Importance of Dental Hygiene

Kids hear it, the neighbor hears it, grandma hears it: take care of your teeth! It goes for everyone, especially if you are going through orthodontic treatment. Avoid complications by brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist yearly for professional cleanings. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, takes pride in educating patients about the importance of proper oral hygiene. Help us help you keep your smile looking good for years to come!

Did you know that there is a connection between oral health and overall health? Sometimes what’s going on inside your mouth can be an indicator of what’s going on inside your body, and vice versa. Mayo Clinic says “Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases.” Some diseases, like diabetes and HIV/AIDS, have the potential to lower the body’s resistance to infection, causing oral issues to be more severe in patients afflicted with these diseases. On the other hand, patients with poor dental hygiene are at a higher risk for problems like cardiovascular disease or pneumonia.

For good oral hygiene, try to:

-Brush and floss twice a day

-Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing

-Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fibrous foods to act as “nature’s toothbrush”

-Limit sugar and acidic beverages

-Replace your toothbrush every three months

-Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist

-Avoid chewing or smoking tobacco products

Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.

 

Flossing For Kids

Flossing can be a chore for anyone. But for young children uninterested in dental hygiene, it’s even harder to instill good habits for healthy teeth. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri offers expert care for all things teeth, including the littlest of patients. Here are some tips and tricks to get your kids excited about flossing!

 

Gather the Tools

You may be tempted to use your floss from your cupboard. But to instill lifelong healthy habits, your child should have a positive first impression. Let your son or daughter pick out their floss at the store. There are many flavors and colors designed to be attractive to young children. Choose soft pliable floss instead of stiff dental threads to ensure a pain-free experience.

 

Make It a Game
It’s difficult for younger children to understand the benefits of flossing. Play a catchy song or interactive video to capture interest while they floss. Involve the tooth fairy and include rewards like gold stickers as incentives for your child. There are also many apps and websites designed specifically to educate kids about brushing and flossing in a fun way. 

 

Join Them 

Make flossing an activity that everyone in the family does together. Children learn from an example, so this is a great time to be a positive role model.

 

 Use the C-Shape Technique

Your Los Angeles, CA dentist recommends the C-shape technique for flossing. Guide your child’s fingers to make a C-shape around the side of a tooth. Gently glide your floss between both sides of the teeth until they can follow along on their own.

 

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

Wisdom teeth that do not have enough space to develop correctly can cause numerous problems in the mouth. Complications include the trapping of food which makes an environment for cavities and disease to form, the crowding or damaging of neighboring teeth, and root damage (which is irreversible). It is recommended that you see Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, for regular checkups, so that any issues involving the development of your wisdom teeth will be addressed as soon as possible. Dr. Haeri is also committed to preserving overall oral health in patients.

You may need to get your wisdom teeth removed if you show signs of:

-Pain/aching/tenderness

-Infection

-Cysts

-Tumors

-Damage to surrounding teeth

-Gum disease

-Tooth decay

Before making any decisions to extract wisdom teeth, Dr. Haeri will first examine your mouth and take an X-ray. Under the care of Dr. Haeri and an expert team, you and your family will rest easy knowing that you are in safe hands throughout your visit. We understand that wisdom teeth extractions sound scary, but it’s best to have them removed to avoid headaches and constant pain in the back of the mouth. Keep in mind, when your wisdom teeth come in as much as they can, you should have them removed as soon as possible. The younger you are, the easier the procedure will be since the wisdom teeth roots aren’t fully developed by that time. This will also help with a quicker recovery time.

Does your mouth ache but you’re unsure if it’s your wisdom teeth causing the discomfort? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.

 

Bruxism and Cracked Teeth

This has been an extremely stressful year, and unfortunately, many people are taking out their frustration on their teeth. Dentists across the country are noticing an increase in bruxism and tooth damage. At the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide dental restorations as well as cosmetic work, and we often repair teeth that have cracked or chipped. But in order to prevent further damage, people need to understand how stress impacts them and how to protect their smiles.

 

Bruxism is what we call it when people grind their teeth or clench their jaws in their sleep. Although it may be caused by breathing obstructions, the increasing prominence of bruxism is likely due to psychological strain. Grinding can cause tooth enamel to be worn down or to split. Small cracks in the dental crown may be merely a cosmetic issue, but deeper ones can expose the sensitive pulp to intolerable hot and cold, and a crack into the pulp itself can become an avenue for pathogens to enter the bloodstream.

 

A small crack can be covered by a veneer, and a small chip can be filled with an artificial crown. But if a crack goes deep we’d have to perform a root canal to protect the patient from infection, and if a crack is too large for a partial crown to stay in place, we’d have to provide a full artificial crown. All of these treatments only work when the crack is limited to the crown; if it goes into the root, the whole tooth will need to be replaced. Prosthetic teeth are meant to last, but bruxism can damage them, too. A patient suffering from bruxism may also need to get a night guard, which is worn over the teeth during sleep to prevent them from rubbing together. They may also want to try jaw-stretching exercises and mental relaxation techniques before bed.

 

The dental office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90035. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit our website at Suzanne Haeri DDS.