Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

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.

Preventing Complications after Extractions

At the general and cosmetic dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we want all our patients’ teeth to look their best. Usually, this means preserving them and redoing old restorations. However, there are times when tooth extractions are medically necessary. In those cases, we work to ensure patients have a smooth recovery, and if they are to receive replacement teeth, they are in a good position to have them placed as soon as possible. In order to do that, we need our patients' cooperation to catch the early warning signs of a rare but serious complication, the dry socket.

 

When a tooth is extracted, a bit of jawbone at the base of the socket is exposed to the open air. Usually, this is not a problem, since a scab quickly seals it off. However, if the patient’s blood fails to clot, or the scab is removed prematurely, the socket will lose moisture and pathogens will be able to enter the body through it. The empty socket doesn’t usually take long to close and there is a short amount of time in which it could dry out, but if it does, the patient would be in severe pain and likely develop an infection.

 

Before performing an extraction, we’ll ask patients what medications they’re on so we’ll be able to predict if their blood will clot properly. After the extraction, we’ll need the patient to comply with post-surgery instructions to protect the scab. That means avoiding sucking through straws or eating anything sticky, either of which might pull the scab loose. If the scab does come off, a patient will be able to see so. They should rinse their mouth with salt water and set up an emergency appointment with us. We’ll be able to provide antibacterial medications and moisturizers to keep the socket from drying out as it continues to close over the next week.

 

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.

Gum Disease and Implants

A dental implant is a big investment, and we want to make sure you get the most out of it. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide implant-supported crowns to patients who are looking for a permanent solution to missing teeth and who want to rebuild their jaws and facial structure as well as their smiles. Dental implant placement has very high success rates, and implants usually last for years. But there is a situation in which they could be in danger, which is why we want our patients to be able to recognize peri-implantitis.

 

Peri-implantitis is what we call it when the gum tissue around an implant post becomes inflamed. In the months following an implant’s placement, it will fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. In order for fusion to be successful, there has to be sufficient bone mass to begin with, and the bone cannot continue to recede. But acid-secreting bacteria may colonize the gum pocket surrounding an implant, just as they do the gum pockets surrounding natural tooth roots. If this happens, their acid may erode the implant post and the bone, preventing the implant from stabilizing. If an implant cannot integrate or a previously integrated implant becomes loose, it has to be removed.

 

Peri-implantitis looks similar to typical gum inflammation. The gums may be red, swollen, and sore, and they may bleed when the patient brushes their teeth. Peri-implantitis can be stopped by a deep cleaning if the patient seeks help quickly enough. We carefully monitor implant patients during the integration process to ensure they are not suffering gum infections, but once osseointegration is complete, we rely on patients to come to us if they begin having problems. Maintaining regular oral hygiene appointments will help ensure gum pocket infections are caught before they become severe.

 

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.

What are Sealants For?

With the approach of the school year, many parents are eager to make sure their children’s teeth are in good condition. Toothaches are a common reason for children’s sleep and behavior problems, and general dentists can provide preventive care as well as repair. But one of the most common forms of preventive dentistry, the application of sealants, works for adults as well as children. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, we’re pleased to offer sealants for the protection of our patients’ teeth, and we especially want adults who have a history of tooth decay to know how they can benefit.

 

Sealants are shields that are applied to the grinding surfaces of the molars and premolars. Those teeth have multiple raised bits, called cusps, with indentations between them. The indentations commonly become caked in food debris, particularly starches, making them good spots for oral bacteria to grow in. These parts of the teeth can also be difficult to brush effectively, allowing the acid by-product of oral bacteria to settle into indentations and create bigger cracks. However, sealants smooth out the teeth’s grinding surfaces and create a barrier between the enamel and the food debris. They leave the teeth textured enough to fulfill their function, but slow the rate of decay.

 

Application of sealants doesn’t require preparation from the patient. After cleaning the teeth, we’ll apply a mild etching acid to them to increase their surface area. We’ll then paint the plastic sealant on in liquid form and harden it with a blue light. The patient will resume eating normally by the next day, and afterward, the sealant can last for as long as ten years as long as they maintain regular oral hygiene.

