Sjorgen's Syndrome

Many medical conditions negatively impact your dental health. One of these is called Sjorgen’s Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s saliva and tear glands. These glands become damaged and stop working. If you notice that your mouth is chronically dry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri today. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Suzanne Haeri DDS treats patients of all ages.

 

There is an incredibly long list of symptoms that accompany Sjorgen’s Syndrome. We’ve sorted out the ones that directly affect the mouth:

 

-Dry mouth, lips, and throat

-Frequent cavities or infections

-Scratchy or hoarse voice

-Problems swallowing

-Chronic cough

-Swollen salivary glands in the neck and face

 

Today there is still no known cause for Sjorgen’s Syndrome. Researchers believe the answer may lie with an individual’s genes or exposure to certain germs. That doesn’t mean there isn’t treatment. The first step is to obtain a diagnosis. Schedule an appointment with your Los Angeles, CA, dentist. She measures your saliva gland and flow. Dr. Haeri will also treat any problems that result from your condition, like cavities.

 

Your treatment plan depends on you. Certain medications help stop your body’s immune response. In terms of your dry mouth, there are ways to increase saliva production. There is Artificial Saliva, which keeps your mouth moist. There are also over-the-counter products like mouthwash and toothpaste that increase saliva flow.

 

If you or a loved one struggle with chronic dry mouth, and you’re not sure why, schedule an appointment at Suzanne Haeri DDS. Your Los Angeles, CA, dentist is here for you. Call our office at 310-657-2200 or visit Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.

Dry Mouth

Dr. Suzanne Haeri treats a variety of dental conditions at her office in Los Angeles, CA, including Dry Mouth. This condition, also known as Xerostomia, makes it difficult to accomplish everyday tasks. Your mouth is too dry to eat, chew, and even speak. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, schedule an appointment today. Dry mouth should never be ignored. It’s often a sign of a serious medical condition.

 

Saliva isn’t just for eating and speaking! It plays a very important role in your dental health. Saliva cleans your teeth of food debris while eliminating harmful pathogens. When your salivary glands aren’t functioning correctly, you are at risk of developing serious dental conditions. Plaque and tooth decay occur more frequently. Scheduling an appointment with your Los Angeles dentist avoids any complications.

 

Determining the cause of your dry mouth is the first step. Dr. Haeri will ask about your medical history and any current medications you’re on. There are over 500 different medications that produce dry mouth. Research all daily pharmaceuticals, even ones as simple as allergy relief. You might need to talk to your general practitioner or primary care physician about switching to an alternative medication. Autoimmune disorders may also be the culprit. Certain conditions, like Sjögren's syndrome, are known for causing dry mouth. This systemic disorder attacks the salivary glands. Contemplate other medical treatments you’re receiving. Chemotherapy commonly produces dry mouth.

 

Treatment depends entirely upon you. The cause of the dryness also plays a part. In general, there are a few ways to increase your saliva production. First, cut all sugary drinks and foods from your diet. Sugar is known for drying out your mouth. Eliminate drinks like soda, coffee, tea, and alcohol from your daily routines. Instead, drink water. Increasing your water intake keeps your mouth moist. Lastly, consider over-the-counter dry mouth medications. These are available at your local grocery store or supermarket. They are available in gel, mouthwash, and toothpaste form.

 

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is a dental professional located in Los Angeles, CA. To schedule an appointment with her office, visit her website or call 310-657-2200.

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.

 

Sjogren's Syndrome

When people are suffering from dry mouth, their oral hygiene becomes even more important. At the South Carthay dental practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, we provide regular cleanings, but we also want our patients to have a better understanding of their own conditions. One potential cause of dry mouth is Sjögren’s Syndrome.

Dry mouth and dry eyes are two of the first signs of Sjögren’s Syndrome. It usually appears with other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, following an infection. In some people, it also affects the joints and skin, but it is tested for with a biopsy of the saliva glands. If a patient is suspected to have Sjögren’s Syndrome, they will be referred to an oral surgeon who will pluck some saliva glands from their lower lip and send them to a laboratory.

Most people with Sjögren’s Syndrome are older women. Due to their lack of saliva, the food debris in their mouths is not being washed away. While such patients need to be more attentive to their brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping, they can also be helped with artificial throat moisturizers and medications. One stop-gap solution to generate saliva is to chew sugar-free gum and candy.

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.

 

Dry Mouth

When there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth, this can leave it feeling dry and uncomfortable. Dry mouth may occur in the morning after a long night of sleep, or it may be a sign of dehydration. A persistent dry mouth can become a problem because saliva is our mouth’s natural defense against tooth decay. If you notice your mouth is drier than usual, it may be time to discuss treatment options with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS.

Symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth or a dry feeling in the throat. Though dry mouth is a normal part of aging, it can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes. Treatment for dry mouth usually depends on the cause, but it helps to avoid tobacco products, alcohol and drinks with caffeine as these can make the problem worse.

If you have questions about dry mouth, please 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.