expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Barbara A. Tarnoski, D.M.D.

Dentist | General Practice

Dr. Barbara Tarnoski is a Dentist practicing in Drexel Hill, PA. Dr. Tarnoski specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.

Dr. Tarnoski practices at Philadelphia Dental Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry, LLC. This office offers LANAP and LAPIP Laser Services. These services use the Periolase MVP-7 Laser(TM). This laser, was built specifically to treat gum disease of natural teeth (LANAP) and gum disease of implants (LAPIP). The unique wavelength targets the bacteria that causes gum disease but uses a minimally invasive, BUT highly effective treatment. With LANAP and LAPIP there is no cutting/no sewing. There is less pain. This laser stimulates YOUR OWN BODY's STEM CELLS. Your body rebuilds its own supporting tooth structures to the best of its ability. THIS IS "YOUR SECOND CHANCE" to start with a mouth free of all gum disease bacteria. All gum disease bacteria is gone in one treatment!

Good mouth care is now your future. Mouth bacteria, gum disease bacteria, are not just staying in your mouth. The research shows, bacteria in your mouth gets into your bloodstream and is traveling to your brain, liver, pancreas, kidneys, joints, bladder, (etc.). Gum Disease and ALZHEIMER'S--There is a relationship. Inflamed arteries and veins, uncontrolled High Blood Pressure, High blood sugar, Pancreatic Cancer, all have a relationship. A high percentage of these patients have or had gum disease.

Our office helps patients develop a mouth care plan. No flossing, careless brushing but you visit your dentist twice a year? Patients have their teeth in their mouth--24/7: putting food in your mouth continuously, not cleaning your mouth to remove food particles? Food particles are rotting in your mouth and along with the bacteria and this is moving all over you body and we know this can't be good. The damage from cigarettes alone has injured our bodies. You don't smoke? But what about the bacteria and the toxins roaming all over your body, this can't good. The best you can do is clean your mouth, teeth and remove the bacteria. Your significant other can also have gum disease. Close contact
transmits gum disease. Parents lack of good mouth care can affect their children.

Mouth care is major part of our office. We also work with those patients who have been in head and neck pain longer than 18 months. We work with TMJ patients but also work with patients who are still in pain.

Our office practices general dentistry.




Dr. Barbara A. Tarnoski, D.M.D.
Specializes in:
  • Gum Disease
  • Teeth, And Gum Care
  • Tooth implant
  • Dental Braces
  • Drexel HIll, PA
  • Temple University
  • Accepting new patients

How do you relax your jaw with TMJ?

ARE YOU BEING TREATED FOR TMJ? THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF: 1. DO NOT EAT LARGE SANDWICHES. OPENING YOUR MOUTH TO EAT HOAGIES, CLUB SANDWICHES. READ MORE
ARE YOU BEING TREATED FOR TMJ? THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF:
1. DO NOT EAT LARGE SANDWICHES. OPENING YOUR MOUTH TO EAT HOAGIES, CLUB SANDWICHES.
2. DON'T BITE HARD CANDIES, NUTS, ICE.
3. USE WARM WET WASH CLOTHS ON BOTH SIDES OF YOUR FACE.
4. BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP, SAY OUTLOUD 3 TIMES, IF I FLOSS MY TEETH, I SHALL AWAKEN. IT WORKS.
IF YOU WERE GIVEN A NIGHT GUARD, WEAR IT. IF THE NIGHT GUARD DOESN'T WORK YOUR PRIMARY PROBLEM IS NOT TMJ.
YOU MAY BE BITING DOWN TO STOP YOUR PAIN, THE NIGHT GUARD WILL HELP YOU.
YOU HAVE PAIN , BUT YOUR PROBLEM MAY BE MORE COMPLICATED..

Can a crown that is too high cause pain?

