Jean E. Barthman, DDS

"These facts are things every patient should know about visiting the dentist, maintaining good dental care and preventing serious dental problems."

"You’re looking in a mirror and catch a glimpse of your tongue. It looks different. You stick it out, and you think, 'That’s weird; why is my tongue brown?' Don’t panic. Here’s what to know and do if there is a brown coating on your tongue."

"Regular visits to your dentist can help you detect such cancers early, and changing a few potentially harmful habits may help reduce your chances of developing them. Read on to find out the top risk factors."

"The right smile can leave you laughing, fill you with joy or make you melt with emotion. But, ultimately, the best smile is one that is healthy and strong. Here are some of the tooth truths about how tough your teeth really are and how to keep them that way."

"Routine dental appointments not only provide the necessary therapy for vulnerable teeth, but also the education that is critical to the personal treatment and prevention of inflammation and bacteria growth in the mouth. As new medical insurance policies adjust our access to oral health in America, many individuals are now focusing on prevention as a means of keeping treatment costs down."

"A child's oral health is closely related to the family's overall dental health and hygiene practices. The Age One Visit can educate parents or caregivers on the importance of their own good oral hygiene."

"In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable."

"Malocclusion is a term commonly used by orthodontists that simply means that the teeth are not aligned the way they should be. The upper teeth should land slightly over the lower teeth when a person bites their teeth together."

"If you have noticed your toddler grinding their teeth, you may be wondering if the behavior is normal. The unpleasant sound can cause concern, but usually, it's safe. Only in some cases do you have to step in."

"Fear of pain is the main reason people avoid seeing the dentist. The good news is that there is a wide array of medications and techniques -- used alone or in combination -- that can reduce or eliminate pain and control anxiety during most procedures."

"A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth -- to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance."

"Tooth pain, is usually caused by problems with the teeth or jaws. The degree of tooth pain can range from mildly annoying to excruciatingly painful. The treatments for tooth pain may be as simple as improving your oral health care routine, or as complicated as oral surgery."

"Even if you didn't need braces as a kid or teenager, it's possible that over the years, you've developed crooked teeth. Your teeth can shift as you age, due to poor oral care habits or lost teeth. As a result, you might feel embarrassed to smile with your mouth open. To further complicate matters, the less straight your teeth are, the more likely you might be to have trouble with oral hygiene."

"Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when there is insufficient saliva in the mouth. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, or if you wake up with a sticky, dry feeling in your mouth, you could have dry mouth."

"Dry mouth is not a condition reserved for those who are scared of public speaking; the condition can affect just about anyone. While it might not sound like the most serious of side effects, dry mouth can be very uncomfortable for those who constantly struggle with it. A lack of saliva can lead to discomfort, dental decay and even pain, so it's important to understand chronic dry mouth causes."

"As you age, it becomes even more important to take good care of your teeth and dental health. One common misconception is that losing your teeth is inevitable. This is not true. If cared for properly, your teeth can last a lifetime."

"Flossing can be difficult, especially for young children and older adults with arthritis. Rather than give up, look for tools that can help you floss your teeth. Ready-to-use dental flossers from the drugstore can make a difference."

"If you have a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a serious tooth infection (abscess), your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it."

"Although brushing is the focal point of your child's daily dental routine, flossing is just as important. Flossing helps to remove the food particles and plaque that build up between the teeth and gumline that a toothbrush typically can't reach."

How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

"People often use the word " headache " to describe a particularly annoying problem that's confronting them. But far too many people suffer from actual headaches, even migraines in many cases. These painful headaches can come with a variety of symptoms, not all of them limited to the head. In some instances, there's a link between having a migraine and tooth pain."

"If you are suffering from both a headache and a toothache, it's natural to wonder if the two symptoms are related. Perhaps your toothache is triggering your headache, or perhaps the combination of your headache and toothache indicates an underlying health problem like a sinus infection or temporomandibular joint dysfunction."

"If you’re worried you might have gum disease, there’s good reason for that. Gum disease affects nearly half of the U.S. adult population.1 That’s just under 65 million people! It’s one of the most common reasons people see the dentist. So, are you at risk?"

"Your mouth is more than just a pretty smile. It's also a gateway to your overall health. Keeping that gateway clean may keep you healthier longer -- and looking younger."

"When you have a cold or the flu, taking care of your body is your top priorityand that includes your mouth. It’s important to take care of your dental health all year round, but especially when you’re sick, Dr. Romo says."

"Tooth sensitivity can occur from drinking a cold beverage or when biting into a hot food. But how do you know when it's normal and when it should concern you? For starters, some people do just have sensitive teeth, but extreme tooth sensitivity is usually a sign of a problem deeper within your gumline."

"A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the sinus linings. The results can be uncomfortable symptoms, including facial pain and pressure, runny nose, headache, and, sometimes, tooth pain."

"If you’re trying to score top marks at your next dental appointment, in addition to your brushing and flossing regimen, the food you put in your mouth plays a crucial role in overall oral health."

"Adults normally have 32 permanent teeth, while children have 20 baby teeth. Though rare, extra teeth can develop in the moutha condition known as hyperdontia; the extra teeth themselves are called supernumerary teeth."

"Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy. This helps to avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and more."

"Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care or oral surgery for the general health of the teeth. However, Medicare may approve coverage for oral surgery in special cases."