What is a General Dentist?

General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall health. Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. When looking for exceptional and quality general dentistry services, look no further than the practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS in Los Angeles, CA.  

Instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, general dentists, such as Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS provide plenty of different services for you and your family, such as: cosmetic procedures, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures, gum disease treatment, home care instruction, root canal therapy, teeth cleanings and many more.

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.

Breaking Bad Oral Habits

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to get to the root of this problem. If you have sensitive teeth, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease the sensitivity. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following, do your best to stop yourself in your tracks.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, 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.

Cavity Causes

Dental cavities are common, affecting over 90 percent of the population. As much as we love to see you at the dental practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS our staff would rather you prevent them altogether. The number of cavities can be reduced by proper nutrition, excellent oral hygiene, few snacks in between meals, the use of oral or topical fluorides, and topical sealants. But where do they come from if you are already receiving one or more of the above?

Cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth consume simple sugars, converting them into acid plaque. Acid plaque is different from the periodontal plaque that causes gum disease. The reason is that acid plaque produced by these bacteria cause the hard inorganic layers of the enamel and dentin to soften. The softened layers are then dissolved by saliva, leaving a hole (cavity) in the tooth. Small cavities may go unnoticed, but the larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by toxins and cause a severe toothache.

If you suspect you have a cavity, 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.

Show Off Your Smile

At the dental practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, our staff always wants you to be ready to smile for the camera, but sometimes our smile needs a bit of work or repair. If you need a confidence boost because your smile isn’t the one you dreamed of, we have plenty of cosmetic treatment options for you to choose from. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we thought we’d share these tips that will help you show off the photogenic smile that we’re confident you already have.

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, 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.

Details on Handling Dental Emergencies

At the dental practice of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS our staff understands that accidents happen. Knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call immediately. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you suspect that you may need a tooth extracted or if you have a tooth that is causing you pain, schedule a consultation with us. 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.

Why Do We Have Teeth?

Imagine if you had no teeth. You wouldn’t be able to eat, speaking would be difficult and you wouldn’t be able to digest food properly. Teeth are extremely useful and they help tear, cut, and break up food into very small pieces so that you can swallow easily. Because of the impact they have on our overall health, they give us the energy that we need to live. In case you aren’t aware that you have four different types of teeth, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS thought it would be neat to explain what they are and the purpose they serve in your mouth.

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have further questions regarding your teeth, 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.

Different Reasons for Dental Extractions

If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS will try her best to fix it with a filling, crown or other dental treatment. However, when there’s too much damage for a tooth to be repaired, the tooth may need to be extracted from its socket in the bone. You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other reasons for the procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you suspect that you may need a tooth extracted or if you have a tooth that is causing you pain, schedule a consultation with us. 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.