 

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.

Protect Your Teeth from Staining

If you’ve gotten whitening treatment in our office, you’ve noticed your teeth are several shades lighter. With good oral hygiene, they should stay that way for years. But tooth discoloration is a normal part of life, and everybody’s smiles fade over time. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to protect natural teeth from stains. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we specialize in cosmetic care, and to protect our patients’ investment, we wanted to pass along some information about enamel and extrinsic stains.

 

An extrinsic stain is one which forms on the outside of the tooth. While intrinsic stains are often indicative of a health problem that may require significant intervention, extrinsic stains are usually only a cosmetic issue. For the most part, they can be blamed on tannins. These organic substances are present in some plant tissues, and are the reason why coffee, tea, and red wine are dark colored. They also build up on a person’s teeth, and cause the same stains. Dark colored soda and juice can have a similar effect, and their sugar is causing dark-colored substances to get stuck on the teeth. Other sources of tooth discoloration are smoking, soy sauce, and tomato sauce.

 

Although cutting back on staining substances can keep teeth whiter for longer, patients may not need to abandon coffee and tea entirely. Sipping these drinks through a straw can significantly reduce the teeth’s exposure to tannins. Regular brushing and flossing will also remove the sticky plaque that traps dark substances. If you do notice your teeth fading, we can provide a whitening touch-up in the form of in-office whitening or a refill for a take-home tray.

 

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.

Loose Fillings

As both a general and cosmetic dental office, we at the South Carthay practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri are pleased to offer stable, naturally-colored fillings. Unlike the silver amalgam of old, modern fillings are indistinguishable from healthy enamel and won’t trigger a patient’s allergy to metal. But although fillings can stay in place for years, the seal holding them in place does eventually break down. We hope you keep up with regular dental appointments so you can get yours repaired before they become a problem, but since fillings can come loose prematurely, we want our patients to recognize them and seek treatment.

 

After decayed enamel is drilled away, a filling is made by sealing a bit of porcelain or resin into the hole. As the seal breaks down, saliva will get trapped in the cracks, causing the filling to seem to leak. Unfortunately, the same spaces can be occupied by bacteria, where they are safe from the patient’s brushing and can resume causing decay. As the seal continues to break, the filling may come loose and start causing the patient pain and difficulty biting down. If yours has reached this point, don’t hesitate to schedule an emergency appointment. In the meantime, you may be able to reduce your discomfort by applying a topical numbing gel.

 

Once we’ve removed a loose filling, we’ll be able to drill away further decay, if necessary. From there, providing a new filling is usually a simple matter as long as the patient is satisfied with the color of the rest of the dental crown. We shape fillings with tools called burnishers to ensure they won’t get in the way of the patient closing their teeth together. Fillings require the same daily hygiene as normal teeth and they’re a bit more fragile than natural enamel, so patients will have to be especially careful to avoid chewing on ice or anything else extremely hard. But when cared for properly, fillings can last for over a decade.

 

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.

Use of Mouthguards

Prevention is an important aspect of dental care, particularly when it comes to injuries. A broken tooth could be expensive and difficult to repair as well as painful, and is often accompanied by damage to the mouth’s soft tissues. This year, from July 19-23, the federal government is recognizing National Youth Sports Week, so we thought this would be a good time to remind athletes of any age of the importance of wearing a mouthguard and how to determine which ones suit their needs.

 

Dental trauma is most likely to occur during contact sports, but it is a risk even during activities such as gymnastics and skating. Governing boards generally require that participants wear a mouthguard at least over their maxillary teeth, but injuries can also occur during amateur or casual play. Mouthguards come in three varieties: ready made, boil-and-bite, and customized, each offering an increasing level of protection. Ready made ones come in different sizes and customized ones are designed for one specific user, while boil-and-bite mouthguards are adjustable. The wearer boils them to soften them, and then puts them over their teeth and molds them with their fingers while they are cooling.

