Improve the Health of Your Lawn IN 3 EASY STEPS
Summer has finally arrived, which means the birds are singing, the skies are blue, and the grass is … hopefully green? Maintaining a green lawn is an incredibly difficult task, especially if you don’t get much rain. Your lawn may also have sunspots or issues due to pet waste, but don’t lose hope. You can do a few simple things to turn your brown grass to green, and it shouldn’t take the entire summer to see results. If you’re unsure where to begin, try some of these tips to bring new life to your lawn. MAKE SURE YOU MOW PROPERLY. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they mow their own lawn is cutting their grass too short. If your blades aren’t
set to the proper height, you can easily cut too much of your grass, leaving it stressed. As it struggles to recover, your lawn will turn brown, and then weeds will grow more easily. Ideally, you should mow your lawn once a week and sharpen your blades regularly before they get dull. WATER IN THE MORNING. There’s proven science behind the best time to water your lawn. If you water at night, you’ll see excess humidity, which can lead to turf disease and the destruction of your lawn. If you water in the middle of the day, water will evaporate quickly leaving your lawn dried out. Instead, try watering in the morning so
your lawn has the opportunity to absorb the water. Watering for 45–60 minutes twice a week will allow ample time for the water to soak into your lawn. If you live in a drought-affected area, be sure to follow local guidelines for water use. FERTILIZE FOR HEALTH. Sometimes our lawns need an extra boost to become as green as possible. That’s where fertilizer comes in. Fertilizer contains various mixes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium — three important nutrients for a healthy lawn. You can find many different fertilizer options, so conduct a soil test to understand which mix is best for your lawn.
MANAGING DRY MOUTH Keep Your Mouth Healthy and Fresh
Everyone has a dry mouth from time to time, but frequent dryness isn’t considered normal. A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth aren’t producing enough saliva. It isn’t a serious medical condition on its own, but it can be uncomfortable and eventually lead to health problems, such as tooth decay or infections, if not treated properly. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy. If you are not producing enough saliva, you may notice these symptoms:
to salivary gland nerves from trauma or injury, or taking any of the 400 medicines that cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva.
TREATING DRY MOUTH If you’ve noticed persistent dry mouth signs and symptoms, there are treatments to reduce the risks of long-term consequences, such as: • Changing medication/dosage if another option is available • Increasing water intake and taking Xylitol lozenges • Using prescription strength toothpaste such as Fluoridex • Using over-the-counter Biotene gel or spray • Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and mouthwash that has alcohol • Using a humidifier at night • Avoiding caffeine
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A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking • A burning sensation in the mouth • Cracked or dry lips and/or dry rough tongue • Mouth sores or infections • New areas of decay that happened rapidly • Sensitivity to spicy and acidic foods
Dry mouth usually goes away on its own, but we all need good saliva production to moisten and cleanse our mouths against bacteria. Depending on the cause, speak with your doctor or dentist or call our office to book your next appointment for more details. –Therese Bleiweiss, RDH
CAUSES OF DRY MOUTH There are a number of causes for dry mouth, including side effects of certain diseases and infections, radiation and chemotherapy, damage
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
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