Protect Your Teeth during the Holidays

We know how hard you worked for your dazzling smile. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, patients can expect high-quality treatments for tooth stains and decay, but we take a preventive approach, too. During the winter holidays, people have a lot more exposure to sugar, so we want to provide them with some tips for keeping their teeth safe while remaining sociable.

Dental stains are usually caused by dark-colored drinks such as coffee, soda, red wine, and hot chocolate. These drinks, as well as apple cider, eggnog, and spirits, can also be high in sugar. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria metabolizing sugar and excreting acid, so the amount of decay a person experiences correlates with the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar. If people take sips slowly and don’t drink water afterward, their teeth will remain coated in residue. Bacteria can also metabolize complex sugars, so bits of crackers, breadcrumbs, or potato starch stuck in between teeth can be converted into acid. Naturally, hard candies, such as candy canes, also put the teeth at risk.

You don’t want to overuse whitening toothpaste, but you don’t want sugar to remain stuck on your teeth for several hours, either. You could try limiting your sugar intake to meals, when you will be producing more saliva. That will help wash away residue. You could also chew sugar-free gum in between meals to dislodge debris and stimulate more saliva. Drink fluoridated water in between sips of sugary or stain-causing drinks to wash them away. If you’re traveling to somewhere without fluoridation, you might bring a few bottles with you.

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.

 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Do you notice a popping or a clicking sound in your jaw while chewing your food? If so, this may be a sign of a temporomandibular joint disorder. The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. These bones help you speak, eat, and yawn. If this area becomes injured, it may lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Fortunately, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS can discuss treatment options with you.

The first symptom of a temporomandibular joint disorder is a pain in the jaw area. Jaw pain may occur on one or both sides, depending on the cause. Other symptoms include headaches, stiff or sore jaw muscles, or locking of the jaw joint. When home treatments such as ice packs or anti-inflammatory drugs do not work, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS may suggest a night guard as a form of treatment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding TMJ/TMD, 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.

Dental Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Nearly half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth. To prevent them from forming, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS offers dental sealants to eligible candidates. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces where pits and groves tend to trap food and bacteria. Sealants fill in these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply.

Sealants are easy for Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS to apply. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaques and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. With proper oral care, dental sealants can last up to ten years.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric dentistry, 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.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Dr. Suzanne Haeri has seen many patients who experience some level of anxiety with each dental procedure or appointment. Some patients have had negative experiences with dental procedures that make them anxious, and others may have a sensitive gag reflex that has always made dental work dreadful.  We understand why a dental appointment could be intimidating, but do not want to see patients delaying treatment because of these fears.  Oral conscious sedation is an option we recommend for patients experiencing dental anxiety. 

Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a pill orally (usually Valium) before a procedure.  The light sedative relaxes the patient but does not ‘knock out’ the patient, as they remain conscious.  They are brought to an extremely relaxed state, and when the dentist begins working, local anesthetic is still used at the site of the procedure.  The combination of oral conscious sedation and local anesthetic means the patient can stay relaxed and usually allows the dentist to complete more work in one session.  This makes a more pleasant experience for an anxious patient, and can even mean less dental appointments overall!

To learn more about oral conscious sedation and all the services provided at the 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.