 

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are particularly popular among young athletes, whose teeth are still shifting. However, some additional oversight from a dentist may be necessary when fitting them over braces. Evidence shows that use of mouthguards reduces dental injuries by forty percent. Mouthguards and their containing cases need to be kept clean in accordance with their manufacturer’s instructions, and users should be careful to avoid leaving them in the sun or anywhere else extremely hot, or else their shape might be distorted the next time they are used. But overall, mouthguards are a simple way to protect your dental investment.

 

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.

Dental Bonding

Do you find yourself running your lips over a small chip in one of your teeth? Are you reluctant to smile in pictures because one of the gaps between your teeth seems too large, or one of your crowns isn’t as long as the others? We hope that’s not the case; everyone deserves a smile they’re proud of. But at the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide dental bonding that can be used for cosmetic improvements as well as minor repairs. The process is quick and far less invasive than replacing a whole crown.

 

Bonding is made out of a composite resin the same color as your teeth. (If you are also unhappy with your teeth’s color, we can whiten them before making any adjustments to their shape.) We use bonding to smooth over tiny cracks, called craze lines, and to add a bit more material to a crown that is uneven or where gum tissue has receded around, but the tooth is stable. Bonding can reduce the sensitivity of an exposed tooth root and may be able to replace a patient’s old metal fillings. To place it, we’ll first cover the tooth in a mild etching acid to increase its surface area. We’ll then apply the wet bonding material and harden it with a blue light.

 

When a patient makes a reservation just to have bonding placed on a tooth, they can usually be out of the office in less than an hour. If the patient is not suffering from sensitivity, placing bonding may not even require anesthetic. Although patients have to be careful not to overtax bonding by biting down on anything too hard, they should find it easy to care for. If a patient brushes and flosses their teeth regularly, bonding can stay in place and retain its original color for over five years.

 

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.

Gum Disease and Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth isn’t just an uncomfortable cosmetic issue; it’s a potential threat to a patient’s oral health. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we offer a full suite of general and cosmetic dental services for each of our patients’ individual needs. An impacted tooth is one situation in which a tooth extraction might be warranted, so we want our patients to understand its seriousness and their full range of options.

 

We use the term “impacted” to describe a tooth that is unable to fully emerge from the gum. This can happen to any tooth, but since wisdom teeth are the largest and last to erupt, it’s most likely to happen to them. When a wisdom tooth only partly erupts, a large section of it will remain covered by a flap of gum tissue called an operculum. Food debris will get caught under the operculum, where a patient will have difficulty dislodging it. There, bacteria will feed on it, causing inflammation around the partly-erupted dental crown, which is a condition we call “pericoronitis.” The patient will experience soreness and swelling, and since the infection will not get better on its own, there’s a risk it will spread.

 

An operculum can be cleaned by a dental hygienist, and we encourage patients not to wait to get this done. But as long as the operculum remains, more food can get stuck under it. One solution would be to cut the operculum away, but this would not fix any other problems the impacted tooth is causing, such as bite difficulties. Although we don’t take tooth extraction lightly, it is a common, efficient process, and one that will allow a patient to quickly resume chewing normally with much less discomfort.

 

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.

 

Types of Mouthwash

As both a cosmetic and general dental office, we at the South Carthay practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri know that our patients want their mouths to smell as good as they look. The bacteria on our tongues and enamel emit a foul odor that is usually the cause of bad breath, and mouthwash is one of the most common tools for fighting them. But how does mouthwash fit into routine oral hygiene? In this post, we’ll explore the different types and when they are recommended.

 

No mouthwash is able to replace brushing and flossing, but many kinds can supplement them. Cosmetic mouthwash is that which only masks a bad smell, while therapeutic mouthwash kills oral bacteria and helps to guard against the development of gum disease. Sometimes available by prescription, therapeutic mouthwash may be used when a patient has a dry socket or other dental injury. Many mouthwashes also contain fluoride to help bolster enamel’s defense against oral bacteria’s acidic secretions and may benefit people who suffer recurring tooth decay.

