Canker Sores 101

Canker sores are irritating wounds in your mouth that make chewing, talking, and even moving your jaw incredibly painful. But you don’t have to suffer forever. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri specializes in all things relating to the mouth, including canker sores. Here’s everything you need to know about canker sores.

What Do Canker Sores Look Like?

Canker sores or mouth ulcers emerge as small shallow open wounds in the mouth. Usually appearing under the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks, canker sores are red with a thin grey, yellow or white film. 

There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform sores. Minor canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. Major and herpetiform sores are rarer, both with longer healing periods Major canker sores may scar as they heal. 

Causes

We don’t know exactly what causes canker sores, but your Los Angeles, CA dentist rounded up some potential triggers:

Stress
Physical trauma like rough brushing, biting, or metal braces scratching around the gum line

Poor dental hygiene

Acidic and spicy foods
Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12
Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly used in toothpaste

Treatment

Canker sores aren’t serious and certainly not contagious. Usually, these ulcers heal within 7-10 days, but if you get persistent canker sores or experience extreme pain, contact Dr. Haeri’s office for an appointment today.

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.

3 Ways Stress Affects Your Dental Health

Stress is usually synonymous with mental or emotional strain, but this strain also affects your oral health. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri treats all things teeth, including all stress-induced conditions.

Teeth Grinding

Bruxism or clenching and grinding of the teeth can be caused by stress and anxiety. Oftentimes, you’re unaware you’re even grinding since occurs during sleep, leading to enamel damage and even jaw soreness and headaches. To protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding, your Los Angeles, CA dentist recommends a dental night guard to wear. 

Gum Disease

Another condition potentially caused by stress is gum disease. If you’re under extreme stress, you’re more inclined to snacking on sugary food or even forgetting to take care of your teeth. Failure to brush or floss regularly increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Canker Sores

Canker sores or mouth ulcers are also thought to be triggered by stress or a decreased immune system. These small shallow wounds occur around the insides of your lips and make it difficult to eat or talk. While these sores naturally disappear after 7-10 days, contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haeri.

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.

6 Tips to Improve Your Smile

Your smile is key to making a good first impression. That’s why Dr. Suzanne Haeri is passionate about improving her patients’ smiles at her Los Angeles, CA office one mouth at a time. Here are six ways to transform your smile today!

 

Proper Hygiene

Regularly flossing and brushing your teeth is a no-brainer for keeping your smile beautiful and healthy. Without proper care, your molars will rot and decay. Invest in a good quality toothbrush for use twice a day. Try to rinse your mouth with water after every meal to remove any lingering debris in your molars. Forming good habits like this will take you far in achieving the pearly smile you dream of! 

 

Eating Healthy
It’s no secret that sugary drinks and junk food have a big impact on your teeth. If you want a beautiful smile, its best to stay away from unhealthy foods. A little candy or soft drink is fine here and there, but don’t let your sugar tooth run loose.  Too much sugar results in everything to avoid for a pretty smile: cavities, tooth decay, enamel, and gum erosion, and much more.

 

Avoid Foods That Stain
Coffee, red wine, and even tomatoes are just some of the many foods that stain your natural teeth hue. But, you don’t have to ditch the drink right away. Instead, opt for a straw when you sip and rinse after consuming.

 

Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
Some teeth stains are unavoidable and that’s where your Los Angeles, CA dentist comes in. To return your teeth to their natural color, we offer teeth whitening trays to use in the comfort of your own home. First, we’ll make an impression of your teeth. Then we’ll send you off with a custom whitening tray and gel to apply after the process is complete. For whitening your teeth beyond their natural color,  Dr. Haeri recommends bleaching which can be done at our LA office.

 

Braces

Do you have gaps or crooked teeth? Braces are a great way to fix this issue all while drastically altering your smile for the better.

 

Veneers and Lumineers
Veneers and Lumineers are great options for people interested in changing their smiles. Made of porcelain, veneers are thin casings of ceramic that bond to the front of discolored or crooked teeth. Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineers don’t involve anesthesia.

 

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.