Bad breath, bleeding gums, unsightly deposits on your teeth. Hi, I’m Doctor Jeffrey Hartman from Smiles for Life Dentistry in Huntington, PA. These are some of the obvious signs of periodontal or gum disease. At our dental office in Huntingdon, we go a step further in helping you cure your gum disease rather than just manage these symptoms. We use a phase contrast microscope that allows us to identify the bacteria that puts you at risk for gum disease. This special microscope allows for the live viewing of the specific bacteria in your mouth.

Why wait until the bacteria has caused damage to your gums and possibly your heart and vascular system?

Recent research has shown that significant cardiovascular (heart) disease is related to this silent infection in your mouth.

Our “Total Health Dentistry” approach provides a simple inexpensive method of monitoring for bacteria that cause damage to the blood vessels of your gums and throughout your body I believe that you deserve to treat this infection before the damage occurs. Learn more about this simple screening test that takes the guest work out of evaluating your dental health and its effect on your total body health.

For more information about periodontal or gum disease call us at (814)-643-9414  or visit or dental website at www.DrHartmanDentistry.com.

Teeth were made to last a lifetime, and dental experts say that if you help your children take good care of their teeth, they should last just that – a lifetime. Educating them and showing them the value of their teeth is our job as parents. Diet plays a key role in your child’s dental health and overall health and will rot your teeth. Much of tooth decay results from sugar-laden foods and drinks that stick to the teeth and feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. A way to prevent the rot your teeth, is by starving the bacteria will make them die and unable to rot your teeth . Remember white bread, flour, rice, and milk contains sugar, so balance your diet and limit the sugars of all types. Try to create a food dairy and write all the foods and drinks you consume in a day, week and month. Then review that dairy and see your needs to make changes. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an anti-microbial mouth rinse three times daily is the key to not rot your teeth.

Keep treats as treats for special occasions only to keep for having it rot your teeth. Your children will enjoy them even more that way, and not . After snacking, immediately brush that sticky bacteria food off your teeth. Have a happy and safe Halloween with a few treats and a few minutes with your toothbrush.

For more questions or concerns about tooth decay,  please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

2. Start a brushing routine early, early meaning as soon as they get teeth. Yes, age four to eight months, this will establish good oral hygiene and good hygiene habits.

 3. Let the little one pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, or at least allow them to pick between two or three different kinds. This will make them feel more open to brushing. Remind them if they put up a struggle that they choose that cool toothbrush and awesome toothpaste, and help them brush.

 4. Use stickers or some other artwork, make little signs to put on your child’s plate a t mealtime and pillow at bedtime to remind them to brush. This will help you from constantly nagging about brushing.

5. Brush your teeth with your child. Children learn by example, be sure your child sees you brushing and flossing your own teeth every single day. It’s good for them and good for you!

6. Use a sand timer, this great because the child can see the amount of time they have to brush. It gets them a goal and a great sense of accomplishment with they are done.

7. Reward for good hygiene. Find that special thing that makes your child tick, it could be as simple as a kiss, a sticker, an extra book to read before bed, game time with Mom and Dad, or even extra snuggle time will make any little one melt. For the older children offer a reward for through brushing without you having to nag them, ask once. Again find that special thing that makes your child tick, and it will be different for each child. Great rewards are extra time to play games, watch T.V., talk on the phone, stay up a little later at night, rent a movie on the weekend, have a friend over, or even money if that will drive your child. Although use moderation with all rewards, extra time is 5 minutes not 1 hour and when using money twenty five cents a brushing is the going rate.

8. Consequences for poor oral hygiene are a good idea. Take away the rewards as easy as they were given.

9. Brush your pet’s teeth, and let your children help or at least watch. Not only does this reinforce the idea that clean teeth are important, it’s also good for your pet. Note Goldfish do not have teeth!

10. Make it fun. Sing a song while they brush, play music, dance, and make brushing something they what to do, not a chore.

For more questions or concerns about getting your child to brush regularly and to make an appointment please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

1. An Oral Cancer Screening could save your life. Every hour of every day, someone dies of oral cancer in the United States. This fact is very sad because, most oral cancers are curable if diagnosed early.