 

Some mouthwash also provides pain relief and may be used when a patient has mouth sores. But one thing to be cautious of is that mouthwash is often alcoholic, and while there is no evidence it contributes to oral cancer, it may dry out a user’s mouth if they don’t hydrate sufficiently. Alcohol-free mouthwashes are commonly available for children, and many teenagers with orthodontic appliances especially enjoy having an easy way of improving their breath.

 

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.

 

Flossing Technique

When you floss properly, you greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum recession, halitosis, and all sorts of associated problems. But flossing properly isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. At the South Carthay cosmetic and general dentistry office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we strive to provide our patients with top-quality care, but to keep their smiles dazzling in between dental appointments, patients need to understand how to improve their oral hygiene. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how to floss.

 

Since you’ll be removing plaque from your teeth each time you floss, you’ll want to use a long strand. Fifteen to eighteen inches should be sufficient. You’ll be able to manipulate the strand with your pointer fingers and thumbs if you wrap the ends around your middle fingers. As you go from each side of each tooth, unspool a little more floss and wrap it around the other middle finger so you’re not just transferring plaque between teeth. On each side of each tooth, slide the floss as far as it will comfortably go, bend it around the tooth in a c-shape, and rub it back and forth as you move it back out. You shouldn’t bleed or be in pain, but the floss will move a short distance into the area between the crown and the gum tissue. Don’t forget the back sides of the back teeth.

 

If you do bleed while flossing your teeth, you likely have gingivitis and may need a professional cleaning. But flossing is a necessity for anyone with teeth, even if the teeth are artificial. Although it doesn’t make much difference whether flossing is done before or after brushing, it needs to be done at least once a day. We can give you a demonstration if there’s any part of it you’re still confused about, and if you’re struggling, you may want to look into getting a flosser, which mounts a strand of floss on an easy to grip handle.

 

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.

 

Causes of Bad Breath

If you have persistent bad breath, the problem may be more than something you recently ate. Halitosis is a common symptom of oral health problems. We at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay Dental office want our patients to understand that we can help them, but they need to take bad breath seriously.

Oral bacteria produce a strong odor. They may take refuge in the gum pockets and in the papillae of the tongue, where they will be able to consume food debris and form plaque. People are at greater risk of oral infections when they don’t floss deep between their teeth or scrape their tongues, as well as when they are suffering from dry mouth. Without saliva, it is harder to remove food debris and control the spread of pathogens.

Sometimes, bad breath is related to another issue, such as discharge from a nasal infection landing on the back of the tongue. People with diabetes are at elevated risk for gum infections and may have halitosis if they are going through diabetic ketoacidosis. Acid reflux can also cause dry mouth and leave a lingering odor. In addition to improving their oral hygiene, patients may try drinking more water, using mouthwash, avoiding large meals before bed, and avoiding drinks that are high in sugar and acid. When halitosis is related to a medical condition such as tonsil stones, we can at least rule out the more common causes and help manage symptoms.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Dental Avulsion - When a Tooth Gets Knocked Out

The traumatic loss of a tooth isn’t something anybody expects to happen, but it can be prepared for. We provide implants and crowns for tooth replacement at the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, but in some cases, it may be possible for a lost tooth to be saved. To do so requires carefully following certain protocols.

When a tooth is completely displaced from its gum pocket, we call that “dental avulsion.” There may be a tooth-saving container in a nearby first aid kit, but otherwise, the tooth should be lifted by its crown and rinsed with saline. After that, a patient may try putting it back in its socket and heading for the dental office. If this cannot be done, other options are to hold in in the cheek or to transport it in a cup of milk.

