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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Brushing and flossing could help a lot more than just your mouth. In recent years, scientists have found evidence linking oral health conditions to other issues in the body, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Now, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s West Los Angeles dental practice want to pass along information showing that treating gum disease improves symptoms of cirrhosis.

Inflammation is a part of the immune system’s response, but when the liver is inflamed chronically, it could scar over. This is cirrhosis, and it significantly reduces the liver’s effectiveness at filtering blood. With less effective filtering, inflammation becomes worse and many people experience cognitive decline. Scientists expected cirrhosis to be common in people with periodontal disease because they both can be caused by smoking and heavy use of alcohol. But unusually high rates of gum disease have also been found in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, so scientists started looking for a causative link.

In a study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, people with both diseases were examined for symptoms of cirrhosis after getting periodontal therapy. Patients who were treated were found to have better cognitive function and more anti-inflammatory gut bacteria than the control group. Scientists are excited by this potential new avenue to treating cirrhosis. We hope that anyone suffering from gum disease will come to us for help regardless, and that they might find unexpected benefits.

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.

 

Gum Disease and Healthy Eyes

Oral health is closely tied to the health of the rest of the body. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office, we don’t want our patients to miss regular cleanings or neglect their oral hygiene. One more reason to brush is the connection between gum disease and macular degeneration.

Gum disease occurs when bacteria are allowed to grow out of control in the gum pockets, triggering the immune system’s inflammation response. Bleeding gums are the result of gingivitis. Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that occurs when the macula, a part of the retina, thins out, has fluid leaking into it, or has blood vessels growing in it. It causes people to have blurry spots in the center of their vision.

Scientists had long observed that macular degeneration is more common in people with gingivitis, but did not know why. A new study established that one particular type of bacteria from the mouth, Porphyromonas gingivalis, can infect the tissues of the eye. When the tissue was infected, immunosuppression and growth of new blood vessel tissue were likelier. Scientists have more to learn about the association, but there’s reason to think that keeping the gums healthy can also help keep the eyes safe.

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.

 

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.