mouth is a healthy mouth. With fall – and the arrival of cold and flu season mixed with the coronavirus pandemic – it’s impor- tant to take care of your oral health. Frequent hand- Should kids trick or treat washing, diet, and sleep are essential to health, oral hygiene help keep bacteria from spreading and com- promising your immune system. “A healthy lifestyle is key going into flu season especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. during the pandemic? Alec Parker, executive director of the North Carolina Dental Society. “It’s as important as ever to maintain By Anne Blythe “This year, obviously, is differ- candy either inside with family or ent than past years,” said Emman- in a yard where social distancing a nutritious diet and optimal oral hygiene. Oral NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS health is linked to overall health so remember to ual “Chip” Walter, chief medical is possible. brush and floss daily to prevent bacteria buildup. Halloween is on the horizon and officer of the Duke Human Vac- • A home movie night. Dental care is an essential part of routine preventa- many families are wrestling with cine Institute and a pediatric infec- The Centers for Disease Control tive care.” the idea of letting their kids deck tious disease specialist. “I think and Prevention issued guidelines Here's three tips the state dental society rec- themselves out in costumes and trick-or-treat will not be as normal for Halloween activities. They do ommends during cold and flu season: go trick-or-treating. this year. I understand everybody not rule out trick-or-treating but 1. Disinfect toothbrushes: Toothbrushes can har- Pandemic fatigue has set in at is kind of fatigued from COVID. I suggest a number of cautions for vest bacteria, so disinfect yours between uses. Use many households, making many just have real concerns about trick those who do. hot water to rinse the bristles or antibacterial mouth- nostalgic for the days when the lit- or treat as usual, going door to • Those giving out candy should wash to keep the toothbrush clean. Be sure to replace tle kids could parade around as lit- door like we usually think about in avoid contact with trick-or- toothbrushes every three months and toss it if tle Elsas, fearless Spidermen, large crowds of kids. I just think treaters, be outdoors when pos- you’ve picked up a cold or flu virus. witches, ghosts or Avengers on a that’s a perfect way to potentially sible, and consider setting up 2. Drink up. Water is the healthiest beverage for hy- mission to collect candy at every spread the virus.” stations with individually bagged dration in addition to proper organ and body func- door. That doesn’t mean Halloween treats for visitors. tioning properly. It also keeps your mouth clean, To top it off, Halloween coin- has to be ignored, Walter, Cam- • Cloth face masks should be strengthens the immune system and fight infection. cides with a full moon this year — eron Wolfe, an infectious disease part of any costume or outing. 3.Rinse your mouth: Gargle and swish with water the first time since 2001. It’s a rare specialist at Duke, and Viviana • Stay at least 6 feet away from or a diluted mouth rinse to keep your mouth clean blue moon, too, casting another Martinez-Bianchi, associate pro- anybody not in your household. and healthy. Stomach flu and other illnesses can touch of peculiarity to a year like fessor in Family Medicine and • Hand sanitizer should be used cause vomiting and stomach acids can often come no other. Community Health at Duke, said after touching objects or other in contact with your teeth. After vomiting, be sure to Furthermore, Halloween is a during a briefing with reporters on people. use a mouth rinse before brushing to avoid rubbing holiday that celebrates masks. So Wednesday. Not just a holiday for kids the acid all over your teeth. should the kids go trick-or-treat- It could be a year to go off the “We sort of think of Halloween ing? beaten path with some alternate as a young kid event,” Wolfe said. Not the best idea, public health ideas. They suggested: “I have a young 5- and 7-year-old, officials say. COVID-19 continues * Pumpkin carving at home or they’re excited about this. But I to haunt the country, spooking perhaps with another small group think we should also reflect that Create your own physicians and others by the sheer if everyone is wearing masks and for many towns, particularly col- volume of new cases going up social distancing. Don’t forget the lege towns, for example, Hallo- on public health department dash- hand sanitizer. It’s important, ween is a big teenager [event] and boards in North Carolina and else- especially with little ones helping. celebration in your 20s and bey- spa for ultimate where these past few weeks. • Home scavenger hunts with ond.” relaxation session By Andrea Lozoya Look after fur babies at Halloween FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST By Ashley Mahoney We all need a bit of me-time to relax, unwind, and [email protected] enjoy a little pampering. You don’t have to pay a lot A pandemic and a holiday are an interesting com- of money to get the amazing experiences of a spa if bination, but not only is the goal to keep humans you create your own at home. With a few simple safe from the virus, it is also to keep pets safe from tweaks and tips, you can enjoy your very own at holiday mischief. home spa for the perfect way to practice a little bit Here are a few tips from Best Friends Animal So- of self-care. We’ve put together an awesome list of ciety, the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for com- ideas to help you relax and create a DIY spa that’ll panion animals, to protect your furry friends on have you feeling calm and serene. and around Halloween. Some of these suggestions Set the mood in order to create your very own spa apply all year. at home, you’ll need to set the mood. From finding While fur babies love to beg for treats, and as cute the perfect spa space to supplies and lighting, here as they may be, remember that candy is for kids, are some tips to get you started on your journey to not cats or dogs. Keep your candy supply out of total relaxation. their reach, as the common artificial sweetener xy- BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY Set up Your Space litol can be harmful to pets. Chocolate is also bad Take precautions to keep your home and pets safe during Start by choosing where you want your at-home for them. Halloween celebrations. spa to be. It can be your master bathroom or just a While colorful lights spread holiday cheer, they spare room where you can spend time in peace and may look more like a chew toy to some. Make sure comfort. quiet. A room with a view is another great option to they are not accessible to pets. Trick-or-treating may be on pause due to the help you get some sunshine and enjoy a little bit of As lovely as Jack-o-lanterns are, if you place a lit COVID-19 pandemic, but if your neighborhood nature as you unwind. candle in one it becomes a fire hazard should a pet continues with the holiday tradition, keep pets in- * Once you’ve chosen your space, use some relax- knock it over. Opt for fake candles, or keep lit ones side if possible. Be mindful of your cat or dog at- ing products like essential oils, a bottle of bubble away from pets. tempting to bolt out the door when you open it. bath, fresh flower fragrance pillows, or a vase filled Pets look adorable all dressed up, but as cute as Also, excessive knocking or doorbell ringing may with a bouquet of fresh flowers. their costume may be, make sure it is safe. The cos- cause your pet stress. If you can, place them in a * Choose scents that have a calming effect such as tume should not impair breaking, movement or vi- quiet part of the house. However, should a pet race lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile. Put them in sion. Cuteness should not cost your furry friend’s an essential oil diffuser to enjoy the benefits of aro- Please see LOOK AFTER | 2B Please see CREATE | 2B «RIDES Lexus transforms crossover into handsome, consistent RX350 By Winfred Cross cleaned up with a new There is room for five but sion does it’s job with no bumper and headlamps. if you need to carry seven, SPECIAL TO THE POST fuss. Gear changes go un- The suspension gets up- the L model gives you a noticed, nearly, and it does Lexus’s RX300 either graded and the curse caus- third row. My test car a good job finding the created or helped create ing infotainment system wasn’t an L, but had plenty proper gear. the wildly popular cross- has a new look but may of passenger room. The RX The cabin is excep- over craze. Take your best- still cause curses.

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