Cold Sores

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is a professional and top quality dentist in the Los Angeles, CA, area. She provides patients with both general and cosmetic dental services. She can help with all sorts of oral and dental problems, including Cold Sores. These are small blisters that form on the lips, before drying out and becoming a yellow crust. If you are suffering from painful cold sores, schedule an appointment with us today.

 

Cold sores are the direct result of the Herpes simplex virus. It’s estimated that sixty-seven percent of the population has this. It’s often transmitted during childhood. When first encountered, patients will get a fever along with mouth ulcers. After that, a cold sore flare-up can happen a few times a year. The cold sores go away after a week.

 

There is no ultimate trigger for cold sores, though they usually happen when a patient isn’t feeling well. Sunlight or UV light is another possibility. The most important thing to remember when you have a flare-up is that cold sores are contagious. You should avoid close contact, like kissing, and also touching the sore. This minimizes the chance of infecting others. Cold sores are at their most contagious when they are blistering.

 

Cold sores are identifiable by the physical appearance of the blister. Some patients feel a burning or tingling before the blister manifests. Talk to your dentist if you struggle with cold sores. Your Los Angeles, CA, dentist can recommend over-the-counter products and possibly antiviral medications.

 

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is a top-tier dentist in the Los Angeles, CA, area. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, call 310-657-2200. You can also visit her website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Also called early childhood caries (ECC), bottle mouth, and infant caries, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child’s teeth come into contact too often with sugary snacks and drinks. This also includes milk and infant formula. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, is committed to educating parents about helping their children develop good oral hygiene habits. The earlier good habits are instilled, the more likely children will maintain them through adulthood. 

 

The complications that arise from baby bottle tooth decay can be as severe as your child not developing speech properly. This is a serious problem since children are essentially sponges, taking in information and constantly learning. Baby bottle tooth decay can make speech development difficult with nasty infections and chronic pain. 

 

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by:

 

- Flossing your child’s teeth after they’ve all grown in

- Brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they start growing in

- Taking your child to regular dentist check-ups

- Encouraging healthy eating habits

- Limiting your child’s sugar intake

- Teaching your child how to drink from a cup at six months of age

- Weaning your child off the pacifier

- Wiping your infant’s gums after a feeding

 

Do you think your child could be suffering from baby bottle tooth decay? We can take a look at what’s going on and get your child started on 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.

 

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a condition identifiable by a yellow coating on the tongue and the development of mouth ulcers. The technical name for thrush is oral candidiasis. Candida albicans start multiplying, creating an abnormal amount in the lining of the mouth. The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri right away. Located in Los Angeles, CA, she provides family-friendly dental care. She can help diagnose and treat your thrush before it gets worse.

 

Everyone is at risk of developing thrush. Certain demographics are more at risk, including babies, small children, older adults, and the immunocompromised. Your Los Angeles, CA, dentist identifies thrush by the appearance of lesions. These form on the cheeks or tongue, with a white almost creamy appearance. There are also cases where the infection spreads to the roof of the mouth or gums.

 

Engaging in proper and consistent oral hygiene practices prevents thrush. Always brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes. Flossing is another daily requirement. Lastly, make sure you are keeping up with your six-month dental appointments.

 

Your Los Angeles, CA, dentist can diagnose you with thrush at your appointment. As mentioned earlier, a diagnosis is made after examining the ulcers. Treatment is a mixture of preventive care medication. The best way to treat oral thrush is by not getting it in the first place. Reexamine your dental practices. Make sure you are fully cleaning your teeth every time. It’s also important that you change your toothbrush regularly. Another great preventive measure is by adding more active cultures to your diet. This is mainly done through foods like yogurt. Lastly, your dentist can prescribe you with short-term antifungal medication. This gets rid of the infection and your symptoms.

 

Dr. Suzanne Haeri is a dedicated dental professional located in the Los Angeles, CA, area. To schedule an appointment, call 310-657-2200. You can also visit her website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.

Extraction Site Preservation

Sometimes pulling teeth is a necessary procedure for overcrowding in the mouth or infection due to tooth decay. It isn’t a procedure to be taken lightly. Like wisdom teeth removal, where the teeth are located in the back of the mouth and sutures are used, the tooth extraction site essentially becomes an open wound and one that needs to be monitored and given time to heal. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, understands that getting a tooth pulled isn’t very pleasant, but she is committed to making the procedure and healing process as comfortable as she can for all patients. 

