Tillman Smiles - July 2020

Tillman Smiles - July 2020

July 2020

TILLMAN SMI L E S

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Graduation in the Time of COVID-19 5 High School Seniors Share Their Plans for the Future

“Christmas at Birchman.” It was a lot of work but such an amazing opportunity and a blessing to others. I’m most proud of the fact that I was able to make it into the honors program at Hardin- Simmons University. It required a personal interview, letters of recommendation, and an essay. An interesting fact about me is that I raised chickens in my backyard for about five years. It started out as a school project, but then it became my passion. Their names were Midnight, Shadow, Sunshine, and Cheese Puff. My hidden talent is that I’m really good at making floral and fruit arrangements for my family. I make the fruit arrangements when we have meals together as a family, like breakfast-for-supper or Friday night pizza. WARNING: Proud papa moment! We have loved watching Tristan grow in age and maturity and are so excited about her future. –David Tyler Gillis I’m planning to go to college at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Business and major in accounting. I received the

from my mom was, “Don’t touch the pollen from lilies because it can stain.” I attempted to remove lilies from a vase and stained the countertops. Due to

The coronavirus pandemic turned life upside down for all of us, but it hit high school seniors particularly hard. This month, I sat down with five local teens who have been patients of ours through the years to talk about their plans for the future and how COVID-19 impacted their graduation experience. I asked each of the kids five questions, and they chose which ones to answer. Here’s what they said! Hadley Bruno Now that I’ve graduated, I’m focusing on costume design and heading to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. As far as accomplishments, I was in the National Honor Society. I was also inducted into the International Thespian Society and designed a total of 10 shows in my high school career. Regarding the impact of COVID-19, I wasn’t going to prom anyway. Graduation was still super fun, and I actually liked it because being at the stadiumwas better than where they typically have the ceremony. Homeschooling was also a lot easier. My hobbies include sewing, drawing, and designing. I’ve done competitive cheer, but I quit to focus on my schooling. Tristan Tillman I plan to major in biology at Hardin- Simmons University and pursue physical therapy. The strangest advice I ever got

COVID-19, I was unable to have prom with Aledo High School. I was able to go to a backyard prom with a smaller group of my closest friends from school. My graduation was at Aledo Bearcat Stadium instead of Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. We wore masks the whole time during the graduation ceremony. I wouldn’t go back and do it again because I really enjoyed the memories and smaller moments that were made under the restrictions. The whole experience made me treasure the friendships and people I’m close to in more ways than I imagined. As for my accomplishments, I earned my EKG Technician Certification during the fall of my senior year. I played volleyball for Aledo High School my freshman and sophomore years. During my sophomore year, I made it onto the Ace Club volleyball team and had the opportunity to play a tournament in Chicago. I made it again in my junior year and went to a tournament in Minnesota. I’ve also had the opportunity to be really involved in my community and church. I served as a campfire volunteer for Coder Elementary School and assisted Vandagriff Elementary School in prepping for the first day of school. In my church this past Christmas, I was in

Presidential Scholarship for that. I graduated from Paschal High School with a distinguished level

of achievement, and I was a Superintendent’s Scholar. I was also a member of the National Honor Society.

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Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project DIYs From Across the Entertainment Sphere

Sleep Bruxism in Children Causes and Consequences When parents check on their children sleeping in the next room, they want to hear the sounds of easy sleep: slow, rhythmic breathing and the occasional sigh or two. However, sometimes they might hear a soft grinding noise. This is when a child clenches or grinds their teeth together, which is called bruxism. Diurnal Bruxing and Sleep Bruxism In children, two types of bruxism occur unconsciously. Diurnal bruxing is when a child grinds their teeth throughout the day, often without realizing they’re doing it. This is the easiest to fix because once brought to the child’s attention, measures can be taken to address it. Sleep bruxism (SB) also occurs unconsciously, but because the child is asleep, they cannot consciously stop doing it. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or brand-new to crafting, there are lots of ways to get your kids creating. For example, why buy merchandise from their favorite video game or TV show if they can make it themselves? Check out these resources for free crafting ideas to keep your kids connected to their favorite characters when they’re not looking at a screen. Disney-Themed Crafts From “Star Wars” to all things Mickey Mouse, entire fictional universes can come to life inside your home andmake your family time feel a little more magical. Family.Disney.comoffers projects for every difficulty level. Many require glue guns and adult supervision, but that’s what makes them fun and interactive for both you and your children. Who knows, youmight just find inspiration for other decorations in your home after a fewDisney-inspired crafting sessions. Nickelodeon-Themed Crafts Whether it’s “Blue’s Clues,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” or “SpongeBob SquarePants,” there’s no doubt that your little one is familiar with some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic children’s shows. NickelodeonParents.com offers DIY crafts that’ll encourage your kids to get busy and creative while decorating their play areas and beyond. The site also filters crafts by categories like Big Kids, Educational, and Noggin, so you even have options if you want your child to learn something while they play.

