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.

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.

 

Children's Biannual Check-Ups

Just because a tooth isn’t permanent doesn’t mean it should be allowed to rot. At Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay practice, we encourage everybody to maintain biannual dental appointments, and that’s especially important for children. Caries, the little bits of decay which cause cavities, are a big problem with consequences for more than just kids’ oral health.

Children are the demographic most likely to suffer from caries, and caries is the most common ailment among children. In young children, toothaches can discourage the use of speech, leading to developmental delays. It people of all ages, they also prevent sleep and sometimes cause people to avoid eating. Sleep and nutrition deficits are especially harmful to children and are often the cause of irritability and poor academic performance. They can also lead to a habit of jaw-clenching, which can cause headaches, neck aches, and cracked teeth.

During the biannual check-up, we give patients’ teeth a thorough cleaning and assess them for caries. We can provide fillings for cavities, but it is best to bring children in before decay can advance enough to require a root canal or a larger restoration.

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.

 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

People who depend on others for their oral hygiene need their caretakers to be informed about their particular needs. Young children are in the highest risk group for developing cavities, and for the protection of her most vulnerable patients, Dr. Suzanne Haeri wants the families she treats to understand the phenomena of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Incisors, the front teeth, are usually the first to erupt, and the fronts of the incisors are frequently exposed to sugar through a baby bottle. Though parents may rightly try to avoid giving their babies drinks such as juice and soda which have high sugar contents, it is actually the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar, more than the amount of sugar, which puts them at risk for decay. Drinking water is an important way in which we wash our teeth, but babies usually don’t have access to water bottles. They are often given bottles filled with milk or formula to slake their hunger and thirst all day.

To prevent decay, babies should only be given bottles for a limited amount of time or get their teeth brushed more frequently. They should also be taught to drink from cups at the age of one. Parents should start brushing their babies’ teeth as soon as the first one begins to emerge, keep them supplied with water.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, of Cosmetic & General Dentistry, 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.