If you ever think your healing process doesn’t feel normal, you should contact our office. Signs of complications include:

- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

- Severe nausea or vomiting

- Redness, swelling, or excessive discharge from the extraction site

- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills

Something else to keep in mind when removing teeth is what to do with that open space once it has healed. If a tooth is removed and nothing is done to the extraction site, your jaw bone will degenerate and change shape while the site heals. This can create problems in your bite and may affect chewing and speaking. Make sure you and your dentist come up with a plan to fill this space.

Do you have questions about your extraction site? We are happy to address any concerns that may come up. 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.

 

Losing The First Baby Tooth

It’s incredible how quickly children grow up. Before you know it, they’re losing their first baby tooth! The first tooth is usually lost between the ages of six and seven. For some children, this can create stress and anxiety. Dr. Suzanne Haeri, located in Los Angeles, CA, doesn’t want this to be the case. It’s why we’ve created this small guide for losing your baby teeth. Losing the first tooth is an experience your child will remember forever. Make sure it’s a happy memory!

 

Every parent knows that their child is unique. That’s why there’s no way to know for sure when the first baby tooth will become loose. Don’t worry if it happens earlier or later than normal. The best indicator is the age their teeth first came in. The earlier a tooth erupted, the earlier the age they fall out. Same with teeth that came in later. It’s simple!

 

The first baby tooth emerges around the age of six months old. After that, three to four follow every few months. All teeth are in place by the age of two. Here is the order that the baby teeth erupt: bottom middle teeth, top two middle teeth, first molars, and then second molars. They are then lost in this order, more or less. Your child will have lost and gained all their adult teeth by the time they reach thirteen.

 

Make sure your child isn’t scared by the odd sensation of a loose tooth. A baby tooth gets ready to fall out by disconnecting its nerve endings. The tooth becomes loose and wiggly. The gums around it will become inflamed and swollen. A cold compress eliminates any pain. If there is a pain when eating, supplement the diet with healthier, softer foods.

 

Suzanne Haeri DDS is a family-friendly dentist. She treats patients of all ages. Visit our office in Los Angeles, CA. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, call 310-657-2200 or visit her website at https://www.suzannehaeridds.com/.

Impacted Canines

Did you know that our canine teeth are also known as “eye teeth?” It may sound strange, but there’s a logical explanation for the nickname: the canines are simply aligned with the position of our eyes. Our canines are important for biting and guiding the rest of the teeth in position when you close your mouth. Canines also have the longest root compared to the rest of your teeth, making them the last to erupt. Sometimes canines fail to erupt properly, which causes problems for the capacity and appearance of your mouth. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, takes pride in educating her patients about everything dental!

 

An impacted canine simply means that the tooth has failed to erupt through your gums. Some causes of impacted canines include:

 

- Cysts: abnormal growths on the gums

- Overcrowding: when teeth are squished together from lack of space in the mouth

- Extra teeth: when an additional tooth occupies the space where the canine is supposed to erupt

- Ankylosed: when the canine tooth root is intertwined with the surrounding bone

 

There are some additional signs of an impacted canine to look for. This includes the presence of a palatal lump, the delayed eruption of the canine (usually after 15 years old), and the absence of a labial canine lump. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s possible that you have an impacted canine.

 

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.

 

Periodontal Disease

Did you know that it’s abnormal for your gums to bleed while brushing your teeth? Your hands shouldn’t bleed when you wash them, but many people seem to think that bleeding from the gums is normal. In actuality, this is a sign of an underlying issue. Suzanne Haeri DDS in Los Angeles, CA, dedicates her time and expertise in educating patients about good oral health. Your Los Angeles dentist will help you achieve the smile you’ve been longing for.

If your gums are swollen and bleeding, these are signs of the beginning stages of periodontal disease known as gingivitis. The gums have been infected with bacteria-infested plaque, which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or pre-existing conditions. Periodontitis is the advanced stage of the disease, where the teeth can actually be loosened and fall out.

Factors that increase your risk of periodontal disease include:

- Chronic stress

- Certain medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, high blood pressure meds, seizure-controlling meds, and calcium blockers

- Poor nutrition

- Fluctuating hormones

- Diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and HIV

- Teeth grinding

- Crooked or crowded teeth

- Tobacco use

- Genetics

- Poor dental hygiene, especially with braces on your teeth

Do you think you could be experiencing periodontal disease? We will assess what’s going on and get you started on 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.