Dental Blog

If you have lost a tooth or have missing teeth that were originally adjacent to each other, your dentist may have suggested replacing them with a dental bridge. A dental bridge is designed to bridge the gap left behind by a missing tooth or teeth that were originally side by side. It consists of dental crowns that fit over the teeth adjacent to the gap; these teeth are called abutment teeth. The replacement tooth or teeth are fitted between and are attached to the crowns to create a complete restoration. Each replacement tooth is called a pontic. Dental bridges are a tried and tested way to replace missing teeth, producing good results in a way that is reasonably non-invasive and quick to complete.

It is a famous saying, "Life is short, so smile while you still have teeth," but what if you lack that aesthetical set of teeth? A smile is a magical movement of teeth and lips that expresses an array of emotions and leaves an imprint on hearts. Since the antiquated era, the beauty of a smile has existed; Phoenicians (app 800 BC) and Etruscans (app 900 BC) entirely modeled animal tusks to mimic the appearance, construction, and tone of natural teeth.

Beautiful teeth are a reason to smile! On the other hand, if you have teeth that are stained or yellowing due to smoking or eating and drinking certain foods like chocolate, berries, wine, coffee, or tea, you may feel like holding back instead of smiling. Stains and yellowing are unsightly and this problem can negatively impact your life in a variety of ways. At Eric Yao DDS, MAGD, we regularly work with our patients to whiten their teeth so that they have a smile that shines. Professional teeth whitening can impact a patient’s life on many levels from having better dental health to increased self-esteem!

Children necessitate special attention when it comes to their dental health. Proper care at the early stages of life provides healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that a child should visit a dentist as early as six months. You can wait for some teeth to erupt before going to the dentist, as the process begins when a baby is six months old.

Most people assume flossing and brushing their teeth two times per day will suffice for oral health care. The truth is you need a professional dental cleaning at least once every six months. Flossing and brushing at home will only do so much for your teeth. The dentist's nuanced dental instruments and expertise are necessary to eliminate plaque, tartar, bacteria, stains, and discoloration from your teeth. Skip your 6-month dental visits and you run the risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and/or significant oral pain.

They’re refreshing and tasty. They’re easy to find and pretty cheap. They help us get through a long day or a long workout. They’re everywhere.

We know it’s hard to say no to an energy or sports drink. That’s why Dr. Eric Yao and our team want to make sure you know the effects that energy and sports drinks can have on your smile and overall oral health. You might just think twice next time you crave one.

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you already know the frustration of having a type of pain that is hard to deal with. Because tooth sensitivity is sometimes unpredictable, you can't necessarily take medication to ward off the pain like you could if you just felt a headache coming on.

Xerostomia, otherwise known as dry mouth, can be a side effect of many common medications. Drugs used for blood pressure, birth control, antidepressants, or cancer treatments may cause the dry mouth problems you’re experiencing. When you have dry mouth, you’re more likely to experience tooth decay and an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Medication can sometimes be the cause of dry mouth in women, and lead to an increased amount of cavities.

Many varieties of fillings are available at our Shoreline, WA office. Most people are familiar with traditional amalgam fillings: those big silver spots on top of teeth.

Made from a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper, and mercury, amalgam fillings have been used to fill cavities for more than 100 years. They offer several advantages, including:

• High durability for large cavities or cavities on molars
• Quick hardening time for areas that are difficult to keep dry during placement
• Reduced placement time for children and special-needs patients who may have a difficult time keeping still during treatment

TMD occurs when your bite is not properly aligned. It can cause the jaw to experience unnatural stresses and prevent it from resting properly when your mouth is closed. If you have TMD, you may have noticed a clicking noise when you chew, speak, or yawn; you may even experience pain and discomfort during these actions. In some cases, your jaw may feel “locked” following a wide yawn.

TMD can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw as well as headaches that occur when the muscles that help the joints open and close become overtired. But beyond the pain and discomfort, TMD can also cause serious dental problems if left untreated.