The loss of a tooth is an emergency, but gashes on the face should take higher priority. A tooth that is cracked at the root cannot be reintegrated and will have to be replaced with a prosthetic. A baby tooth should also not be put back in, or else it may fuse with the jaw bone and fail to fall out when it’s supposed to. A pediatric patient may be referred to an orthodontist to keep the gap between their teeth open until the permanent tooth comes in. If an adult tooth cannot be reinserted, the patient may be given a temporary crown until a lasting solution can be provided.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth shouldn’t just look great; they should feel great, too! That’s our belief at the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri. Many people who suffer from sharp toothaches when they bite into something cold believe that this is normal. In fact, it could be a sign of a problem with their enamel. To understand why, it is necessary to know the tooth’s internal anatomy.

Dental pulp contains a highly sensitive nerve. It is surrounded by dentin, which is a porous substance that easily conducts heat. Enamel, a hard substance comprised of calcium and phosphate ions, makes up the crown of the tooth and insulates the underlying dentin. Cementum, a sticky substance, makes up the outer layer of the tooth root and is much thinner.

Dentin is yellow-brown in color and can be seen through enamel when enamel is thin. Although people with bruxism may grind down their enamel, loss of it is usually due to acid. Drinks such as soda and citrus juice contain high amounts of acid and people with acid reflux often have sensitivity on their upper back teeth. But most enamel loss, as well as most gum recession around sensitive tooth roots, is due to oral bacteria. Patients will need to brush more thoroughly (not necessarily harder) to rid themselves of acid and decay-causing bacteria, but we can help them by providing deep cleanings and examining them for signs of decay.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Alzheimer's and Gum Disease

A healthy smile is essential to health overall. We’ve learned a lot in recent years about the connection between gum disease and other health problems, including diabetes, cirrhosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. We hope that every patient at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office is taking care of their oral hygiene. New research indicates that if they are, they may also be protecting themselves from Alzheimer’s disease.

The bacteria that cause gum disease have natural defenses. One species, Porphyromonas gingivalis, produces toxic enzymes called gingipains to fight off white blood cells. Gingipains can also trigger the formation of plaque that kills neurons, and in a recent study, scientists found them at elevated levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. The worse the symptoms were, the more gingipains were found.

Another recent study found that P. gingivalis can move from the mouth to the brain in living people. It’s long been known that people with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene, but it increasingly seems that the relationship between the diseases goes both ways. Scientists do not believe that gum disease is the only contributing factor to Alzheimer’s, but it’s become increasingly clear that deep cleanings and regular oral hygiene are a crucial defense.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

DentalVibe

Are you worried about your or your loved one’s dental health, but reluctant to face needles? We at the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri understand your needs. When we need to administer a localized anesthetic, one of the tools we use is the DentalVibe. This wand allows injections to be delivered without causing a patient pain, and often without them even feeling it.

One of dentists’ traditional means of soothing patients’ anxiety was to flap a patient’s lip or cheek. The vibrations overwhelm the patient’s nervous system, distracting it from its pain response to the needle. The DentalVibe is a more sophisticated way of applying this concept. Its massaging, rubbery prongs vibrate one hundred and sixty times per second, creating a pleasurable sensation. The dentist can administer the injection with their other hand, often while positioned so the patient won’t even see the syringe.

While heavier sedation may be necessary for extensive oral surgeries, the DentalVibe is perfectly suited to numbing the patient in preparation for routine care such as scaling, planing, and simple extractions. We can still provide oral sedation to nervous patients, but the DentalVibe does not cause any side effects and will not impede the patient’s cognition.

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.

 

Asthma and Oral Health

At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental practice, we want our patients to know how to care for their general and cosmetic dental needs no matter what other health issues they may have. People with asthma can be at particular risk for developing caries, but there are steps they can take to minimize damage.

Asthma is inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. It often causes people to breathe through their mouths, putting them at risk for developing dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva plays an important part in fighting oral infections; it washes away food that bacteria might otherwise eat and it neutralizes the acid bacteria produce. Some strategies for maintaining saliva are to drink lots of fluids, use artificial throat moisturizers, and to chew sugarfree gum. Patients may also want to talk to their asthma specialists about changing medications that cause dry mouth.

