Why You Should Start Your Kids Early At the Dentist

What age is best to begin visiting the dentist? Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri recommends 12-months as the ideal age to bring your child into the office. Many parents are surprised at how young this age is, but good dental habits start early. Here are three reasons why early dental visits are better for your child’s oral health.

Prevention
Don’t wait until your child develops cavities to take them to the dentist. Trips to the dentist when your kids are young are beneficial for preventing any oral health issues they are likely to face down the road. Whether it’s cavities, tooth decay, or sensitivities, your Los Angeles, CA dentist is ready to evaluate your child for any signs of poor dental health. Starting your children at 12-months is even better because we can evaluate your son or daughter’s primary teeth. While these teeth are considered baby teeth, they are essential in facilitating the growth and position of permanent teeth. Another advantage to starting dental visits young is the ability to monitor teeth and jaw development. Teeth naturally shift and change as we grow older, and for children, it’s no different. Whether it’s overbite or crowded teeth, the earlier the better it to monitor these issues, so book an appointment today at our office. 

Hygiene Habits

Your toddler begins to eat three meals a day at 12-months old. This means more food is likely to get stuck in the mouth, creating plaque and a higher risk for cavities. By visiting the dentist earlier in their childhood, your son or daughter will not only benefit from our treatments like sealants or crowns that work to remedy these dental issues but also gain a headstart to learning valuable oral hygiene lessons. From flossing techniques to colorful toothbrushes, our dentists are kid-friendly and hands-on to teach your kids the importance of good dental habits. 

Ease Dental Fears

It’s common for children to have fears about the dentist. Taking your kids early to the dentist prepares them for what to expect in the future. Many children are anxious about dental equipment or even the whole process of getting their teeth checked out. Early visits will familiarize them with a new environment and ease any lingering nerves.

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.

4 Ways to Combat Dental Phobia

According to the research platform, DentaVox, about one-third of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri understands dental phobia is incredibly common. While this fear is attributed to a variety of reasons, we ensure every one of our patients a safe and comfortable experience throughout their dental exam. Here are four ways to combat dental phobia.

Talk to Your Dentist

One of the best ways to combat dental phobia is to give your dentist a heads-up. Talk to your dentist about any concerns you have before your dental examination. If you’re a parent of a child or teen anxious about visiting the dentist, take time out to chat about their apprehension, and let their dentist know as well. Your Los Angeles, CA are happy to discuss any fears, answer questions and even give you a rundown of any procedures or tools you’re uneasy about.

Healthy Habits

Some signs of dental phobia are trouble sleeping the night before. Try to maintain healthy habits like proper eating, enough sleep, and exercise, especially before a dental examination to lower the amount of stress before you walk through our doors.

Coping Strategies

Want to listen to music on your iPhone? Enjoy funny audio-books during your examination? Dr. Haeri is understanding when it comes to any coping strategies you choose to lower dental phobia. Breathing exercises are also another useful technique for calming and relaxation.

Relaxing Environments

Colorful decor, comfortable chairs, and a calming atmosphere are proven to mitigate any lingering fears when it comes to dental visits. That’s why our Los Angeles, CA office is artistically designed with calming colors to distract and ease any fears.

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.

Painless Dentistry

Nervous about your dental visit? You’re not alone. Research platform DentaVox reports, about one-third of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Suzanne Haeri is passionate about making dental appointments pleasant and positive experiences for all her patients. Here are several technologies we use to make your visit as comfortable as possible!

Sedation Dentistry

Using medications to relax patients during dental procedures, sedation dentistry is a great option for a painless dental experience. There are three levels of sedation we use at our office: minimal sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia.

Minimal sedation a smaller dose of medication, allowing you to be awake, but numb during the procedure. Deep sedation makes patients almost unconscious, with the ability to be awakened. Under general anesthesia, you’re completely unconscious during the entire process.

DentalVibe Injection Comfort System

DentalVibe is one of the revolutionary inventions your Los Angeles, CA offers to patients to eliminate painful dental visits. Unlike a traditional injection, you will feel no pricks, pinches, or even the tiniest amount of pain using DentalVibe. This device uses vibrations to block the sensation of pain, leaving patients with no side effects.

Bonding

When you think of bonding, unsightly silver amalgam fillings and a drill powering down on your teeth come to picture. Instead at our office, we use composite resin to cover discolored or damaged teeth. With no scary drilling in your teeth, bonding is a quick procedure that uses only an adhesive to attach molded resin onto the front of your teeth. 

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.

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.

 

Dental Phobia

At Dr. Suzanne Haeri's west Los Angeles dental office, we know it can be an overwhelming experience going to the dentist. We want our patients to feel relaxed and comfortable when you’re in the dentist chair. An estimated 9% to 15% of people avoid the dentist due to dental phobia. It is important to get your teeth cleaned twice a year to maintain good dental hygiene. Patients who suffer from dental phobia have a greater chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

To ease our patient’s minds, our staff will discuss any concerns or fears you have and solutions. We will do our best to make your experience as relaxing as possible. Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick.

We encourage our patients to ask us questions before your appointment so we can make you feel more comfortable. Your concerns are our number one priority and we are happy to discuss what can help to ease your fears.

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.

Dental Anxiety

It’s OK to be afraid of the dentist, but there is a strong difference between a person having mild anxiety before a dental appointment and putting one off for years because of a serious phobia. People are anxious about the dentist for different reasons. Perhaps, they anticipate pain, have had a horrible experience in the past, or worry that the dentist might neglect his or her concerns. If you anticipate your dental appointment or haven’t visited the dentist in years, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS can ease your fears and address your concerns.

Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid the dental office because of anxiety or fear. These folks have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, cavities, and bad breath because of the neglect the mouth the has been shown. Unaddressed dental anxiety can lead to oral health problems such as these, which is why it’s important to share your fears with Dr. Haeri. Depending on the level of anxiety, we can discuss sedation options with you.

If you have questions or concerns regarding mouthguards, 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, call 310-657-2200.