Why May Is the Best Month to Start Bird-watching is like a lifelong scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere on Earth. The activity provides a mixture of science, travel, and beauty, and it’s a chance to get outside for feathered adventures and quiet reflection. The month of May is a great time of year to go birding because rising temperatures prompt spring migration. So if you’re eager to begin bird-watching, there’s no better time than now. Here are some tips to get started. BIRD-WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS
Give Your Teeth a Shield
Educate Yourself
Thousands of species of birds span all corners of the globe. That’s why finding them is an exciting prospect — there’s no end to the hunt! Start by researching birds that are native to your location. Purchase a field guide with pictures of each bird and maps of their range and use it to figure out where different birds live. From there, it’s easy to pick your first spotting goal. You can even get yourself extra excited by watching a few bird documentaries.
WARD OFF PLAQUE AND DEBRIS WITH A SEALANT
Everyone knows that regular brushing, flossing, and visits to your dentist help prevent cavities, but cleaning every inch of your teeth can be hard, especially when it comes to molars. While adults might find it challenging to thoroughly clean their teeth, kids can have an even harder time reaching to clean molars and all the grooves and spaces in our teeth. That’s why we offer sealants, which protect teeth and “seal out” debris in those areas. What is a sealant? A sealant is a protective coating that our dentist places on permanent molars to prevent cavities from forming on the tooth; it reduces the risk of tooth decay as well. The thin coating adheres to the tooth’s surface, but it does not replace brushing and flossing. Sealants reduce risk and prevent cavities, but you still need to take regular care of your teeth. How are they applied? Applying a sealant to a tooth or teeth is easy and painless. First, your dentist will clean and dry the area and place an acidic gel on the tooth’s surface, which creates a rough surface to which the sealant can bond strongly. The gel is rinsed off, the mouth is dried, and the sealant is applied and hardened by a blue light. This process can also be applied to already existing cavities to prevent them from spreading in the tooth. What’s their impact? Sealants are known to reduce tooth decay by almost 80% in molars, which is crucial to a child’s oral health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “School-aged children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.” Despite this, the CDC also reports that only 43% of children between the ages of 6–11 have sealants.
Gear Up
One of the best things about birding is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to do it. As long as you’ve got your field guide and comfortable walking shoes, the only other thing you’ll need is a pair of binoculars. And they don’t have to be fancy. As long as they can zoom in on faraway trees and perches, they’ll work for now. You can always upgrade later.
Go Exploring
Your very first birding excursion is important because you don’t want to be overwhelmed or underwhelmed. So use your field guide to home in on a single bird and go find it. It may be local, or you can plan a trip to a specific bird’s natural habitat. Stay focused and don’t get distracted by other species. The thrill that comes with spotting your first bird will keep you coming back to find the rest. Bird-watching is a wonderful hobby because it’s easy to get started and can last a lifetime. As long as you can walk, drive, or look out a window, you can be a birder. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find some birds!
If you and your child are struggling with cavities, consider getting a sealant to give you the extra protection you need. Call Auburn Dental Center today at 402-274- 5110 to schedule an appointment.
2 | www.auburndentalcenter.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs