You are exposed to a lot of sugar throughout the day. Perhaps you start off with coffee that has 2 or 3 packets of sugar in it. At lunch time, you have a soda. Once the afternoon lull hits, you have an energy drink or maybe a candy bar. All of these foods are laden with sugar, which can damage your teeth. You’ve heard this about sweet foods since you were a child, but what does it actually mean? Dr. David Tillman, your dentist in Fort Worth, TX, explains exactly what sugar does to your teeth, and what you can do about it. (more…)
Sugar vs. Your Teeth with Your Dentist in Fort Worth, TX
November 9, 2016
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Invisalign in Fort Worth, TX Reveals Straighter Teeth Faster
October 31, 2016
Maybe you had braces as a teen and have noticed your teeth shifting back into the original position. Or perhaps you never had orthodontic treatment at all — either way, it’s never too late to get the smile you want. Invisalign is the clear braces solution that reveals results subtly, and in less time than traditional metal braces. Dr. Tillman offers Invisalign in Fort Worth, TX. Learn more about the popular option in cosmetic dentistry today!
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Are Dental Implants in Fort Worth, TX Right For You?
September 3, 2016
The irony of the situation is almost overwhelming. You’re in the middle of the Fort Worth Stockyards, yet you haven’t been able to eat steak in years. Your missing teeth have made it entirely too difficult, plus just saying the word “steak” usually makes your lisp. You planned on having a good time today, but all you can think about is food that you can’t actually eat. Dr. David Tillman knows that all can change with dental implants in Fort Worth, TX. (more…)
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Benefit from a Family Dentist in Fort Worth
August 11, 2016
When you choose a dentist to care for your family, make sure you pick a dentist who is able to meet the needs of your entire family. With a great family dentist in Fort Worth caring for your family as their own, you will build generations of healthy, beautiful smiles. Dr. David Tillman is a family and children’s dentist in Fort Worth who will cater to the unique needs of each member in your family. With one dentist caring for your family, you will enjoy many benefits that just are not possible with multiple dentists.
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Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Fort Worth TX
July 15, 2016
Your smile says a lot about you, but if your smile is unattractive, it may be saying the wrong thing. With 50 percent of Americans concerned about the appearance of their smiles, cosmetic services have become increasingly popular. From minor to complex appearance flaws, a cosmetic dentist in Fort Worth TX will give you a dazzling new smile to regain your confidence. No matter if you need porcelain veneers, Invisalign, or teeth whitening in Fort Worth TX, Dr. David Tillman can help.
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What Are Some of the Benefits of Invisalign?
November 6, 2014
If you have ever considered getting braces but did not want to have a “metal mouth”, we have a solution that might be right for you. Have you ever considered Invisalign? There are some benefits to Invisalign that you might not have considered.
*Enjoy the foods you like: Remove your trays (for a little while) and enjoy your cup of coffee or that bag of popcorn.
*Brush and floss normally: Just take your trays out and brush and floss as normal for optimal periodontal health
*Less office visits: We know you have a busy schedule. Invisalign allows you to come in for dental appointments less often. Only every 4-6 weeks!!
*Virtual invisible teeth straightening: Since the trays are clear people will hardly know you are wearing them.
*Smooth plastic trays: No metal that could irritate cheeks and gums.
These are just a few benefits of having Invisalign. Schedule an appointment with Dr Tillman and he can go over all the benefits and convenience of this great option!!
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Tips to Choose the Right Toothpaste for Your Family
October 16, 2014
With so many options in the dental health isle choosing toothpaste can be a little overwhelming. From baking soda, whitening, foaming, desensitizing, tarter control, anti-gingivitis, fluoride…the list can go on and on. No matter the brand always select a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Dr. Tillman has a few tips for choosing the right toothpaste for you and your family’s needs.
- Anti-cavity: Almost all the options on the market contain fluoride. Fluoride is just as important as brushing in preventing decay and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.