2. Gum (Periodontal) Disease affects your overall health. Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has been linked to heart disease stroke and diabetes. The inflammatory response that gum disease creates affects all our organs.

3. Dental cleanings and check ups are extremely important. Maintenance is the most important factor with almost everything, from your lawn mower to all aspects of your health. Neglect to your dental maintenance will catch up with you, and the price is going to be your health and in your wallet.

4. Brush you teeth with an electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual brush. Studies have shown that an electric (not battery powered) toothbrush is 48% more effective at removing plaque and bacteria. The more plaque and “bugs” removed from your mouth the less “bugs” you have swimming around causing damage in your mouth and your entire body. Yes, those “bugs” do travel from your mouth into your bloodstream and through your entire body. Kill them before them kill you.

5. Bad breath can be the result of a dental problem. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your dentist or hygienist, we are here to help. One great tip is to brush your tongue and back as far as you can without gagging, of course.

6. Proper nutrition is important for good dental health. You are want you eat. If you fill yourself with junk foods, you bodies output will be just that, Junk! Do you have low energy, tired a lot; need a lot of sleep, or feel stressed out. Check your fuel – what are you eating that is making you feel this way. Rid your diet of sugar, caffeine, and white flour for two weeks and see how you feel.

7. Dental problems do not get better or go away without treatment. If your dentist gives you a treatment plan for dental work that you need to have done, your focus needs to be on getting it done as soon as possible. Cavities do not stay the same size for long, they grow and get bigger. The bigger they get the bigger the chunk they are going to take out of your wallet. Remember cavities are caused by “bugs” and they will continue to eat your tooth away until treatment is completed.

8. Most women have never considered the thought that hormonal changes that they experience through their lives do influence their gums and oral health.

9. Change your toothbrush or brush head for our electric tooth brushers every 4 months. Rinse your brush with iodine to kill bacteria on a daily basis.

10. Maintaining good dental health is easier than neglect. The time and money you will save in good maintenance will ALWAYS out weigh the cost of poor dental health. Remember poor dental health is also poor total health.

For more questions or concerns about these top ten tips,  please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

Symptoms of bruxism include; jaw pain or tiredness, earaches, headaches, chronic facial pain, chewed tissue on the inside of your cheek, chipped or worn teeth, recession, and tooth sensitivity. Also in many cases the gnashing of the teeth can be heard by your spouse, or you may here your children grind their teeth. If you have one or many of these symptoms, you should consult your dentist about a possible problem with bruxism.

In children this is very common due to their mixed dentition. They have both baby and adult teeth in the mouth at the same time, which means their bite is not formed yet. Teeth grinding is usually not a concern with children, although if they experience any symptoms ask your dentist if any harm is being done to their teeth. A night guard can be worn by older children if the grinding is causing damage.

Bruxism in adults is serious and should not be taken lightly. Long term grinding often leads to TMJ (jaw) disorders, chronic headaches, sleep deprivation, and tooth damage.

Causes of grinding can be stress related, changes in sleep cycles, suppresses anger, hyperactive or aggressive personality type, poor nutrition, and most commonly is malocclusion. Malocclusion is a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth when chewing.

Diagnosis and treatment will be discussed with your dentist. Treatments can include one or more of those options; night guard, stress management, TMJ tension relieve devise (NTI), replacing missing teeth, orthodontics, TMJ surgery (last choice option), sleep specialist, and simple relaxation techniques.

Teeth grinding even without symptoms can lead to severe long term damage of your teeth and TMJ. Ask your dentist about your options to stop bruxism today, for the future of your healthy smile.

Heather Metzler RDH

For questions you can call Heather at Smiles for Life

Dr. Jeffery Hartman DMD office on

524 Washington Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone # 814-643-9414

For more questions or concerns about whether you are grinding your teeth,  please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry located in in Huntingdon, PA, is the office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414 , and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

Gingivitis can sometimes be exacerbated with hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, puberty, and steroid therapy. Medications used for seizures, high blood pressure and organ transplants can also promote gum infection, through suppressing the immune system.

