Your Guide to Toothpaste

With thousands of toothpaste brands on the market, it’s overwhelming to find a toothpaste that best fits your needs. That’s why Dr. Suzanne Haeri of Los Angeles, CA created a simple guide for navigating the world of dental hygiene. Here’s everything you need to know about toothpaste. 

Know Ingredients

Most toothpaste brands use the same active ingredients in their formula. If you know you’re allergic or sensitive to a few ingredients, it’s helpful to be aware of what you’re putting in your mouth beforehand. 

For example, sodium lauryl sulfate, common in many tubes of toothpaste is known to trigger canker sores. If you’re prone to mouth ulcers like canker sores, its best to stay away from brands that use this ingredient.

Fluoride is another ingredient to know. An essential component to look for when purchasing toothpaste, fluoride fights tooth decay and strengthens the enamel. However, younger children should only use a tiny amount when brushing. Too much fluoride exposure during the first eight years of a child’s life leads to a cosmetic condition called fluorosis. 

Check for ADA Approval

The American Dental Association (ADA) evaluates every dental product on the market using strict guidelines of safety and effectiveness. The official ADA seal on an item means it’s trusted by your Los Angeles, CA dentist. 

Types of Toothpaste

The most important function of toothpaste is to fight cavities. Besides this purpose, it’s your preference for selecting a brand that targets additional oral health problems like:

-Sensitivity issues

-Whitening

-Bad breath

-Tartar control

-Allergies: Natural or organic toothpaste was invented as an additive-free option for dental hygiene. These products work the same as regular toothpaste but their mild contents are suitable for people with oral allergies.

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.

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.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in your mouth and make it difficult for you to eat and talk. The exact cause of canker sores isn't known although stress is thought to trigger the ulcers. When possible, we encourage our patients to avoid foods that have citrus and are extremely acidic.

Some foods to avoid when you have an ulcer are cheese, lemons, pineapples, strawberries, oranges, apples, and soda. Our staff at Suzanne Haeri, DDS encourages our patients to follow a diet that is dairy free and doesn’t run the risk of causing pain while you have canker sores.

Some symptoms that you may have a canker sore include pain on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks and if you feel a burning sensation. Canker sores are circular and are usually white or gray with a red edge.

Although there is no exact treatment for canker sores, it can be helpful to rinse your mouth with hot salt water a few times a day. Canker sores typically go away after 1-2 weeks when you avoid the foods mentioned and rinse with hot salt water.  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding canker sores and your treatment options if they don’t go away, please give us a call. To learn more 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, please call 310-657-2200.