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.

 

 

Maintaining Toothbrushes

Your toothbrush is your most important tool for keeping your mouth healthy. We know you’ve gotten one if you’ve been maintaining your appointments at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, but we hope you’re replacing it in between visits. Toothbrushes get less effective as they become worn, so to make sure our patients are taking good care of themselves, we wanted to say a bit about toothbrush maintenance.

 

It usually takes about three to four months for a toothbrush’s bristles to become too matted to be of use, although you’ll have to use your own judgment if you think you’re wearing them out sooner. You should certainly replace the toothbrush if the bristles are crushed down sideways. You should also be letting your toothbrush dry in the open air while upright, since putting it in a closed case will allow fungus to grow on it. There’s no evidence that free-floating bacteria that land on a toothbrush will harm the user, but washing the toothbrush with hot water before and after using it will help prevent bacterial build-up.

 

Some dental companies manufacture specialized tools for cleaning toothbrushes, including their own electric toothbrush heads. But you should never clean a toothbrush by putting it in a dishwasher or microwave, or you risk melting it. Different people’s toothbrushes should be kept from touching each other so that bacteria won’t migrate between people. It’s also a good idea to maintain separate toothbrushes for natural teeth and dentures, although that’s more to protect the dentures from being scratched by toothpaste intended for harder, natural teeth. And remember that only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used for dental 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.

Plaque and Tartar

No matter what your teeth are like, keeping regular dental appointments is one of the most important things you can do to keep them healthy. Twice-yearly cleanings are an opportunity to remove tartar, the calculus that inevitably builds up on teeth near the gumline. At the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide general dental services as well as cosmetic specialties, and we want all our patients to be proud of having clean, healthy teeth and gums.

 

Plaque and tartar are different things. Plaque is sticky and always present. It’s a film on the teeth made up of saliva, sugar from food, and oral bacteria. There are hundreds of species of oral bacteria, and most of them have a neutral or positive impact on us, but a few produce acid as a by-product of their cellular respiration. The acid gets caught in the teeth’s bio-film, leading to the decay of tooth enamel and the recession of gum tissue.

 

Tartar is plaque that has hardened into a yellow or brown colored paste. It contributes to gum recession and inflammation, but unlike plaque, it can’t just be brushed away. It only takes a few hours for plaque to start hardening, which is why people should drink water throughout the day, brush their teeth twice a day, and try to stick to set meal times or clean their teeth after snacking. During a dental appointment, a hygienist will break up tartar safely and floss each tooth properly, but patients can reduce how much tartar builds up between appointments by practicing good hygiene and avoiding foods that are sticky and full of simple sugars.

 

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.

Inlays and Onlays

Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is committed to making sure you have a smile that you can be proud of, which is why she offers cosmetic dentistry services to help rebuild your smile. Dental inlays are used to replace a small portion of a tooth that is missing, which is similar to how fillings are used, only now inlays are made of tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain instead of gold. Inlays fit inside the tooth and undergo a bonding process that improves the overall strength of the tooth. Like inlays, dental onlays also fit inside the tooth except they extend to the chewing surface at the back of the tooth to replace a missing cusp. Onlays were also made of gold, undergoing a similar bonding process.

The procedure begins by removing the decayed material from the tooth. A mold is then taken and sent to the lab to create the inlay or onlay. It takes about two to three weeks for the inlay or onlay to be made, so in the meantime, a temporary inlay or onlay is placed on the tooth. When the process of making the inlay or outlay is completed, it is set on the tooth with cement.

Prevention is the best way to avoid sitting under the drill. Regular flossing and brushing will decrease the chances of needing these procedures done since cavities and tooth decay are at the root of these issues. 

Are you interested in learning more about the inlay and onlay procedure? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you 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.

 

Senior Dental Care

As you age, your dental needs shift. New oral hygiene concerns arise that weren’t present before. Just like the rest of your bones, your teeth weaken when you get older. That’s why brushing and flossing become even more important! After the age of sixty, your risk of periodontal (gum) disease increases. So do the number of cavities and extraction! That’s why it is important to schedule your appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri. She provides dental care for patients of all ages. Learn more by contacting our office in Los Angeles, CA.

 

You mustn't take your dental health for granted. Your teeth are necessary for everyday life! If you are a caretaker for an older individual or are an older patient, it’s important to continue brushing twice daily. Your Los Angeles dentist has some brushing advice for you. First, invest in an electric toothbrush. These are easy to use and affordable. They provide a thorough cleaning of your mouth while using minimal physical effort. Another tip is elongating the brush handle. This makes it easier to reach further areas of your mouth. You can do this at home with a few supplies. Many patients have success with wrapping the handle in foam or rubber. Some even use tongue depressors! Next time you’re at your local grocery store or supermarket, check out the toothbrush aisle. Many brands sell toothbrushes targeted for older patients. These are often gentler on your teeth while being easier to use.

 

If you’ve lost a tooth or are planning on getting some extracted, consider getting dentures. These are affordable and functional. At your appointment, Dr. Haeri measures your mouth. A specialized mold is made from your teeth and sent to a dental laboratory. This creates your personalized dentures. Your dentures fit your mouth perfectly! Having them lets you do all the things you’ve always been able to do.

