Causes of Bad Breath

If you have persistent bad breath, the problem may be more than something you recently ate. Halitosis is a common symptom of oral health problems. We at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay Dental office want our patients to understand that we can help them, but they need to take bad breath seriously.

Oral bacteria produce a strong odor. They may take refuge in the gum pockets and in the papillae of the tongue, where they will be able to consume food debris and form plaque. People are at greater risk of oral infections when they don’t floss deep between their teeth or scrape their tongues, as well as when they are suffering from dry mouth. Without saliva, it is harder to remove food debris and control the spread of pathogens.

Sometimes, bad breath is related to another issue, such as discharge from a nasal infection landing on the back of the tongue. People with diabetes are at elevated risk for gum infections and may have halitosis if they are going through diabetic ketoacidosis. Acid reflux can also cause dry mouth and leave a lingering odor. In addition to improving their oral hygiene, patients may try drinking more water, using mouthwash, avoiding large meals before bed, and avoiding drinks that are high in sugar and acid. When halitosis is related to a medical condition such as tonsil stones, we can at least rule out the more common causes and help manage symptoms.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Dental Avulsion - When a Tooth Gets Knocked Out

The traumatic loss of a tooth isn’t something anybody expects to happen, but it can be prepared for. We provide implants and crowns for tooth replacement at the South Carthay dental office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri, but in some cases, it may be possible for a lost tooth to be saved. To do so requires carefully following certain protocols.

When a tooth is completely displaced from its gum pocket, we call that “dental avulsion.” There may be a tooth-saving container in a nearby first aid kit, but otherwise, the tooth should be lifted by its crown and rinsed with saline. After that, a patient may try putting it back in its socket and heading for the dental office. If this cannot be done, other options are to hold in in the cheek or to transport it in a cup of milk.

The loss of a tooth is an emergency, but gashes on the face should take higher priority. A tooth that is cracked at the root cannot be reintegrated and will have to be replaced with a prosthetic. A baby tooth should also not be put back in, or else it may fuse with the jaw bone and fail to fall out when it’s supposed to. A pediatric patient may be referred to an orthodontist to keep the gap between their teeth open until the permanent tooth comes in. If an adult tooth cannot be reinserted, the patient may be given a temporary crown until a lasting solution can be provided.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth shouldn’t just look great; they should feel great, too! That’s our belief at the South Carthay office of Dr. Suzanne Haeri. Many people who suffer from sharp toothaches when they bite into something cold believe that this is normal. In fact, it could be a sign of a problem with their enamel. To understand why, it is necessary to know the tooth’s internal anatomy.

Dental pulp contains a highly sensitive nerve. It is surrounded by dentin, which is a porous substance that easily conducts heat. Enamel, a hard substance comprised of calcium and phosphate ions, makes up the crown of the tooth and insulates the underlying dentin. Cementum, a sticky substance, makes up the outer layer of the tooth root and is much thinner.

Dentin is yellow-brown in color and can be seen through enamel when enamel is thin. Although people with bruxism may grind down their enamel, loss of it is usually due to acid. Drinks such as soda and citrus juice contain high amounts of acid and people with acid reflux often have sensitivity on their upper back teeth. But most enamel loss, as well as most gum recession around sensitive tooth roots, is due to oral bacteria. Patients will need to brush more thoroughly (not necessarily harder) to rid themselves of acid and decay-causing bacteria, but we can help them by providing deep cleanings and examining them for signs of decay.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Alzheimer's and Gum Disease

A healthy smile is essential to health overall. We’ve learned a lot in recent years about the connection between gum disease and other health problems, including diabetes, cirrhosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. We hope that every patient at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office is taking care of their oral hygiene. New research indicates that if they are, they may also be protecting themselves from Alzheimer’s disease.

The bacteria that cause gum disease have natural defenses. One species, Porphyromonas gingivalis, produces toxic enzymes called gingipains to fight off white blood cells. Gingipains can also trigger the formation of plaque that kills neurons, and in a recent study, scientists found them at elevated levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. The worse the symptoms were, the more gingipains were found.

Another recent study found that P. gingivalis can move from the mouth to the brain in living people. It’s long been known that people with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene, but it increasingly seems that the relationship between the diseases goes both ways. Scientists do not believe that gum disease is the only contributing factor to Alzheimer’s, but it’s become increasingly clear that deep cleanings and regular oral hygiene are a crucial defense.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-657-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.

