Pediatric Sealants

Did you know that cavities are common in kids ages five to fourteen? With baby teeth falling out and adult teeth coming in, deep grooves and gaps make it difficult for kids to brush their teeth thoroughly. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, takes pride in educating her young patients about proper oral hygiene. Sometimes, though, certain procedures are required to help young patients prevent cavities. Sealants prevent food from getting stuck in grooves and gaps, which ultimately prevents the process of tooth decay. Your Los Angeles dentist is committed to helping your child stay cavity-free!

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, dental sealants are used in an effort to keep out tooth decay. Sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. Dr. Haeri fills in the grooves that are hard to reach while brushing with the thin plastic material. This added layer of protection greatly lowers your child’s chances of developing a cavity.

When you help your child prevent cavities at an early age, they are less likely to have oral health problems as an adult. The way they take care of their baby teeth directly affects how taking care of their adult teeth will be. Solidify good dental hygiene habits now by encouraging your child to take care of their teeth properly, and they will be rewarded with a lifetime of good oral health.

Do you think your child could benefit from sealants? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. 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.

 

How Sugar Affects Your Teeth

Sugar impacts your teeth in a big way. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, takes pride in educating her patients about the importance of restricting sugary foods and drinks. It’s ideal to cut out this kind of food from your diet completely, but it’s understandable that sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp soda on a hot day. More attention should be paid to, say, how many sugary beverages you drink in a day or week. Is it really adding up? If so, consider restricting your intake for the sake of your teeth.

Sugar easily coats the surface of your teeth and attracts the “bad bacteria,” such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. These destructive bacteria feed on the sugar and disturb the natural pH of your mouth, to the point where the acidity is too much for your teeth. Over time, the enamel on your teeth is broken down little by little. This isn’t ideal since tooth enamel cannot be replaced. Once that natural barrier is gone, it’s gone for good. Improper dental hygiene only speeds up this destructive process.

If you can’t give up sugar completely, then consider these tips to fight tooth decay:

- Watch what you eat and drink. Make sure to incorporate healthy options, such as fibrous vegetables.

- Restrict the sugar. Try drinking more water, your teeth will thank you (and so will your body).

- Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing two to three times a day.

- Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to take a closer look inside your mouth, monitor anything suspicious, and give your teeth a good professional cleaning. 

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.

 

Inlays and Onlays

Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is committed to making sure you have a smile that you can be proud of, which is why she offers cosmetic dentistry services to help rebuild your smile. Dental inlays are used to replace a small portion of a tooth that is missing, which is similar to how fillings are used, only now inlays are made of tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain instead of gold. Inlays fit inside the tooth and undergo a bonding process that improves the overall strength of the tooth. Like inlays, dental onlays also fit inside the tooth except they extend to the chewing surface at the back of the tooth to replace a missing cusp. Onlays were also made of gold, undergoing a similar bonding process.

The procedure begins by removing the decayed material from the tooth. A mold is then taken and sent to the lab to create the inlay or onlay. It takes about two to three weeks for the inlay or onlay to be made, so in the meantime, a temporary inlay or onlay is placed on the tooth. When the process of making the inlay or outlay is completed, it is set on the tooth with cement.

Prevention is the best way to avoid sitting under the drill. Regular flossing and brushing will decrease the chances of needing these procedures done since cavities and tooth decay are at the root of these issues. 

Are you interested in learning more about the inlay and onlay procedure? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you have. 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.

 

Crown Lengthening

Do you feel like you have a “gummy” smile? In other words, are your teeth covered by excess gum tissue? Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is committed to helping her patients feel confident and happy with their smiles. We are excited to offer crown lengthening to bring out the fullness of your teeth!

The crown lengthening procedure involves reshaping your gum line as well as the bone around the affected tooth or teeth. This creates a more balanced gum to tooth ratio. The great thing about crown lengthening is that it can be performed on as many or as little affected teeth there are in the patient’s mouth. One tooth with excess gum tissue can be reshaped or a whole gum line can be reshaped, depending on the patient.

In addition to your smile becoming more aesthetically pleasing, crown lengthening also improves the overall health of your gums. The edge of the restoration is sturdy enough to withstand brushing and flossing to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

Are you interested in learning more about the crown lengthening procedure? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you have. 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.

