Hand, foot and mouth disease on rise

Q: Our local paper published an alert that hand, foot and mouth disease is on the rise, and I don’t even know what that is. My kids are off to school and preschool in a few weeks. Is there anything I should do to make sure they don’t get it? — Laura K., Nashville, Tennessee

A: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild virus that mostly infects children from infancy to about 5 years of age. Sometimes, kids as old as 10 contract it, and adults have been known to get it. Although it is rarely a serious infection, you want to spare your children, if at all possible.

In child day care centers and schools, it spreads through person-to-person contact. The first sign often is a spotty rash on the hands and feet, and sores may appear in the mouth. Tough cases can result in blistering on the upper arms and legs, and ulcers in the mouth.

The blisters contain the virus. Until they dry, they’re highly contagious. As with any virus, it can leave kids feeling wiped out.

The virus and symptoms will resolve on their own, but if you have young ones, now would be a good time to teach or reinforce personal hygiene, especially frequent hand-washing. Also, make sure the folks in charge of the preschool and the teachers are aware of the heightened need for good hygiene, so everybody stays healthy and happy.

Q: I looked at the ingredients in my toothpaste, and it contains triclosan. I know it’s a hormone disruptor, and I want to go with an herbal toothpaste, but do they work? And does my family need fluoride in the toothpaste to protect our teeth? — Jessica B., Tucson, Arizona

A: Yes to your first question, and no to your second. The most important thing you and your family need to do is brush regularly: once in the morning, once before bedtime (when you floss, too) and, if you can do it, after every meal. Do that and see a dental pro every six months.

As for herbal toothpastes, a recent randomized control study of people who had slight to moderate chronic periodontitis found that herbal toothpaste worked just as well as the control toothpastes that contained both triclosan and fluoride, and improved their periodontal conditions.

And as for fluoride, you can have too much or too little. The right balance of fluoride in water (and if you choose to have it in your toothpaste) is important for good tooth health. But you do get it in your water supply.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.