Geeky Crafts If your kids are huge gamers, GeekCrafts.com is a great website for finding DIYs that they can get invested in. Not everything is designed for small kids, but there’s a large archive to choose from, and it’s not difficult at all to recognize what crafts will be best for your family. FromMinecraft-themed building blocks to Pokemon felt hats, you’ll find lots of fun projects that’ll get your kids excited and asking, “What’s the next step?”

We hope these free resources help you and your family spend a little more creative time together! Have fun!

The Reason Behind Sleep Bruxism A recent American Dental Association study has shown that the prevalence of SB in children is often associated with emotional and behavioral problems. The study, published March 26, 2020, included a cross-sectional sample of 556 8-year-olds at 20 public schools in Brazil to try to pinpoint the cause of SB. Parents and caregivers observed their children for symptoms related to SB and also provided information about any emotional or behavioral problems the children might be having. The study found that SB was a common condition in over 30% of the children in the sample, and there was a higher prevalence of it in children with reported social, emotional, and behavioral problems. The Impact of Sleep Bruxism While SB is considered a normal sporadic condition for children, if it’s regular and intense, it can harm the child. Constant teeth grinding can result in moderately to severely damaged teeth, pain, and restless sleep. What’s more, if the condition isn’t caught early, it can cause severe facial and jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint disorder. If you notice your child is suffering from SB, it’s time to take action. Talk to your dentist to learn what you can do for your child to help them through this and to preserve their bright, healthy smile.

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Personally, I think COVID-19 just made the year much more of a hassle. I had to check my email every day because the teachers wouldn’t post everything we needed to do for that week all in one day. I wasn’t planning on going to prom, but graduation would’ve been neat. I wouldn’t go back though. The mistakes I made helped me become the person I am today, and life is exciting when things go differently than I expect. I’mmost proud of graduating. It was tedious and long, but it’s good to know I can close that chapter of my life. As far as talents go, I don’t know if I’d say it’s a talent, but I write poetry from time to time. Tanner Gillis Now that I’ve graduated, I’m going to the University of Texas at Arlington College of Engineering for software engineering. I got the Maverick Academic Scholarship there.

Breakfast Sausage Kebabs

Ingredients

Directions

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7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed

1.

Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

I’ve already started classes online at UTA, including Calculus 1 and Art Appreciation. I graduated from Paschal High School with a distinguished level of achievement and was also a member of the National Honor Society. My parents haven’t given me any strange advice. I don’t always agree with their advice, though. As for COVID-19, personally, I’m fine

•

20 oz pineapple chunks, drained

2.

•

10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms

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2 tbsp butter, melted

with how everything turned out. Graduation was online. And yeah, I’d do my senior year over again without COVID-19. I think the accomplishments I’mmost proud of are securing a college scholarship, studying up for the math placement exam, and receiving a great score so I could start college math with Calculus 1. Maddie Gose I’m planning to go to cosmetology school now that I’ve graduated. The strangest advice I ever got frommy parents was, “Five minutes of fun is not worth the consequences of impulsive decisions.”

•

Maple syrup, to taste

Equipment

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5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

Take A Break

Because of COVID-19, my high school graduation was canceled, promwas postponed, and my senior year didn’t look like a typical last year of high school. However, if I could go back and change it, I wouldn’t. A lot of good things came out of quarantine that I’m super thankful for. My parents went above and beyond to make it incredibly special and memorable for me. I truthfully couldn’t imagine a better ending to high school.

The thing I ammost proud of is how the Lord has increased my faith in him this year. I also graduated with honors from high school, played competitive volleyball for four years, and built lasting friends in my high school career. One interesting thing about me is that people often think I am super quiet and shy, but upon getting to knowme, they quickly realize that’s not the case! We’ve loved watching these seniors grow and mature over the years. We’ve improved their smiles, taken great care of their teeth, and enjoyed their company. Hopefully we haven’t left anyone out, but we apologize if we have! If you know a teen with a quarantine story worth sharing, we’d love to hear it. Give us a call — you just might make a future newsletter.

