Good orthodontics eye care professional will look for yellow deposits beneath the retina to determine whether you have AMD . Intermediate and late AMD can be treated with daily intake of vitamins and minerals that can slow the progression of the disease . Therapy and surgery can also be considered for types of advanced neovascular AMD , which typically results in severe vision loss , to stop further progression .
Hearing Loss and Prevention
It is common for hearing loss to occur as you age . According to the Mayo Clinic , about 25 percent of people in the United States between the ages of 55 and 64 have some degree of hearing loss , increasing to one in two people by age 65 and older . Chronic exposure to loud noises and aging are the two main causes of hearing loss , resulting in the perception of muffled speech from others , difficulty understanding words , frequent requests for others to repeat themselves , loud volume on the television or radio , and avoidance of social settings .
Hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear , infection in the ear , or ruptured eardrum . Damage to the inner ear can happen with age , or constant exposure to loud noises over an extended period of time . These cause wear on the nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound
to the brain . When they are damaged , signals aren ’ t transmitted as effectively , causing loss of hearing . Heredity , aging , occupational and recreational noises , some medications , and some illnesses may cause either partial or full hearing loss , but there are ways to treat hearing loss . Treatment can include surgical procedures , hearing aids , or cochlear implants .
Preventive measures can also be taken to protect against noise-induced hearing loss and to avoid age-related hearing loss . Be sure to wear protective earmuffs if you work in a loud environment or are hunting , going to concerts or doing other loud activities for an extended period of time . It is also important to have your hearing tested on a regular basis . Early detection is key to preventing complete hearing loss .
Mouth Health
Your mouth can tell a lot about your overall health . Investing in your oral health is also investing in your general health . There are several conditions that are linked to oral health including endocarditis and cardiovascular disease . When bacteria from your mouth — or other parts of your body — spread through your bloodstream , they can attach to your heart , causing an infection in the inner lining called
Continued on next page >
Excellence is a GOOD choice !
Robert F . Good , II , D . M . D ., M . D . S . Ronald S . Good , D . M . D ., M . S . Board Certified Orthodontic Specialists
Washington 111 Washington Street Washington , PA 15301 724-225-1114
Pleasant Hills 22 Old Clairton Road Pittsburgh , PA 15236 412-655-4660
Mount Lebanon 677 Washington Road Pittsburgh , PA 15228 412-344-4663
Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth . To learn more , visit www . braces . org .
See More Than A Smile . See An Orthodontist .
Smile by Good Orthodontics
www . goodorthodontics . com
Smile by Good Orthodontics
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS ❘ WINTER 2021 23