 

Bonding and Fillings

Chipping or breaking a tooth can be very painful. It leaves the tooth misshapen or with a sharpened edge that could hurt the inside of your mouth. Dental bonding and fillings assist in rebuilding the affected tooth with special materials. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is proud to offer both of these procedures to her patients. Dr. Haeri is committed to helping fix your smile when unexpected chips and breaks occur!

 

Dental bonding restores the natural shape of your tooth by using composite resin matched to your specific tooth color. In cases of accidental damage or minor decay, it is an inexpensive way to restore the look of the tooth to its normal healthy self. Dental bonding can also be used for protecting the roots of your teeth. Receding gums that expose the tooth root allow bacteria in easily, making them more susceptible to infection.

 

Dental fillings focus more on restorative efforts rather than cosmetic ones since they are stronger and more durable than dental bonding. This method also has a low cost but is the better option over dental bonding in the long run. Whereas dental bonding fixes the outside of the tooth, dental fillings fix the inside of a tooth that has been damaged from decay or breakage. For back teeth, it’s better to use metal fillings so that it can better withstand the force of chewing. 

 

Have you chipped or broken a tooth? We will assess the damage and come up with 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.

 

Tongue Brushing For Children

At Suzanne Haeri DDS, we treat patients of all ages. Dr. Suzanne Haeri believes that teaching children strong dental hygiene practices now will follow them into adulthood. It’s why we recommend having your child brush their tongue daily. It might sound strange, but it’s a good dental habit for everyone! The tongue is an overlooked but very important part of the mouth. If you’re interested in learning more, visit our office in Los Angeles, CA.

 

Children are at a higher risk of tooth decay than adults. This is because their teeth are much softer than adult teeth. Tongue cleaning eliminates some of that risk. You may be asking why. The answer is really simple! Tongues are sticky, letting them hold onto large amounts of bacteria and food debris. This results in tooth decay and other issues. Brushing and flossing can only clean so much. It’s why tongue cleaning is the perfect solution.

 

Your child can use their toothbrush to clean their tongue. Did you know there’s an even better solution? Most grocery stores and supermarkets sell pediatric tongue cleaners. They vary by size based on your child’s age. The perfect size will match the width of their tongue. Just wait until your child is at least five years old.

 

The cleaning itself is a straightforward process. Stand with your child in front of a mirror where they can see themselves. Ask them to stick out their tongue. While watching themselves in the mirror, help them place the scrapper at the back of the tongue. Instruct them to slowly bring the appliance down towards the tip. It’s that easy!

 

If you’re looking for a family dentist in Los Angeles, CA, contact Dr. Suzanne Haeri DDS. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, call 310-657-2200 or visit her website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.

Sjorgen's Syndrome

Many medical conditions negatively impact your dental health. One of these is called Sjorgen’s Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s saliva and tear glands. These glands become damaged and stop working. If you notice that your mouth is chronically dry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri today. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Suzanne Haeri DDS treats patients of all ages.

 

There is an incredibly long list of symptoms that accompany Sjorgen’s Syndrome. We’ve sorted out the ones that directly affect the mouth:

 

-Dry mouth, lips, and throat

-Frequent cavities or infections

-Scratchy or hoarse voice

-Problems swallowing

-Chronic cough

-Swollen salivary glands in the neck and face

 

Today there is still no known cause for Sjorgen’s Syndrome. Researchers believe the answer may lie with an individual’s genes or exposure to certain germs. That doesn’t mean there isn’t treatment. The first step is to obtain a diagnosis. Schedule an appointment with your Los Angeles, CA, dentist. She measures your saliva gland and flow. Dr. Haeri will also treat any problems that result from your condition, like cavities.

 

Your treatment plan depends on you. Certain medications help stop your body’s immune response. In terms of your dry mouth, there are ways to increase saliva production. There is Artificial Saliva, which keeps your mouth moist. There are also over-the-counter products like mouthwash and toothpaste that increase saliva flow.

 

If you or a loved one struggle with chronic dry mouth, and you’re not sure why, schedule an appointment at Suzanne Haeri DDS. Your Los Angeles, CA, dentist is here for you. Call our office at 310-657-2200 or visit Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.