Ruby Sparkler

Larkspur Peaches Picnic Popsicles

Caesar Fireworks Grilling Independence

Sunglasses Swimming

—David Tillman

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1100 S. LAKE STREET FORT WORTH, TX 76104 817.678.5148 WWW.TILLMANSMILES.COM

Inside

This Issue

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Graduation in the Time of COVID-19

Find Your Family’s Next Crafting Project Be Aware of This Common but Harmful Sleep Condition Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs How to Keep an Eye on Your Oral Health

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Know Your Mouth How to Thoroughly Check Your Oral Health

Tongue Much like the gums, the tongue should always be pink. It should also be covered with small nodules called papillae. Discoloration of the tongue, like white spots, could be a sign of infection or a side effect of diabetes and asthma medications. A red tongue could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an indication that you have a fever. Sores and bumps on your tongue — or on your gums and the insides of your cheeks — may need to be treated with medication if they don’t go away on their own. Breath Bad breath can be embarrassing, but it can also be an indicator of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy breath should be naturally neutral, meaning there shouldn’t be much scent to it at all. Bacteria breed in the presence of food particles, and it’s these bacteria that cause stinky breath. Eating pungent foods may cause bad breath temporarily, but if it continues even after brushing or using mouthwash, this could be a sign of other issues. A thorough check of your or a family member’s oral health may require a few extra steps, but it’s well worth your time. No one knows your mouth better than you, but if you have an issue, then you should always tell your dentist about it, because no one knows oral hygiene better than them!

While you should never attempt any type of dental procedure or oral cleaning with professional tools at home, it is important to be aware of the overall health of your mouth. Whether you’re between visits to your dentist or haven’t scheduled an appointment in a while, look for the following signs to help you decide if it’s time for a trip to the dentist.

Teeth Strong teeth are the first sign of a healthy mouth. Determine whether or not yours are strong by checking for loose teeth, pain, sensitivity, or discoloration other than the yellowing that occurs with age. It doesn’t mean your teeth are unhealthy if they aren’t perfectly straight, but make sure their alignment isn’t causing issues with the way you bite, chew, or relax your jaw. Gums For the most part, healthy gums are always pink. They should be firm around each tooth and not tender, swollen, red, or white. Where the gums naturally sit on the tooth varies from person to person, but if you start to notice your gums receding more than normal, this could be a cause for concern. If your gums bleed while brushing or flossing, it could mean you’re not doing either often enough or are being too rough, or it may indicate other health issues.

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WE’RE WORKING HARD TO KEEP YOU SAFE! Our New COVID-19 Precautions

Our teamwill ... • Conduct daily staff temperature checks • Ask screening questions about your health before you come in • Wear personal protective equipment including N95masks, surgical caps, and gowns • Limit the number of people in the office for social distancing • Remove shared items from the waiting room • Take your temperature and ask additional screening questions when you arrive We ask that you… • Schedule your appointments online or over the phone • Comply with all health screenings • Wash your hands before your appointment • Wait in the car until your appointment time arrives Dear Valued Patients, We’re open and ready to see you! However, we also take the threat of COVID-19 seriously, so we’re taking precautions to ensure your safety and provide you with exceptional care during your visit.

All of the procedures we’ve implemented are in compliance with the State Dental Board. Here are just a few of the ways we’re working to limit potential exposure to COVID-19 in our practice.

• Thoroughly and repeatedly clean and disinfect countertops, door handles, pens, clipboards, treatment rooms, and reception area chairs • Offer hand-sanitizing stations throughout the office • Avoid using aerosols during teeth cleanings in favor of hand scaling • Use an Isolite tooth isolation system that removes 90% of the aerosols patients produce from the air • Wear a mask when you enter the office • Maintain social distancing in the office when possible • Rinse your mouth with the disinfectant mouthwash we provide before treatment

Do you have questions about our precautions?We have answers! Call us today at 817.678.5148. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19!

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ENTER OUR BIG GREEN EGG GIVEAWAY!

Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the grill! This summer, we’re going to help you throw a BBQ to remember. With a few simple steps, you can get dozens of entries into our Big Green Egg giveaway!

The Big Green Egg is one of the world’s best grills, perfect for high-temperature grilling, roasting, smoking, or even baking. If you’re a BBQ aficionado, you won’t want to miss the chance to get this grill valued at over $1200 for FREE. There are 3 EASY ways to enter the drawing: 1. Make a referral. For every friend who makes an appointment and gives us your name, you’ll get 10 entries. 2. Leave a review. For every review you write on Google, Facebook, or Yelp, you’ll get 3 entries. Please use your real name in order to be counted. 3. Visit our office. Every time you come in before Wednesday, September 30, 2020, you’ll get 1 entry.

On Thursday, October 1, 2020, we’ll draw a winner and announce the results on our Facebook page! Follow us there at Facebook.com/ DavidTillmanDDS for updates.

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