Symptoms of gingivitis can include one or many of the following; swelling, redness, pain, and bleeding of the gums, bad breath and bad taste. If you have one or any of these symptoms consult your dentist and hygienist, they can help you by thoroughly cleaning the teeth and showing you where the bacteria like to accumulate in your mouth.

Treatment for gingivitis includes regular dental visits to remove plaque and calculus (dead hard bacteria). Once a hygienist removes the plaque and calculus, regular brushing and flossing will minimize plaque formation, although even with good oral hygiene plaque will begin to accumulate again.

Studies show a clear correlation between gum disease and heart disease, highlighting the fact that people with gum disease have a 25% greater risk of heart disease than people with healthy gums. Scientist believes that the inflammation from the gingivitis releases pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory response. In other words, inflammation in one area of the body can cause inflammation in another.

Overview – Gingivitis is a bacterial overload that has overwhelmed the immune system causing an inflammatory response causing swollen, red, painful, and bleeding gums. The only treatment is a professional dental cleaning and daily plaque removal with brushing and flossing. If not treated gingivitis will result is periodontal disease, which is bone loss around the teeth. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss. On a good note, gingivitis is a reversible disease and does not cause permanent damage if treated in a timely fashion.

For more questions or concerns about whether you have gingivitis, please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

How do you know if damage is happening in your mouth? First and foremost, you need to have routine six month periodontal maintenance and examinations done at your dentist office. This is very important if you would like keep your teeth. Signs that damage is happening includes; red, sore or swollen gums, bleeding gums, gums pulling away from your teeth, loose or sensitive teeth, bad breath, bite that feels different, or dentures/partials not fitting well. If any of these symptoms are happening to you, call your dentist and make an appointment today.

How can you keep your teeth and gums healthy? Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Brush your teeth with an electric or battery powered toothbrush three to four times daily. Floss your teeth twice daily. If you smoke – quit. If you wear false teeth, keep them clean and keep them out at night if you can. Call your dentist right away if you have red, sore, or bleeding gums. Schedule biannual hygiene visits combined with an exam from the dentist. Be sure your dentist knows that you have diabetes. Inform your dentist of any issues regarding your teeth, no symptom is too small. Also be sure your hygienist or dentist performs an oral cancer screening at each appointment.

Diabetes is an extremely destructive disease that effects your entire body, your teeth may be giving you signs that you body is under stress. Pay close attention to your mouth, many times that is where the first signs are found. For more information check out these websites: www.diabeteshealth.com , www.diabetesorg.com, www.eatright.org, or www.nohicr.nih.gov.

Healthy Hints for Smiles for Life by Heather Metzler RDH

For more information or questions contact the office of Jeffery D. Hartman DMD,PC., www.drhartmandentistry.com, 814-643-9414

One common cause of bad breath is food and plaque formation. The breakdown of food particles around your teeth that lead to plaque and bacteria growth will cause a foul odor. There is a very simple solution, which is to brush, brush and brush and floss.

Eating foods containing volatile oils is another source, for example onions, garlic, some vegetables, and alcohol. When digested this foods release pungent oils that enter the bloodstream are carried through the lungs and exhaled when breathing. The solution is to warn your surrounding companions that you ate these types of food and your breath may smell.

Another common cause is a dental problems such as a gum infection and/or dental cavities. Both of these are caused by bacteria that their by-products (waste) result in an odor. The solution is good oral hygiene and regular dental exams to detect decay (cavities) as soon as possible. The diagnosis of gingivitis and periodontal disease is crucial in preventing or stabilizing bone loss around the teeth.

Dry mouth can cause “morning breath”, this occurs naturally during sleeping. Saliva helps cleanse and moisten the mouth, without adequate saliva dead cells accumulate on the tongue, cheeks and gums. The solution is to brush and floss upon waking. Some medications and smoking will also cause dry mouth. Increasing water intake will help keep the mouth moist.

Sinus infections due to nasal discharge can cause mouth odor. Strep throat, tonsillitis, mononucleosis, bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections are all sources of bad breath, until the infection clears.

Tobacco products are of course a smelly source that is very pungent and offensive. Tobacco users are also more likely to have periodontal disease, an additional source of bad breath.