 

Treating Loose Teeth: Periodontal Splinting

Finding out you have a loose tooth isn’t too exciting when you’re an adult, seeing as though you’ve missed the cutoff age for the Tooth Fairy. Instead, a visit to Dr. Suzanne Haeri is in order! Located in the Los Angeles, CA, area, she offers Periodontal Splinting for loose adult teeth. This treatment option strengthens your adult teeth by attaching them together. Their combined strength creates the needed stability. This treats looseness caused by injury, periodontal disease, or misalignment.

 

Periodontal Splinting saves you the headache of needing an extraction, having to heal, and receiving a replacement tooth. It keeps your natural teeth right where they belong—in your mouth! Splinting is also a much more affordable option. Temporary and permanent splinting are the available options. Temporary splints are mainly used for short-term issues, like personal injury. The two temporary types are intra-coronal and extra-coronal. The difference lies in how they attach to the teeth. Intra-coronal splints fit into a channel carved on the tooth’s back surface. Extra-coronal splints attach straight to the enamel. Permanent splinting is a much more advanced procedure. This is due to the longevity of the splinting. Each loose tooth receives a dental crown. Connecting each is the splint. It fuses the crowns together, creating a strengthened unit.

 

Set up an appointment with your Los Angeles dentist as soon as you notice a loose tooth. Waiting makes it harder to treat and can cause lasting damage to other tooth structures. A dental examination is necessary. Many cases of loose teeth are caused by a facial injury, like some sort of hit to the face. Maybe you fell or maybe hurt yourself playing sports. There is also advanced periodontal (gum) disease. Tooth loss is inevitable at a certain stage. Taking good care of your teeth and going to your six-month checkups can help manage and prevent gum disease. Lastly, misalignment causes looseness. When you grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism, the uneven pressure shifts your teeth around. A night-guard is a removable device that protects your teeth from grinding.

 

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is available by appointment at her Los Angeles, CA, office. Don’t hesitate when your health is at stake! A loose tooth is a serious issue that needs care. Set up your appointment by visiting our website or calling 310-657-2200.

Adding Mouthwash To Your Dental Routine

Dr. Suzanne Haeri highly suggests using mouthwash on a daily basis. The solution reaches all areas of the mouth, including the hard-to-reach places! It’s the perfect supplement to your brushing and flossing routine. Mouthwash keeps your breath fresh and your teeth clean. Learn more by contacting our office in Los Angeles, CA.

 

Cosmetic and therapeutic are the two mouthwash types. Choosing between them depends entirely on what you need. If you’re looking to clear up your breath, invest in some cosmetic brands. Therapeutic mouthwash is targeted at minimizing dental problems like cavities, gingivitis, and plaque.

 

Follow these general instructions when using mouthwash:

-After examining the label, pour out the recommended liquid dosage.

-Pour it into your mouth. Swish it around vigorously. Do this for at least 30 seconds.

-Spit it into the sink when you’re done. Do not swallow it. Mouthwash contains chemicals that are harmful when ingested.

-Just like getting your teeth cleaned, avoid drinking or eating for 30 minutes after.

 

New to the mouthwash game? Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the different choices? Let your Los Angeles dentist guide you! The important part of buying a new brand of mouthwash is understanding the benefits. If you’re looking to prevent cavities, focus on a product that offers protection from dental decay. This goes for all mouthwashes. Buy a brand that works for you! For patients with certain sensitivities to dental products, pay close attention to the ingredients. Invest in a more natural brand or one that advertises as sensitivity-free. Another important tip: certain mouthwashes contain alcohol. Keep that in mind when buying for others.

 

Mouthwash is a quick and easy way to keep your mouth feeling great! It’s a helpful part of your oral care routine. Just don’t use it as a replacement for brushing and flossing. Of course, always remember to schedule your six-month checkup with Dr. Suzanne Haeri. To set up your appointment at our Los Angeles office, visit our website or call 310-657-2200.

Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can be a major problem if they are not treated properly. Crooked teeth can cause crowding among your teeth and begin to overlap each other. We want our patients at Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS to know there are ways to fix their crooked teeth and prevent crowding from occurring.

When there isn’t enough room in your mouth to fit, crowding can occur and lead to shifting. In some cases, overbites can form when your upper and lower jaws aren’t the same size, which extends your bottom teeth and jaw outward.

If you have difficulty chewing you may need a tooth extraction or braces. Braces are required to fix crowding and crooked teeth.

We advise our patients to get braces when they are young since their mouth is still growing. As your mouth continues to develop and expect your teeth will grow in straighter and more naturally.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding crooked teeth and treatment options, 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, please call 310-657-2200.