Dental Blog

Dental implants are a state-of-the-art tooth replacement option that offers a wide range of advantages over other techniques that were once used to replace teeth. Most of our patients at Eric Yao DDS, MAGD who are in need of teeth replacement can benefit from dental implants, which can be used in place of dentures or other prosthetic options like partial dentures or bridges. Implants are used to replace single or multiple missing teeth that are beyond repair.

If you are confronted with a dental emergency, the first thing to do is try not to panic. Easier said than done but keeping calm and taking some simple measures ahead of your emergency appointment can help you get through the unfortunate experience by making it less of an ordeal.

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.

You probably know quite a few people who have whitened their teeth as it’s an extremely popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. However, if you ask those who used an over-the-counter whitening kit about their experience, you’ll probably find the results were less than stellar or that they encountered some unpleasant side-effects during the entire process.

Selecting a new dentist and a new dental practice is an important decision, as hopefully if you make the right choice, you will see your dentist for many years to come. When you choose a good dental practice, the dentist and staff will work hard at building a good relationship with you based on mutual trust and respect. It’s important that you like your dentist and feel comfortable talking with their team.

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.