Suzanne Haeri DDS

Monday, June 18, 2018

Flossing with Traditional Braces

As Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS will tell you, flossing can be difficult when you have traditional metal braces, but it’s more important than ever to keep the gaps in your teeth clean when you have a mouth full of metal. Many folks who have braces don’t know how to floss with them or think that they can’t floss at all if they have braces and this is not true. Here are some tips for flossing effectively in addition to keeping those brackets and wires clean.



  • Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.

  • Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.

  • Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.

  • Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.


If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Brushing Teeth with Traditional Braces

Traditional braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. Though Dr. Suzanne Haeri DDS, can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, she can provide you with the following routine that will help make brushing with traditional braces both easy and effective.



  • Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.

  • Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.

  • Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.


If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Fluorosis

Dr. Suzanne Haeri of South Carthay specializes in difficult cases of cosmetic dentistry. As part of her patient education program, she wants people to learn more about fluorosis, a rare but easily-misunderstood condition.


Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. Dentists commonly apply it to children’s teeth and many cities supply it through the water. However, it is possible for people to consume an excessive amount. If this happens, their teeth may become discolored. The effect of this would usually be mild enough to only be visible during a dental examination, but in the worst cases, still-developing teeth in a child may turn brown.


To mitigate the risk of excessive fluoride consumption, it is important for children to learn to spit out their toothpaste once they’re done brushing. When brushing the teeth of a child who is too young to spit, parents should be careful to only use a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Parents should also not give their children fluoride supplements without consultation with a dentist. Excessive fluoridation results in internal tooth stains, which cannot be bleached away, but they can be covered with Lumineers.


Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.


 

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we understand the importance of a dentist to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis’s care team. New research has shed light on the relationship between autoimmune disorders and periodontal disease and it’s important for patients to know what challenges they face.


The term arthritis describes problems affecting a person’s joints. It’s not surprising that people with arthritis would have difficulty grasping and using a toothbrush, but the research suggests something else is going on. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking synovium, the lining of joints, resulting in inflammation. Scientists have found similar genetic structures between synovium and gum tissue. If the gums are also being harmed by an autoimmune response, it could explain why people with rheumatoid arthritis have gum disease at twice the rate of the general population and why gum disease is common in people whose arthritis hasn’t yet progressed to interfering with their brushing.


Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Smoking is a major contributor. Studies have shown that even with rheumatoid arthritis, people can significantly reduce their chances of developing gum disease by maintaining their oral hygiene, but it is crucial for them to maintain regular dental examinations.


Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.