Periodontal Disease

Did you know that it’s abnormal for your gums to bleed while brushing your teeth? Your hands shouldn’t bleed when you wash them, but many people seem to think that bleeding from the gums is normal. In actuality, this is a sign of an underlying issue. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, dedicates her time and expertise in educating patients about good oral health. Your Los Angeles dentist will help you achieve the smile you’ve been longing for.

If your gums are swollen and bleeding, these are signs of the beginning stages of periodontal disease known as gingivitis. The gums have been infected with bacteria-infested plaque, which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or pre-existing conditions. Periodontitis is the advanced stage of the disease, where the teeth can actually be loosened and fall out.

Factors that increase your risk of periodontal disease include:

- Chronic stress

- Certain medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, high blood pressure meds, seizure-controlling meds, and calcium blockers

- Poor nutrition

- Fluctuating hormones

- Diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and HIV

- Teeth grinding

- Crooked or crowded teeth

- Tobacco use

- Genetics

- Poor dental hygiene, especially with braces on your teeth

Do you think you could be experiencing periodontal disease? We will assess what’s going on and get you started on a treatment plan. 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.

 

Diode Laser Gum Surgery

It’s no secret that dental technology has improved over the years. For example, we can now make digital molds of our teeth over traditional putty impressions. Dr. Suzanne Haeri is dedicated to learning all she can about the advancements in dentistry. One such advancement is a laser that helps patients with periodontal problems. Dr. Haeri is thrilled to offer the Diode Soft Tissue Laser in her Los Angeles practice.

The Diode Soft Tissue Laser helps patients who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. The laser successfully stops bleeding, seals lymphatic and nerve endings, and decreases inflammation. Your Los Angeles dentist is able to perform surgery on your gums without needles, bleeding, and stitches. The patient is also able to eat, drink, and talk after the procedure with zero discomfort. As an added bonus, the laser sterilizes the gum tissue at the restoration site.

Other benefits of using a Diode Soft Tissue Laser to help periodontal disease include:

- Added safety

- Less invasive

- Less painful post-procedure

- Better precision

- Better conservation of healthy tissue

- No bleeding

- Highly sterile

- Painless procedure

- More efficient

Suzanne Haeri DDS practices at 1100 S La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information about Diode Laser Gum Surgery or to schedule an appointment, please visit suzannehaeridds.com or call 310-657-2200.

 

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.

 

Smoking and Periodontal Health

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can affect the bone structure that supports teeth and keeps them from falling out. To prevent periodontal disease, it’s best to schedule routine cleanings and professional exams with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS, to maintain optimal oral health. Smoking tobacco has a detrimental effect on your teeth and gums. We understand that it’s not easy to quit, but your mouth will thank you if you are able.

If you are a tobacco user, the symptoms of periodontal disease will increase. You may notice bleeding gums while brushing, red, swollen, or tender gums, as well as persistent bad breath. Periodontal disease is a serious infection and smokers have twice the risk of developing this condition as nonsmokers. The more cigarettes a person smokes, the greater his or her risk for developing periodontal disease. If you stop smoking, your gums will begin to heal, and you can improve periodontal health with good dental habits.

If you have questions or concerns regarding smoking and oral health, please give us a call. 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.

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.

 

Scaling to Prevent Gum Disease

Dr. Susan Haeri sees patients experiencing every stage of gum disease. Gum disease can progress quickly without a regular oral hygiene routine, but more people are looking for ways to prevent that from happening. Scaling is a deep cleaning procedure that helps stop gum disease in its tracks.

For patients who want to protect themselves from later stages of gum disease, a scaling procedure will eliminate any buildup of plaque and tartar and give the patient a clean slate.  Scaling involves your dentist using various tools to scrape and clean any and all plaque off the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gums.  Your dentist may also recommend root planing, which is the minor contouring of the tooth closer to the root that may help prevent future buildup in the area.  A scaling procedure is superficial, but local anesthetic may be used for comfort.  Depending on the severity of buildup, your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments.

To learn more about scaling and all 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. 

Diode Laser Treatment for Gums

Dr. Suzanne Haeri has seen great results at her practice from laser technology.  This advancement in the technology available to dentists has been especially successful in periodontal treatments.  Patients experiencing every stage of gum disease can see improvement from laser treatment.  The diode laser is so effective in periodontal treatments because it can target unhealthy gum tissue and leave healthy tissue undisturbed. The precision that can be achieved with a laser results in less trauma to the mouth and less recovery time.

In the past, periodontal treatment was completed using more aggressive tools and often required stitches. With a diode laser, treating only the affected gum tissue and not damaging any healthy gums is more efficient and causes little to no bleeding, which means less swelling after the procedure.  Patients often find the laser procedure relatively painless, so less and sometimes no anesthetic is needed.  Please contact us to improve your oral health with a laser treatment for your gums!

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, of Cosmetic & General Dentistry, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035.  To learn more about diode laser treatment, visit SuzanneHaeriDDS.com for more information.  To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200.

Different Levels of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If your gums are inflamed, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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 in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.