IF A CROWN IS "TOO HIGH" WHEN YOUR UPPER AND LOWER TEETH COME TOGETHER,THAT TOOTH CAN CAUSE PAIN. SOMETIMES THERE ARE OTHER TEETH OUT OF OCCLUSION. YOUR DENTIST WILL ADJUST YOUR READ MORE
IF A CROWN IS "TOO HIGH" WHEN YOUR UPPER AND LOWER TEETH COME TOGETHER,THAT TOOTH CAN CAUSE PAIN. SOMETIMES THERE ARE OTHER TEETH OUT OF OCCLUSION. YOUR DENTIST WILL ADJUST YOUR OCCLUSION OR BITE.
OUR TEETH ARE ALWAYS MOVING. SOMETIMES WHEN WE ARE UNDER STRESS WE GRIND OUR TEETH. THE PAIN FROM A
FEW TEETH OUT OF OCCLUSION CAN BE PAINFUL. WHEN A TOOTH IS HURTING, THE FIRST THING AFTER THE XRAY IS TO CHECK YOUR BITE. IT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS FOR THE PAIN TO ABATE.

When can I use mouthwash after a tooth extraction?

Follow the directions your doctor gives you. Salt water rinses several times a day, especially after eating.




Is a white filling better than silver?

Tooth colored fillings form chemical bond to your to your tooth. Silver has mercury mixed with it and is a metal. Most dentists prefer the resin.

What is the best color for veneers?

Vaneers are placed on the facial surface of anterior (front teeth). The shade of vaneers usually matches the shade of your tooth's natural shade. If you are having vaneers done, READ MORE
Vaneers are placed on the facial surface of anterior (front teeth). The shade of vaneers usually matches the shade of your tooth's natural shade. If you are having vaneers done, you have to take care of them.
You can't bite into anything. You have to floss the gumline area. There are different ways teeth can be prepared for vaneers. If your tooth's incisal edge is going to be removed you would want to know it. Keeping your vaneers clean. Floss and brush them like you take care of your own teeth. Anything taken care of will last.

Why do I have grey lines on my teeth?

If you were placed on tetracycline therapy as a child, this might be the cause. You can whiten your teeth. If you go out in the sun, sun exposure can make the lines darker.

Is it ok to get a crown without a root canal?

You can have a crown without a root canal. Some dentists believe that if you have a crown placed on a vital tooth, in a few years you will need a root canal. The dentist will READ MORE
You can have a crown without a root canal. Some dentists believe that if you have a crown placed on a vital tooth, in a few years you will need a root canal. The dentist will open the pulp chamber through your crown. Your crown will have a filling. The choice should be your.

Which is better floss or floss picks?

AS LONG AS YOU FLOSS CORRECTLY, IT IS WHAT WORKS FOR YOU THAT COUNTS. FLOSSING IS NOT JUST TO REMOVE THE FOOD PARTICLES STUCK BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. CORRECT FLOSSING IS TO REMOVE READ MORE
AS LONG AS YOU FLOSS CORRECTLY, IT IS WHAT WORKS FOR YOU THAT COUNTS. FLOSSING IS NOT JUST TO REMOVE THE FOOD PARTICLES STUCK BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. CORRECT FLOSSING IS TO REMOVE THE PLAQUE THAT FORMS AROUND OUR GUMLINE EVERY DAY. PLAQUE IS A STICKY MASS OF BACTERIA THAT FORMS AROUND THE NECKS OF OUR TEETH AT THE GUMLINE AND ON OUR TEETH. ONLY FLOSS CAN REMOVE THE PLAQUE AROUND OUR GUMLINE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A TOOTHBRUSH MADE THAT CAN REMOVE PLACQUE BETWEEN OUR TEETH. PLAQUE FORMS EVERY DAY WHETHER WE EAT OR NOT
IF PLAQUE IS NOT REMOVED IN 24 TO 48 HOURS PLAQUE CRYSTALLIZES. WHEN PLAQUE CRYSTALLIZES ONLY DENTAL INSTRUMENTS CAN REMOVE IT. OUR SALIVA CONTAINS CALCIUM. THIS CALCIUM WILL HARDEN. HARDENED CALCIUM IS CALLED CALCULUS OR TARTAR. TARTAR AND PLAQUE ARE TWO DIFFERENT LAYERS. TARTAR IS MORE OF A PHYSICAL IRRITANT. TARTAR CAN TRAP FOOD PARTICLES AND DEBRIS AND CAUSE A LOCAL IRRITATION. PLAQUE IS CONSTANTLY FORMING CRYSTALLIZES AND FORMS every day. The bacteria in plaque can penetrate tartar and gets close to your teeth. Weakened enamel can easily become cavities.
Most people do not floss correctly everyday.