 

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is a cosmetic and general dentist located in Los Angeles, CA. To schedule an appointment, call her office at 310-657-2200. You can also visit her website.

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.

 

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.

 

Gum Disease Prevention

At Suzanne Haeri, DDS, Periodontal, better known as gum disease, is an inflammatory condition of the gums and bone support around your teeth. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS and her staff advises our patients to practice good oral health care to prevent gum disease from forming. Gum disease begins when bacteria grows in your mouth and causes you to loose teeth if not treated properly. When bacteria in plaque builds up on your teeth, your gums turn red or inflamed when brushing and flossing.

Some symptoms of gum disease includes swollen or bleeding in your gums, loose or shifting teeth, and persistent bad breath. Our doctors can diagnose the early stages of gum disease by examining your gums and the sensitivity of your teeth.

Don’t forget to take the proper precautions to prevent gum disease. Being consistent and throughout with your oral care routine is important to healthy teeth and gums. Avoiding tobacco products of all kinds is also important to avoiding gum disease.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding gum disease and prevention, 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.

Electronic verses Traditional Toothbrushes

At Suzanne Haeri, DDS, we want our patients to have the cleanest teeth possible. To get rid of the most plaque and bacteria from your teeth, we encourage our patients to change their toothbrush every 3-4 months or after their bristles are worn down. When the bristles on toothbrushes become distorted, your teeth aren’t being cleaned properly. Even if your toothbrush doesn’t become distorted, over time the brush becomes dirty and less effective.

We advise our patients who have trouble cleaning their teeth for a full two minutes to get an electric toothbrush for the best cleaning possible. Electric bristle’s remove more plaque from your teeth and gums because of how fast they rotate. If you are able to clean your teeth and gums thoroughly for a full two minutes, a traditional toothbrush works perfectly fine.

Remember to brush your teeth twice a day to keep your teeth clean and your smile as bright as it can be.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding which toothbrush is best for your teeth, 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.

Children's Oral Care

At the South Carthay office of Suzanne Haeri, DDS we advise parents to start cleaning their children’s teeth as soon as their baby teeth develop. Tooth decay is the most chronic disease for children is tooth decay which is preventable through practicing good oral health care.

When your children’s baby teeth develop, you should clean their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste. We recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes for children because they are gentler on your gums and teeth.

Tooth decay occurs when plaque and bacteria form on your teeth and form cavities. Tooth decay is preventable when you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. When possible, we encourage all of our patients to eat a healthy diet and limiting your consumption of sugar and acidic that can damage your teeth.

Don’t forget to bring your children twice a year for cleaning with us. We want your children to practice good oral hygiene so they have the best smile.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding cosmetic or restorative dentistry, 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.

How to Clean a Night Guard

A night guard or snore guard can be a great boon to a person’s dental health. When people suffer from bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding) or obstructive sleep apnea, these removable oral appliances prevent their teeth from rubbing together and keep their airways open. But they can become traps for bacteria if not cleaned properly, and we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office want to ensure our patients are maintaining their oral hygiene.

When a patient wakes up in the morning, they should remove their oral appliance and brush it. Night guard manufacturers often have instructions on their websites telling patients to clean their appliances with dissolvable tablets or soaking solutions. Those products may work well and can prevent a night guard from acquiring a bad smell, but brushing the appliance is still necessary to remove build-up and some people use retainers that double as night guards. Patients should clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but not toothpaste or the minerals may scratch the soft plastic.

Depending on their model, night guards vary in whether they should be kept wet or dry. But the case they are kept in should also be cleaned with antibacterial soap every day. Patients will also need to avoid using hot water or leaving the case in the sun or anywhere else it could get hot enough to distort the night guard’s shape. People should always brush and floss their teeth before using a night guard and should periodically have it professionally refitted.

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.

 

Back to School Check-Up

With school back in session, children will be on a regular schedule, and hopefully, be regularly eating and brushing their teeth. But the resumption of the school year also means that problems from dental caries and other oral issues will be more disruptive. If your child is due for a check-up (and they’re recommended every six months), now’s a good time to visit South Carthay’s Dr. Suzanne Haeri.

Even in baby teeth, toothaches cause a lot of problems. Children who are in pain have a harder time learning and controlling their behavior. Those who are under stress may grind their teeth in their sleep, causing jaw pain and potentially damaging their enamel. We can provide professional cleanings and replace decayed material with fillings, but check-ups are also an opportunity for prevention. We teach children better oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and chewing sugar-free gum. We also provide fluoride sealants to protect the teeth from infections.

Besides being an opportunity to do maintenance, check-ups allow us to plan for a child’s future needs. Our digital x-rays allow us to safely monitor the development of adult teeth. If it looks like a tooth is going to be impacted, we can discuss with kids and parents options such as extractions and orthodontic treatments. We can also discuss whether a child will need a night guard or to have their mouthguard refitted.

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.

 

Fluorosis

Dr. Suzanne Haeri of South Carthay specializes in difficult cases of cosmetic dentistry. As part of her patient education program, she wants people to learn more about fluorosis, a rare but easily-misunderstood condition.

