Intrinsic Stains

As an expert in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Suzanne Haeri offers safe, effective, and fast teeth whitening. But although bleaching is a valuable tool for combatting stains on the outside of teeth, there are some stains that may be too deep for it to reach. These are intrinsic stains, and they require a different approach.

Intrinsic stains have two causes: absorption of dark molecules during the tooth’s formation, and inflammation. The molecules are usually from tetracycline antibiotics or too much fluoride. Neither of these is harmful and the affected teeth can be covered with veneers. But when a tooth suffers trauma or infection, the patient is at risk. Dental infections will not get better on their own, and they cause severe tooth aches and can progress to the point of endangering the patient’s life. A root canal is necessary to remove the infected matter and the tooth can be reshaped or concealed afterward. Depending on how much material is removed, a new, natural-colored crown may be needed.

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.

 

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.

Halitosis Treatment

It is one thing to have bad breath after eating a meal that’s heavy on the onions, but it’s another to suffer from it on a daily basis. Medically defined as halitosis, bad breath affects an estimated 25% of people, globally. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits, this includes your visits to the dental office. If they are lacking, or non-existent, it may be time to visit Dr. Suzanne, Haeri DDS for a professional cleaning.

Next in line, after tooth decay and gum disease, halitosis (bad breath) is the third most common reason that people seek dental care. It’s important that we stress that you should never wait until these problems arise to see a dentist. Potential causes for bad breath are dry mouth and poor diet, but the biggest is poor oral hygiene habits. In addition to visiting our office twice a year for dental checkups, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and use American Dental Association (ADA) approved mouth rinse.

If you have questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene routine, 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.

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. 

What is a Bone Graft?

Bone grafting is widely used throughout medicine because of how it helps the body heal.  In dentistry, a bone graft is used to strengthen a patient’s jaw bone when it is not strong enough to support a needed implant. Dr. Suzanne Haeri performs bone grafts to restore function to the mouths of patients in need of dental implants.

When a tooth is missing for an extended period of time the jaw bone in that area is vulnerable and can weaken, and some patients naturally have a softer jaw bone.  In either case, when the patient needs an implant the bone needs to be reinforced.  A jaw bone graft is typically harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth.  During the procedure, the harvested material is grafted to the area of the jaw that needs an implant.  This reinforces the jaw bone and encourages the growth of new bone material.  This healing process typically takes a few months and should be monitored by your dentist. Once the graft has fused and healed, a dental implant can be placed.

To learn more about teeth grinding and 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. 

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.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

As part of our commitment to preventive care, we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office educate our patients about maintaining their oral hygiene after receiving replacement teeth. Cleaning a fixed bridge is easy, but it requires a few changes in habit and knowledge of the dental products available.

Implant-secured bridges may have enough room between the bridge and the gum line for a proxy brush. This Christmas tree-shaped brush can be mounted on a normal-sized toothbrush handle and be used to dislodge large pieces of food. However, all bridges must be flossed along their horizontal side and the teeth they attach to must be kept clean on all sides, as well. While some floss manufacturers make specialty floss with stiffened tips to push through the bridge gap, it is normal for patients to use a threader to loop floss around a bridge. Threaders are used by patients with braces to draw floss like a needle draws thread, and the same principle applies to bridges. The devices are cheap and reusable.

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.