Assisant Shannon using our new iTero scanner to scan a patients teeth. iTero is now used in our office rather than using impression materal. This is a faster, more effective and more comfortable way for crowns, bridges, and Invisalign to be produced for our patients.

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.

Hi I’m Dr. Jeffery Hartman from Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry in Huntingdon, PA.

Are you tired of getting cavities? Modern dentistry has become very efficient at plugging holes that germs eat in your teeth.

But did you know that cavities are only the symptom of an infectious disease.  Why keep throwing money at the symptoms? At Smiles for Life Total Health Dentistry we practice a holistic approach to dentistry we want to free you from the dental disease process that causes cavities not just pack filling in your teeth and wait for you to come back in 6 – 12 months with more cavities. Our holistic dentistry approach will help you discover how to eliminate dental disease like tooth decay from your life.

I’m Dr. Jeffery Hartman and I’m proud to offer total health dentistry so you can experience a pleasing healthy smile for life learn more because dental care is more than just your teeth it’s about total body wellness visit Drhartmandentistry.com.

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

Hi, I’m Dr. Jeffery Hartman from Smiles For Life Dentistry in Huntingdon, PA. I’m excited to share my years of experience using lasers in dentistry, using a comfortable water cooled laser we’re able to vaporize tooth decay quickly and painlessly many times the laser eliminates the need for a shot in fact the laser replaces the use of the drill for many situations.

If you’d like to experience the no shot no drill method of fixing your teeth I’d be happy to add you to my list of satisfied dental laser patients many patients are surprised how quickly the laser procedures are completed.

They’re excited to be able to leave without that numb lip or face feeling. You’ll love the experience that laser dentistry technology can give you and your family.

Imagine your children growing up without the experience of a dental drill or a dental shot, laser dentistry provided by Smiles for Life Dentistry in Huntingdon, PA can be one of the greatest health care gifts you can give your children or yourself to learn more about the comfort of laser dentistry visit www.drhartmandentistry.com or call us at (814)-643-9414.

Hi, I’m Dr. Jeffrey Hartman. I’ve been practicing mercury free and holistic dentistry since 1988. As political and government agencies continue the debate over how much toxic mercury’s okay, we took the common sense approach at Smiles for Life Dentistry in Huntingdon, PA years ago. My first priority is to do no harm to my dental patients. My training as a biochemist taught me that all permanently placed foreign materials have some effect on a person’s immune system. I specialize in evaluating all dental materials for compatibility for you personally.

Why risk having a toxic or allergenic material placed in your mouth.   The possibility of an allergic response is on the label of many dental materials and I take those manufacture labels seriously. We give you the opportunity to have your personal response to dental materials tested before they’re placed in your mouth.  There is a healthier approach to dental care.  Learn more at www.DrHartmanDentistry.com.

I’m Dr. Jeffery Hartman from Smiles For Life Dentistry, 524 Washington Street, Huntingdon. Dental care is more than just about your teeth, it’s about total body wellness, visit 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.