BEGONE, BAD BACTERIA
Fall brings apple cider, pumpkin patches, fun seasonal outfits, and corn mazes. Unless you are visiting a “haunted” corn maze, you and your family probably won’t be chased by a chainsaw-wielding serial killer while you try to navigate through. However, safety risks are still present. Here are five safety tips to keep the fun coming during your next corn maze experience. FOLLOW THE RULES. At the entrance to each corn maze, there should be a sign stating the rules for visitors. For the safety of yourself, your children, and others, be sure to read each rule and follow along. Always accompany your kids in the corn maze — it is a maze, after all! WATCH FOR TRIPPING AND FIRE HAZARDS. Keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles on the path, including holes, bumps, ruts, and corn stalks. While navigating a maze, it can be easy to forget to look down while searching for the exit. To prevent fires, you should also avoid smoking and never use matches or lighters. WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR. Ensure that you and your family all have proper footwear, preferably closed-toed shoes, while exploring the maze. You never know what kind of critters or potentially harmful hazards may appear in your path. EAT BEFOREHAND AND STAY HYDRATED. Be sure to eat before setting out into the maze and don’t bring any glass bottles with you, as it can be dangerous if broken. Furthermore, do not consume alcohol before or while enjoying your time at the corn maze. BE PREPARED. Accidents can happen, usually at the most unexpected times! It is important to always have a first-aid kit handy. Be sure to call 911 in an emergency and let staff know what is going on. FUN FOR ALL THIS FALL 5 Corn Maze Safety Tips
HOW BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH AFFECT YOUR ENTIRE BODILY HEALTH
Did you know that bacteria living in your mouth are directly linked to your overall health?
You already know that both good and bad bacteria exist in your body. They live on your skin, in your stomach, and, of course, in your mouth! Bacteria make up almost three pounds of your total weight. (Gross, but pretty cool, right?) Your mouth has its very own ZIP code of bacteria. This little community of bacteria (around six billion), is called your oral microbiome, similar to the microbiome in your gut. In your oral microbiome, there are good bacteria that break down your food, fight bad breath, and combat oral disease. These good bacteria are your body’s protective knights in shining armor, and you want to protect them so they can do their job.
To do this, you need to keep the harmful bacteria from moving into your mouth, reproducing, and causing problems.
How do you fight bacteria? You brush your teeth!
Every time you eat, it’s like an Amazon Fresh order being delivered to the door of your oral microbiome. Any leftover food in your mouth creates a buffet of feasting options for the bacteria that live there! And unfortunately, like most of us, bacteria love sugar and carbs. When those bacteria have a ready supply of starchy food, they multiply like crazy and leave behind a mess — AKA, plaque. Very simply, plaque is a sticky area on your teeth where bacteria can comfortably live and hang out. If plaque stays too long, it can cause damage. When your teeth feel slimy or furry, bacteria are starting to create a sticky housing situation that will begin to destroy your teeth and gums.
Brushing your teeth won’t just kill bacteria; it will add years to your life.
Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and your oral health can directly impact your overall health. As harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream through your infected gums, they can travel to organs like your brain and heart. Certain species of oral bacteria are linked to preterm labor, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and various types of cancer. So long as you maintain your oral hygiene and get your teeth cleaned twice a year, you can destroy your bacteria’s housing and food supply, banishing them from your mouth!
As long as safety is the top priority this fall, fun will be had by all!
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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