As our community works together to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), 

Dr. Lewis Gross, a holistic dentist in Tribeca, offers these tips for understanding the disease, recognizing symptoms and staying safe, which is one of the best ways we can show love for our family, friends, and neighbors right now. 

He also shares his holistic approach for building a strong personal defense against the virus—by cultivating a healthy body and a healthy attitude. 

“Let’s not forget a little humor to improve our state of mind,” he says.

Some patients recently asked me if it’s safe to kiss during this epidemic. Social distancing and hand washing are considered the new Universal Precaution, but how do you apply it to your loved ones? Familiarity with another is our usual parameter for safe interaction, but with this virus, there is no way to know if your partner was inadvertently exposed.

The Basics of Safe Love During an Epidemic

1. If you have a runny nose, you have a common cold and probably not COVID-19. But you are still contagious, so wait at least five days to kiss your partner, especially if you’ve been exposed to the outside public.

2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose, but respiratory symptoms can take five days to appear, so if you have a sore throat or are wheezing, quarantine yourself from your family. 

3. Wash your hands frequently with an antibacterial soap. Avoid face-to-face exposure within six feet, and don’t share toothbrushes.

4. Stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation and at-home partner yoga, improve the immune system. Practice patience and positive thinking during your quarantine. 

5. Drinking warm alkaline water is a good prevention strategy for all viruses. Stay well hydrated. 

6. Alcohol and smoking dehydrate the throat. Avoid excessive alcohol and any form of smoking or vaping, which can irritate the throat and lower immunity.

7. You should gurgle (gargle deeply, emitting a low sound as you exhale) and irrigate your sinuses frequently after exposure as a preventive measure, especially after flying. Gargling reduces the viral load and soothes the throat. The virus resides in the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity for three to five days before it enters the lungs. Anecdotal evidence has shown that gargling with diluted baking soda, salt or vinegar works well for the flu by altering the topical pH; however, vinegar causes acidic erosion to teeth. The best way to balance the oral microbiome is with a five-day alkaline oral cleanse with a product made for that purpose, like Alka-White, a portable effervescent tablet that you dissolve in warm water. 

8. If you have a high fever, difficulty breathing or a feeling like you're drowning, it's imperative that you seek immediate medical attention.

Dr. Lewis Gross is a director and general dentist at Tribeca Center for Integrative Holistic Dentistry. For more information, visit Holistic-Dentists.com and AlkaWhite.com.