Alcohol and Oral Cancer

We at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay office don’t just help you keep your teeth healthy and looking great, we also provide oral cancer screenings. When patients develop this dangerous disease, dentists are often the first medical professionals to detect it and form an important part of their care team. But we prefer to take a preventive approach, which is why we are educating patients on the connection between oral cancer and alcohol.

It has been known for a while that alcohol in combination with tobacco raises the risk of various kinds of cancer, but the above-linked study, conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, examined alcohol on its own. It found that alcohol is the cause of cancer in 5% of new cases, including oral cancer cases. Most people are unaware of the danger alcohol poses or think only heavy drinking or hard liquors are dangerous, but the study found no connection between cancer alcohol type and that moderate and light drinkers are also at risk.

Scientists have not yet figured out the exact reason alcohol causes oral cancer. But one encouraging finding of the study was that when people stop drinking, their risk of developing cancer in the aerodigestive tract (including the mouth) falls.

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.

 

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest minerals in the body and once it’s gone, it will not come back. A diet that is high in acidic foods and beverages, as well as one that is high in sugar, cannot only damage your waistline, it can damage your enamel as well. Enamel protects the teeth from the forces of chewing, biting, and other daily uses. To keep yours in tip-top shape, visit Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

Enamel erosion can occur for a variety of reasons, including bruxism, abrasion, and/or corrosion. If you brush your teeth too hard, the physical wear and tear can take a toll on tooth enamel. Lifestyle habits such as smoking and/or chewing tobacco can also damage enamel in addition to the foods we eat and drink. When we don’t brush our teeth and plaque is left behind, it can start to eat away at tooth enamel. To reduce your chances of losing enamel, eliminate highly acidic foods from your diet and drink more water throughout the day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more 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. 

New Year, New Smile

With 2017 behind us, we may have all sorts of new goals for the New Year. While some of us may be looking to lose weight or live a more active lifestyle, others may have goals in regards to their oral health. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS offers a variety of services to restore your smile and enhance its appearance. She can also educate you on the importance of preventive care. If you are overdue for a dental appointment, make it your goal to visit our office.

Whether you are looking for general dental services to keep your oral health in tip-top shape, or if you wish to make your teeth a little brighter, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS has a solution for all of your dental needs. If you have teeth that are missing, or a tooth that is causing you pain, Dr. Haeri can discuss restorative procedures with you. Whatever your smile goals are for 2018, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS can answer any questions you may have.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, restorative services, or cosmetic services, please give us a call. To learn more 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. 

Teeth Whitening

At the dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS, the doctor and her staff are always getting questions from patients about teeth whitening.  Everyone likes to make a great impression with a nice smile and we are excited to offer an at-home whitening option to patients with serious staining to the teeth, and those with minor stains who want to achieve a dazzling white smile!

A consultation can help you determine how severe your stains are and what kind of results you can expect from a whitening treatment.  To whiten your teeth at home, we outfit patients with whitening gel and a set of custom trays for application.  A dentist takes an impression of your teeth, and from this impression two custom trays are made for your top and bottom teeth. 

The trays are made for you to take home and use by applying gel to the trays and then fitting them over your teeth. The dentist’s recommendation of how often to treat and how long each treatment should last may vary.  When following the dentist’s recommendations, most patients see results of teeth whitening 4-8 shades.

To learn more about teeth whitening and all the services provided 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 Sugar is Bad for Teeth

Though some fruits such as apples contain sugar, we need these healthy foods to survive. Added sugars, however, provide no nutritional value to teeth. Limiting sugar can do wonders for your overall and oral health. This is because sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay, developing diabetes, and increasing a person’s chance of developing heart disease. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS encourages patients to reduce their sugar intake to save their teeth.

Whenever we eat, the bacteria naturally found inside the mouth works hard to break down food. However, when sugars are in the mouth, they use plaque as a source of energy to thrive. This makes it harder to wash away with saliva and may cause you to spend more time in front of the sink, brushing and flossing. Sugar is the leading cause of cavities in adults and children. To protect your smile, consume nutritious foods, rather than cookies, cakes, and sticky foods.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more 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. 

Oral Cancer and VELscope Technology

Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS wants her patients to be aware of the threat of oral cancer.  We use VELscope technology in the practice to screen for oral cancer and encourage you to ask about an oral cancer screening with each dental checkup.  While heavy smoking and drinking of course increase the risk of oral cancer, oral cancer can still occur if someone never smokes.  In fact the human papilloma virus (HPV) was recently found to be responsible for most oral cancers that originated in the back of the mouth. 

To screen for oral cancer, our doctors perform a visual exam and utilize VELscope technology.  The VELscope is an ultraviolet device approved by the FDA to detect cancerous irregularities in tissue.  Regular screenings are the best way to protect you and your family, but always contact us if you notice any inexplicable pain, swelling, or numbness in your throat or jaw.

To learn more about oral cancer screenings, the technology we use, 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. 

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.