Plaque bacteria is one of the main causes of gum disease, tooth loss and inflammation of your blood vessels and organs.

How can I make flossing easier?

Correct flossing and brushing should not be difficult. In the past when you went to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned the hygienist would make the comment that you know how READ MORE
Correct flossing and brushing should not be difficult. In the past when you went to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned the hygienist would make the comment that you know how to floss. Patients not wanting the hygienist feel that they don't know how to floss, will say yes.
Giving a patient a piece of floss and asking the patient to floss is a mind blowing experience.
MOST PATIENTS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FLOSS. MOST PATIENTS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROTECT THEIR TEETH.
OUR TEETH AND GUM TISSUE ARE PRECIOUS.
DON'T BITE INTO APPLES. DON'T CHEW ICE.
IF YOU HAVE A LARGE FILLING IN A TOOTH, DON'T EAT HARD NUTS. I have patients with large fillings and I TELL them don't chew hard nuts. A few weeks later a call is made to the OFFICE informing us this patient was flossing and her filling came out.
More than likely this patient ate nuts a few days before and the filling already was loosened.
A tooth can be filled only a number of times. Each time a tooth is filled the amount of tooth structure remaining is less. A tooth can reach a point where it can't be repaired. If you have a root canaled tooth, this tooth is not as strong as a tooth that is not root canaled. If you are having a tooth root canaled, you want to protect that tooth. Eating a raw carrot, splitting the tooth down middle and wanting to know what's next?Dentists can only do so much. DENTISTRY CAN'T repair teeth decayed or broken off at the gumline. Just because you are in a dental office that is no guarantee your teeth can be saved.
If you are having problems flossing CHANCES are you having not been gliding the floss down far enough. When you floss you are placing the floss along the side of your tooth. You go down as far as you can and gently scrape up and down. You may see a soft white film. You do not touch the pink tissue. You move the floss to a clean area and slide the floss down the side of an adjacent tooth go down as far as you can and gently scrape up and down. You can see your dentist and ask how you should be flossing and brushing your teeth correctly. Flossing has to be done daily. Brushing your teeth starting at the gumline has to be done daily. You will be surprised how fresh your mouth will feel.
Cleaning your tongue with a tongue cleaner is a part of home care.

Can you floss a crowned tooth?

By all means you treat your crowned tooth like your regular teeth. Where your crown and tooth structure meet is where your tooth is most vulnerable.

Can naturally yellow teeth be whitened?

All shades of teeth can be whitened. You may have plaque that has a yellowish tinge. After you have your teeth whitened you may want to pay attention to flossing and brushing READ MORE
All shades of teeth can be whitened. You may have plaque that has a yellowish tinge. After you have your teeth whitened you may want to pay attention to flossing and brushing correctly.

How quickly does plaque grow?

This may be a surprise to you but plaque forms every day. It doesn't matter if you eat or don't eat, plaque forms. Plaque is a sticky mass of bacteria that forms on your gumline READ MORE
This may be a surprise to you but plaque forms every day. It doesn't matter if you eat or don't eat, plaque forms. Plaque is a sticky mass of bacteria that forms on your gumline and teeth every day. If plaque is not removed it will crystallize in 24 to 48 hours. Once plaque crystallizes only dental INSTRUMENTS can remove it. Along with plaque formlng every day, you have calcium in your saliva. This calcium will harden. Hardened calcium is CALLED CALCULUS or TARTAR. TARTAR AND PLAQUE ARE TWO DIFFERENT LAYERS. PLAQUE FORMING EVERY DAY CAN PENETRATE TARTAR AND GETS CLOSE TO YOUR TEETH.
CORRECT FLOSSING AND BRUSHING MUST BE DONE EVERY DAY.
Calcium

Do braces change your face shape?

The purpose of braces is to place each tooth in the proper position. If you see any positive results in the way you look that is your bonus. While you are under brace TREATMENT READ MORE
The purpose of braces is to place each tooth in the proper position. If you see any positive results in the way you look that is your bonus.
While you are under brace TREATMENT any habits you may have ie. Tongue THRUSTING, you are told how to correct it. Keeping your teeth clean while under treatment is a must.

Is it necessary to have wisdom teeth removed?

WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR 6 MONTH VISIT CHECK WITH YOUR DENTIST. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PANOREX TAKEN. ONLY ONE PERSON OUT OF 25 HAS ROOM FOR ALL 4 WISDOM TEETH. SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE READ MORE
WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR 6 MONTH VISIT CHECK WITH YOUR DENTIST. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PANOREX TAKEN. ONLY ONE PERSON
OUT OF 25 HAS ROOM FOR ALL 4 WISDOM TEETH. SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WILL HAVE ROOM BUT AS YOUR MOUTH GROWS THERE MAY NOT ROOM. IF IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WILL NOT HAVE ROOM IT IS BETTER TO HAVE YOUR WISDOM TEETH REMOVED BEFORE THEY START TO BOTHER YOU. THESE WISDOM TEETH CAN RUIN YOUR NATURAL TEETH.

What are the disadvantages of veneers?

There are different ways a tooth can be prepared for veneers. I HAVE to say something about taking care of your teeth: I have seen, heard about the destruction patients do to their READ MORE
There are different ways a tooth can be prepared for veneers. I HAVE to say something about taking care of your teeth: I have seen, heard about the destruction patients do to their teeth.
Patients don't floss and brush correctly on a daily basis. Biting into apples or other hard objects, using teeth as tools, opening jars, taking bottle caps off using your teeth, opening chip
bags using your teeth, etc. As we get older, our teeth get brittle. Chewing nuts, even dry roasted nuts, can crack your teeth. Biting ice, teeth with large fillings can easily fracture down to the roots. Any root canaled teeth can easily fracture. Teeth being root canaled can fracture. Raw carrots crack so many teeth. Having said that, any dental work can last if it is taken care of.

Back to veneers. In the beginning, veneers were placed down to the incisal edge. Due to patients'
lack of care, their veneers kept popping off. Some dentists started preparing the teeth by wrapping the veneers around the incisal edge. If you have veneers, you have to take care of them. Where the edge of the veneer meets your natural tooth, this area has to be cleaned. Think before you do anything that can damage your teeth.

What happens if a cavity is too deep?

If a cavity is too deep, you may have to make some decisions. Your dentist may try to "save" your tooth. If your cavity has not entered the pulp chamber of your tooth, an indirect READ MORE
If a cavity is too deep, you may have to make some decisions. Your dentist may try to "save" your tooth. If your cavity has not entered the pulp chamber of your tooth, an indirect pulp capping may be tried. A layer of material is placed over the area near your nerve chamber. This layer provides insulation and medication. Your tooth is then restored. If the cavity enters the pulp chamber, then a direct pulp capping is done. The open chamber is medicated, then a layer of material is placed over the opening and the tooth is restored. There are 2 PROCEDURES may or may not work. You may be told that you that you need a root canal. Root canals may or may not work. With the 3 PROCEDURES stated, you have to be careful what you eat. Biting nuts; ice chewing, hard candies, gummy sticky candy DESTROYS teeth. Implants are far too expensive. If patients haven't taken care of the teeth they have, implants require good home care. This is why flossing correctly daily and brushing correctly daily is so important. With the latest research, poor mouth care can lead to gum disease. Gum disease can affect our present and future health.

How long should a crown hurt?

If your crown hurts, call your dentist. Your crown may need to be adjusted. Our teeth are moving all the time. Healthy teeth have a membrane surrounding them. This periodontal READ MORE
If your crown hurts, call your dentist. Your crown may need to be adjusted. Our teeth are moving all the time. Healthy teeth have a membrane surrounding them. This periodontal membrane acts like a trampoline. Right now, your crown is hitting hard in one place. This constant force is is irritating areas of your periodontal membrane. Once your bite is adjusted, the pain should go away.

What can you eat when you have toothache?

Please see your dentist. Rinsing with warm salt water may help. Drink liquids. Mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. Whatever you are able to eat.


How long does it take to get dentures after teeth are pulled?

It depends on how you heal before you have the impressions taken. Rinsing several times daily with warm salt water does wonders for your mouth tissues.

Is brushing your teeth 3 times a day bad?

You have to floss correctly and brush correctly daily.. if you are not flossing correctly you will loose your teeth. Not flossing correctly every day can have a serious affect READ MORE
You have to floss correctly and brush correctly daily.. if you are not flossing correctly you will loose your teeth. Not flossing correctly every day can have a serious affect on your total body health, .present health and future health.