5 RISK FACTORS TO CONSIDER What Is Periodontal Disease?
CHECK OUT SOME OF AMERICA’S BEST ZOOS Summer is one of the best times of the year to travel. Kids are out of school and want to do something fun every weekend, which can be difficult to accommodate if you’ve already exhausted your local options. If you’re looking to travel, you can visit a beach, take in the sights and sounds of an amusement park, or spend some time with animals while visiting a zoo. Nearly every state in our country has a handful of zoos or aquariums, but some stand above the rest. Monkey Around This Summer
Periodontal disease (periodontitis) is a gum infection that damages not only your gums but also your jawbone and soft tissue around your teeth. Periodontitis affects over half of the adults in the U.S. But unfortunately, many people are unaware they have it. Although periodontitis is widespread and affects millions, it is preventable and treatable! However, to find a treatment or prevention method, we must look at the risk factors that play a role in how severe periodontitis is in your situation. Here are the five risk factors for periodontal disease and how they can affect you. AGE According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of Americans 65 and older have periodontitis. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise because as you age, your gums naturally recede. When this happens, your mouth cannot produce enough saliva to neutralize bacteria and protect your teeth. SMOKING It’s no secret that using tobacco/nicotine products harms your health. But did you know smoking is one of the highest risk factors for periodontal disease? Therefore, we highly recommend that you refrain from smoking, but if you do, it’s best to invest in oral health care products that will keep your mouth, teeth, and gums in good shape. GENETICS If your family has a history of gum disease, it’s vital that you share this information with your dentist. If your dentist knows that periodontitis runs in your family, they can take preventive measures to keep the disease from spreading. MEDICATION AND NUTRITION If you suffer from other diseases, your gums are already compromised, meaning you are at a higher risk of periodontal disease. Furthermore, the medications you take also affect your oral health. Additionally, if you have poor nutrition and a diet that lacks the proper nutrients, you could be at risk of periodontitis. This is because your body’s immune system cannot fight off infections — and periodontal disease initially starts as an infection. Don’t let these risk factors scare you! We understand this information can be alarming, but we promise treatment options are available to treat and prevent periodontitis from spreading. If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, please don’t hesitate to call us. We are happy to assist with whatever you may need!
Here are three of the best zoos you can visit in the U.S. — aside from the Cincinnati Zoo, of course!
OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, is consistently ranked as one of the top five zoos in the world. It prides itself on hosting rare, endangered animals you can’t see elsewhere. It has the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, and one of the major highlights is the Desert Dome, an 84,000-square-foot indoor desert that maintains an authentic desert ecosystem. This is a must-visit for any animal lover in your family. THE BRONX ZOO You don’t usually think about seeing exotic animals when you visit New York City, but the Bronx Zoo is one of the best places to view animals in America. Opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is responsible for many of the advancements relating to animal captivity. This was one of the first zoos to ditch cages for natural environments and create an animal hospital. With over 6,000 species, there’s an animal for everyone at the Bronx Zoo.
THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS While the San Diego Zoo is often boasted as California’s largest and best zoo, another zoo is worth checking out. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens outside Palm Springs has entertained visitors
for decades. There are events at this zoo every day, one of the most popular being the keeper connections and animal encounters, where you get up close and personal with the animals while learning more about their habitats and lifestyles.
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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