Oral Health and Heart Disease

In a 2018 study conducted by the American Heart Association (AHA), poor oral health was shown to be linked to several cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri is passionate about oral health, which she believes fosters long-term wellness and prevents illnesses like heart disease. 

The Heart and Your Oral Health: How Are They Connected?

Many studies prove the link between heart health and dental habits. One study published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology revealed that people who have gum disease or periodontal disease have higher risks of developing heart disease. But gum disease isn’t the only condition that can lead to heart disease. Poor brushing habits can also lead to heart conditions, according to findings presented at the AHA’s 2018 Scientific Session. 

Researchers have two theories of how oral health and the heart are connected. One way the two are connected is through the body’s bloodstream. Harmful bacteria in the mouth can spread through your bloodstream to the heart, elevating C reactive proteins that are associated with heart attacks. Another theory is that heart disease is your brain and body’s response to inflammation and plaque buildup in the gums and teeth. 

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Your Los Angeles, CA dentist recommends healthy habits to prevent heart disease. These include:

-Eating a healthy diet chock full of fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and rinse out plaque.

-Regular visits to the dentist. At our L.A. clinic, we stay alert for heart disease indicators and provide thorough dental cleanings to reduce your mouth’s dangerous bacteria.

-Proper brushing and flossing. Make sure to brush and floss at least twice a day.

-Avoid smoking and tobacco use. These substances are not just bad for your oral and heart health, but your entire body, so it’s best to stay away.

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.

Dentures vs. Implants

Dentures or implants? If you’re confused about which option is the best for you, Dr. Suzanne Haeri of Los Angeles, CA can help. Our L.A. clinic uses many forms of technology like dentures and implants to transform your smile. 

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth and are designed to be placed above your gums. There are three types of dentures:

-Conventional dentures:

This type of denture is placed into your mouth only after all of your teeth are removed and the gum tissue is healed completely.  Typically, the healing process will take several months, so you won’t have teeth for that whole period.

-Immediate dentures:

Unlike conventional dentures, you don’t have to spend time without teeth if you choose immediate dentures. Your Los Angeles, CA dentist will fit dentures in your mouth before your teeth are taken out. After the teeth are removed, the dentures are placed immediately in the mouth. Once the jawbone is healed, Dr. Haeri will tighten your dentures to refit your mouth.

-Partial dentures:

If you’re only missing some of your teeth, you may be a candidate for partial dentures. Using precision attachments, partial dentures are connected to the natural teeth that already remain in your mouth and do not need to be removed. 

What Are Implants?

Implants are a permanent solution to replace crooked or missing teeth. Instead of altering any teeth, implants replicate the root of the natural tooth and bond to your jawbone. Unlike dentures, implants feel like natural teeth and are meant to be cared for like natural teeth. After anesthesia, Dr. Haeri will place a titanium screw into your jaw bone. With an abutment and crown placed on the implant, the new tooth will appear just like a natural tooth and remain permanent. 

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.

Wisdom Teeth: To Extract or Not?

Wisdom teeth are usually synonymous with pain, infection, crowding, and swollen gums. The general solution to these issues is extraction. But what if you don’t experience any of those symptoms? Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri provides expert care for wisdom teeth, from extractions to dental hygiene. 

 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth typically grow in the 17-25 age years, emerging in the upper and lower back areas of the mouth. Since they are the last to appear in the human mouth, they’ve garnered the title “wisdom” and presumably make you wiser. Wisdom teeth were once very useful in human history, aiding our ancestors to chew and tear tough roots, meats, nuts, and plants. But because most of the human diet today is soft and cooked foods, the need for wisdom is virtually none, with anthropologists suggesting their DNA may soon completely disappear from genetics.

 

When to Extract?

When a wisdom tooth can’t break through the gums or is stuck under the gums, this means it’s impacted. A wisdom tooth that grows at the wrong angle due to lack of room in the mouth also is impacted. Partially impacted wisdom teeth, which only slightly emerge from the gums are also a cause for concern. 

 

Your Los Angeles, CA dentist recommends an extraction when your wisdom tooth is impacted and you experience the following symptoms:

 

-Pain

-Infection

-Ulcers near the tooth

-Tooth decay

-Damage to nearby teeth

-Gum disease

-Trouble opening jaw

-Bleeding gums

-Sudden bad breath

 

Sometimes wisdom teeth, even if not impacted, don’t need to be removed because they cause no oral health issues. Here are examples of when you don’t need an extraction:

 

-Your wisdom teeth are healthy and fully grown in

-Your wisdom teeth are positioned correctly

-Your wisdom teeth are easily reached for proper dental hygiene

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.