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. Dentists commonly apply it to children’s teeth and many cities supply it through the water. However, it is possible for people to consume an excessive amount. If this happens, their teeth may become discolored. The effect of this would usually be mild enough to only be visible during a dental examination, but in the worst cases, still-developing teeth in a child may turn brown.

To mitigate the risk of excessive fluoride consumption, it is important for children to learn to spit out their toothpaste once they’re done brushing. When brushing the teeth of a child who is too young to spit, parents should be careful to only use a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Parents should also not give their children fluoride supplements without consultation with a dentist. Excessive fluoridation results in internal tooth stains, which cannot be bleached away, but they can be covered with Lumineers.

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.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

At the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we understand the importance of a dentist to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis’s care team. New research has shed light on the relationship between autoimmune disorders and periodontal disease and it’s important for patients to know what challenges they face.

The term arthritis describes problems affecting a person’s joints. It’s not surprising that people with arthritis would have difficulty grasping and using a toothbrush, but the research suggests something else is going on. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking synovium, the lining of joints, resulting in inflammation. Scientists have found similar genetic structures between synovium and gum tissue. If the gums are also being harmed by an autoimmune response, it could explain why people with rheumatoid arthritis have gum disease at twice the rate of the general population and why gum disease is common in people whose arthritis hasn’t yet progressed to interfering with their brushing.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Smoking is a major contributor. Studies have shown that even with rheumatoid arthritis, people can significantly reduce their chances of developing gum disease by maintaining their oral hygiene, but it is crucial for them to maintain regular dental examinations.

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.

 

Causes of Bleeding Gums

People commonly wonder if it’s a problem that their gums bleed a little when they brush their teeth. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Healthy gums don’t bleed, and when they do, it’s usually due to gum inflammation. This disease is called gingivitis and it can be treated and prevented.

Sometimes, gum inflammation is due to bruising, but it’s usually caused by bacterial infection. The mouth is home to hundreds to types of bacteria, most of which co-exist with us healthily, but if food debris isn’t removed quickly enough, bacteria can grow out of control. They most often cause tartar to build up on the bottom of dental crowns, allowing acids to get stuck in a place where they have contact with gums.

Regular brushing is crucial to preventing gingivitis (provided that the patient is using a soft-bristled brush), but help from professional hygienists is necessary to clean below the gum line. There are also some factors which make gum disease more likely, including pregnancy, use of blood thinners, and dry mouth. (That last one is due to saliva’s function keeping the mouth clean.) Smoking also increases the risk of gingivitis.

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 SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.

 

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity in Children

There are several things which can cause tooth sensitivity, and when caring for child patients, there are a few particular factors to keep in mind. Sometimes, healthy new teeth will be sensitive immediately after breaking through the gum line, but tooth pain could indicate a bigger problem.

Usually, when children get tooth aches, it is because they have cavities (which are also known as caries). In most cases, this problem can be fixed with more disciplined oral hygiene, but it is possible for children to brush too hard and damage their gum tissue. Tooth roots are naturally sensitive, so if gum tissue recession exposes them, the patient will find cold drinks and food painful.

It is also possible for tooth aches to be an early warning sign of diabetes or of bruxism. People who clench or grind their jaws not only damage their teeth, but develop head, ear, and neck aches. Sinus infections can also cause tooth aches in the upper back teeth. These kinds of aches tend to be dull and throbbing, so it is important to get the child to be as descriptive as possible when making a diagnosis.

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 SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.

 

Childhood Halitosis

 

When children develop chronically bad breath, Dr. Suzanne Haeri and her office staff are here to help. As with adults, halitosis in children is usually due to a hygiene problem, but there are some special considerations to keep in mind.

Wherever food debris can accumulate, bacteria will grow excessively, and excessive bacterial growth is the main cause of bad breath. The tongue is one such location, the tonsils are another. Nasal drip is also food for bacteria, and children tend to get more sinus infections. Young children may also have foreign objects caught in their noses, which triggers nasal drip. Children with dry mouth are at particular risk because they lack saliva to wash food debris away. Dry mouth is commonly caused by mouth breathing and by medications, including some for ADHD.

Although the underlying cause of dry mouth will need to be solved, dentists often help patients find ways to stimulate saliva production. Sugar-free hard candy and gum are some of the most child-friendly methods. It is also possible that a child’s bad breath could be caused by bacteria from a cold sore or from a more serious medical condition, such as diabetes, which is why it is worth consulting with a doctor.

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 SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.

 

Brushing Technique

Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to your oral hygiene as well. It is important that you brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis to prevent tooth decay and invasive procedures in the future. As much as we love to see you and your smile at the dental practice of Suzanne Haeri, DDS, we want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime. You can start by utilizing these brushing tips the next time you whip out that toothbrush of yours.

• Start with the outer and inner surfaces, and brush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget your back teeth!


• Move on to the chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth along these surfaces.


• Once you get to the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush.


• Be sure to brush your teeth gently along the gum line.


• Don’t forget to brush your tongue!

If you have questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as other services we provide, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, call 310-657-2200.