Disease is a very serious cause that can be life threatening. Chronic lung infections and abscesses are very foul-smelling. Kidney failure can cause a urine-like smell. Liver failure may cause an odor described as “fishy”. Uncontrolled diabetes often has a fruity breath odor. Chronic reflux of stomach acids can also produce bad breath. This is a few diseases that are known to produce bad breath, although these are not exclusive.

If simple oral hygiene does not eliminate the bad breath, consult your hygienist or dentist as soon as possible. Your doctor can rule out any serious medical condition.

For more questions or concerns about bad breath and what we can do to eliminate it, please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

The ADA recommends that a dentist examine a child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday. A  dental visit at an early age is called a well baby checkup. Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, the dentist or hygienist can demonstrate how to clean the child’s teeth properly and how to evaluate for any adverse habits such as sucking of the thumb, finger or pacifier.

Baby bottle decay is another problem that can occur in infants and toddlers. This is decay that occurs when sugary liquids are given and left clinging to the Baby teeth for long periods. These liquids include milk, formula, and juices. The bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food. Then produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time your child drinks sugar containing liquids, acids attack their little Baby teeth for 20 minutes after each sip. After many acid attacks, the Baby teeth can decay.

It’s not just what you put in your child’s bottle or sippy cup that causes decay, but how often and for how long of a time. Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day isn’t a good idea. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can also harm the Baby teeth. Sometimes by the time decay is noticed it may be too late to save the Baby teeth. You can prevent decay of baby teeth from happening to your child.

After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad. If Baby teeth are present, brush their teeth following all meals. Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula juices or any other sweetened drink. Avoid filling your child’s bottle with sweetened liquids such as juices and soft drinks. Most importantly visit the dentist regularly before your child’s first birthday which is the starting point for cleanings and examinations. Treat baby teeth with the some importance as permanent teeth. Baby teeth are needed to serve your child in many ways their first years.

If you have more questions or concerns about Baby teeth and your child, please contact us or visit our website. Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.

First ask yourself, why am I anxious and why do I have a  fear of the dentist? People develop anxieties and phobias for many reasons. The most common are pain, loss of control or feeling of helplessness, embarrassment (this is a big one), and negative past experiences. Once you know the root of your fear make a list of things that would help you feel more comfortable and have less of a fear of the dentist while in the dental chair. For example, if you have a fear of the dentist due to loss of control, empowering yourself with knowledge works very well. Ask the dentist and hygienist to explain and describe to you all procedures before and as the procedure is being done. By doing this, you will not only feel in control because you will know exactly what is going on, it also builds up your trust and get rid of your fear of the dentist and dental professionals.

Never be embarrassed by your fear of the Dentist. First, get it off your chest and tell your hygienist you are embarrassed because of your neglect and present condition of your teeth. This will immediately make you feel better if you are in a caring relationship-building dental practice at Dr. Hartman’s in Huntingdon, PA. If you do not get the support you need, look for a new dental office. Remember you are not the only person that has neglected their teeth, and we as dental professionals are just glad you are here seeking treatment.

So you had a negative past dental experience. This also tags along with the top reason people avoid the dentist – PAIN! Good news for you dentistry has changed a lot in the past few years. With the use of lasers, drilling can be eliminated in some cases. Local anesthetic techniques can then make getting numb painless. And if you are still a little nervous nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and conscious sedation may be just what you need. With these two methods you can have pain-free and anxiety-free dental visit. Ask your dentist about nitrous oxide and conscious sedation.

One last technique that can help everyone is deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing is exactly what is says; take big deep breaths through your nose, and exhale also through you nose. Concentrate on your deep breathing and this will naturally help you relax. End Note; Relax, Ask Questions, Express your Fear, Never be Embarrassed, and Ask about all your Pain-Free Options. Schedule an appointment today, and have a great Dental Visit.

Heather Metzler RDH

For more questions or concerns about having a fear of the dentist and how we can help calm these fears please contact us or visit our website.  Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry, office of Dr Jeffery Hartman at 814-643-9414, and our staff will be pleased to assist your needs.