- Anti-gingivitis: Do your gums suffer from redness and bleeding? You might have gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpastes help reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping this gum condition at its source.
- Desensitizing: Ever take a sip of hot coffee or a cold beverage and feel a shooting pain? This type of toothpaste might help to give you some relief – it helps reduce pain by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.
- Tartar-control: As its name indicates, tartar-control toothpaste helps prevent the buildup of tartar. While this product is helpful in slowing new buildup on teeth, a professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove existing tartar and the bacteria it harbors.
- Whitening: Containing polishing or chemical agents that remove surface stains, this toothpaste is able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.
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Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
September 4, 2014
Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and appear in your mouth. They typically come in between the ages of 17 and 25, a time of life that has been called the “Age of Wisdom.” These teeth can often grow in crooked, sideways, or otherwise misaligned. As they grow in, they can push on other teeth, causing problems of overcrowding.
When wisdom teeth come in, they can be painful. You’ll feel wisdom teeth pain at the back of your mouth, behind your molars. If you look into a mirror, you may even notice that your wisdom teeth have begun to poke through your gums. The area might also be red, enflamed and tender to the touch. However some people don’t have any visible symptoms of wisdom teeth pain.
When a tooth doesn’t fully grow in, it’s called “impacted”–usually unable to break through the gums because there isn’t enough room. About 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
An impacted wisdom tooth can damage neighboring teeth or become infected. Since it’s in an area that’s hard to clean, it can also invite bacteria that lead to gum disease. In some cases, a cyst can form around the base of the impacted tooth, which can lead to more serious problems.
Dr. Tillman recommends removing them when there are infections and/or periodontal (gum) disease, cavities that can’t be restored or there is damage to neighboring teeth and overcrowding. This is a common procedure that Dr. Tillman performs in the office and typically only a few days of rest are needed before returning to your normal routine.
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Fun Teeth Facts
July 11, 2014
- Teeth start to form even before birth. Milk teeth, or baby teeth, start to form when a baby is in the womb, but teeth don’t begin to show until a child is between six and twelve months old.
- No two people have the same set of teeth—your teeth are as unique as your fingerprint, so be proud of your unique set of teeth.
- Say Cheese! The calcium and phosphorus found in cheese is healthy or your teeth – it reduces the pH level in plaque and re-mineralizes the enamel.
- The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough saliva to fill 2 swimming pools!
- Dogs have 42 teeth, cats have 30 teeth, pigs have 44 teeth, and an armadillo has 104 teeth.
- Many diseases are linked to your oral health, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
- The plaque found in your teeth is home to more than 300 different species of bacteria. Listerine, anyone?
- In Medieval Germany, the only cure for a toothache was to kiss a donkey.
- The average woman smiles about 62 times per day! A man? Only 8.
- 50% of people surveyed say that a person’s smile is the first physical trait they notice.
- U.S. and Japanese studies have found that black or green tea has antibacterial powers that help prevent cavities and gum disease.
- In Vermont, it is illegal for women to wear false teeth without the written permission of their husband.
- On September 20th, China celebrates “Love your Teeth Day” – a national holiday promoting oral awareness among its 1.2 billion people.
- A long time ago, humans utilized charcoal or ground up chalk, ashes, lemon juice, and honey-tobacco mixture to clean their teeth. It was only around a hundred years ago that the toothpaste was invented.
- In the 1800s, people who had false teeth in England ate in their bedrooms before gatherings and events at the dinner table. This unique Victorian tradition protected them against the embarrassment of having their teeth ‘fall off’ while dining.
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Dental Sealants
June 18, 2014
What are sealants?
Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars). The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.
Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.
Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.
In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, such as when a child’s baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Applying sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth. The application steps are as follows:
- First the teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
- Each tooth is then dried, and cotton or another absorbent material is put around the tooth to keep it dry.
- An acid solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth.
- The teeth are then rinsed and dried.
- Sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Sealants?
Many insurance companies cover the cost of sealants. Check with our office so we can verify if your insurance will cover the cost of sealants.
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