A potential issue with inhaler medications is that they may contain sugar. In that case, patients need to remember to brush their teeth in between using them and going to bed. Some asthma patients take muscle relaxants to loosen their throats, but this could also loosen the sphincter that keeps stomach acid out of the esophagus. Patients suffering from acid reflux may need topical fluoride treatments and to avoid consuming alcohol, citric acid, red meat, garlic, or chocolate before lying down.

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.

 

National Facial Protection Month

The beginning of April marks National Facial Protection Month. As a general and cosmetic dental office, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay practice have fixed a lot of chipped and broken teeth. Although we provide naturally-colored, long-lasting restorations, we prefer that our patients maintain good oral health. Wearing mouth guards during sports is one of the most important aspects of that.

Sports leagues generally require youth participants to wear a mouthguard. (That includes wrestlers if they have braces.) Any type of mouthguard is better than none, but the best are custom-fitted. Other options include boil-and-bite models that are softened at home before being fitted to a wearer’s teeth. Keep in mind, however, that children’s teeth are changing rapidly, and a mouthguard from the beginning of the academic year may need to be refitted. This is particularly true of patients undergoing orthodontic therapy, whose teeth change positions significantly each month.

Mouthguard manufacturers will provide information on how to clean their products, but in general, they should be kept dry and out of the sun. Wearing a mouthguard is not only important during contact sports, but also during activities when a person is likely to fall, such as skating, cycling, or gymnastics. When properly fitted, a mouthguard should be comfortable and easy to breathe with. Feel free to ask us for guidance if you’ve been having trouble with yours.

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.

 

Bite Checks

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a grave threat to a patient’s tooth structure as well as their comfort. At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we inspect patients for signs of this condition during each biannual check-up. A bite check is also an opportunity to detect other chewing problems and is particularly beneficial to children.

TMD can occur when people clench their jaws or grind their teeth in their sleep. (The latter behavior is known as bruxism.) The force of their bite can cause pain that radiates to the tops of their heads and down through their necks. Particularly severe TMD can cause teeth to crack or tilt out of place. More commonly, they become eroded, resulting in a loss of vertical mouth dimension. The sensitivity from TMD makes chewing more difficult and some patients have difficulty opening their mouths.

Our hygienists are trained to look for the distinctive pattern bruxism leaves in enamel. They will also ask patients to demonstrate closing their teeth together and will ask patients about any discomfort they’ve experienced recently. Patients may not be aware they have bruxism, but they may know if they are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea or are under a lot of mental stress, both of which are contributing factors. In adults, bruxism can be countered with a custom-fitted night guard, which will protect the enamel from further erosion and relieve pressure on the jaws. Patients may also be recommended for orthodontic therapy if bruxism has pushed their teeth out of place or misalignment is contributing to their jaws’ mechanical stress.

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.

Cracked Teeth

As a dental practice that specializes in cosmetics, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay office have restored a lot of teeth with minor cracks and chips. But we also take good care of patients who have a more serious injury. We hope that our patients wear mouthguards when playing contact sports or doing anything dangerous, but if they do break a tooth, we can probably fix it.

Our molars are the only teeth that should be used for chewing. They have multiple roots and wide surfaces to distribute the force of a patient’s bite. The smaller teeth are vulnerable to breaking or tilting when they are repeatedly subjected to force. But even the molars can crack against something harder, such as ice. If a patient breaks a tooth, they should rinse their mouth with warm salt water. For their safety, they should cover the crack or chip with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum.

We offer a vast array of restorative services. Small cracks in the surface of the front teeth can be covered with veneers, and minor chips may be repairable with bonding. If a molar is broken, we may fabricate a partial crown to fill in the crack or replace a missing cusp. But if a tooth is cracked down to the pulp, we may need to do a root canal procedure to protect against infection. When teeth are broken all the way down to the root, they need to be replaced. In those cases, we offer implants and partial dentures and will discuss a patient’s options after relieving their pain. We also offer Snap-On Smiles for patients who have widespread chipping and discoloration.

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.