Blog Archive
What Your Chronic Bad Breath Is Trying to Tell You Jul 5th, 2023Bad breath, or halitosis, can be an acute condition (say, if you eat something garlicky) or chronic. There are many potential causes, but most tie back to a single root cause — periodontal disease. Dr. Virginia Ellis of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. treats periodontal disease in her office...
Why Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments Are Better than Store-Bought Kits Jun 1st, 2023When your permanent teeth first came in, they were clean and white. A lifetime of living, though, has probably left them dull and discolored, which isn’t at all what you want people to see. Fortunately, you have teeth whitening options that can smarten up your smile, and a lot of...
All About Bruxism: Warning Signs, Complications, and Treatment Options May 5th, 2023Bruxism is a common sleep disorder that affects about 10% of adults and up to 15% of children. This condition involves clenching and grinding your teeth in your sleep, which can hurt your jaw muscles, teeth, and temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which are the hinge joints that connect your jawbone to...
Understanding the Link Between Diabetes and Gum Disease Apr 3rd, 2023Gum disease, termed gingivitis in its early stage and periodontitis in its more serious stage, is an infection of the gums. Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels due to a lack of the hormone insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or cell resistance to insulin’s effects (Type 2...
Adult Tooth Loss Is Common: Here's How to Avoid It Mar 1st, 2023According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by age 17, 7% of Americans lose at least one permanent tooth due to decay. For adults 35-44, that number rises to 69%, and by age 50, the average American loses 12 teeth. Dr. Virginia Ellis of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS...
What Should I Avoid Eating with Veneers? Feb 2nd, 2023If you have one or more cosmetic dental issues, Dr. Virginia Ellis of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, may recommend dental veneers to remedy the problem and make your smile dazzlingly white. Many patients, though, wonder if there are limitations with veneers when it comes to eating. The good news is you...
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Dental Implants Jan 11th, 2023Whenever you lose a tooth, your oral health takes a big hit. Missing teeth can alter your bite, cause extra wear and tear on your other teeth, and lead to bone loss in your jaw. The gaps can also make you self-conscious about your smile. If you’re missing one or...
3 Signs You Need to See an Emergency Dentist Dec 5th, 2022Unfortunately, accidents happen. And sometimes you need to see an emergency dentist to put things right. Virginia H. Ellis, DDS, is an expert in emergency dentistry, and she has treated many serious and time-sensitive dental problems at her practice, Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp., in Orinda, California. In this...
How Are TMJ and Bruxism Related? Nov 1st, 2022You have two jaw joints, one on each side of your head. Called the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), they’re hinged joints that connect your jaw with your skull and allow you to open and close your mouth to eat and speak. TMJ is also the name given to pain, stiffness, and...
Are Jaw Problems Causing Your Headaches? Oct 5th, 2022Do you wake up every morning with a headache or often feel a dull throbbing throughout the day? It could be due to a number of reasons. For example, it might happen because of the way you sleep or because you have tight neck or shoulder muscles. But, there’s another...
5 Smart Habits for Lowering Your Risk for Gum Disease Sep 6th, 2022Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a progressive bacterial infection that irritates, inflames, and eventually destroys gum tissue. If you fail to brush, floss, and get regular dental checkups, it can become entrenched and worsen over time. It’s a serious problem in the United States, as about half of...
Why You Shouldn't Ignore a Cracked Tooth Aug 2nd, 2022If you crack a tooth, you need to treat the situation as an emergency and schedule an urgent appointment with Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California. This is because only a dental professional can tell if a crack is minor or if it needs major work right away to...
5 Types of Dental Caps Jul 6th, 2022Do you have a tooth with a crack, a large filling, and another structural issue? A dental cap — also called a crown — can shore up your tooth and give you a great smile again. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp., in Orinda, California, Dr. Ellis and her staff specialize in...
Why Aren’t My Teeth White Anymore? Jun 1st, 2022We spend our early years with pearly white teeth, but a lifetime of living can turn them dull and discolored. If you’re like most people, you’re looking for a way to bring the white back. Fortunately, there are ways to do just that. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp....
What Can a Night Guard Do for Me? May 3rd, 2022Do you wake up in the morning with sore teeth and an aching jaw? If so, you may be unconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Clenching and grinding can lead to sharp pain or a dull ache in your jaw, as well as excessive tooth wear and...
Dental Implant vs. Bridge: Which Is Right for Me? Apr 7th, 2022If you’re missing one or more teeth — and by age 50, according to the CDC, the average American has lost 12 — it can seriously damage your oral health. From bite misalignments to worn teeth to the inability to clean properly, missing teeth can cause a host of problems, making...
Can a Night Guard Stop Me from Snoring? Mar 1st, 2022Snoring is often more than just noisy breathing while you sleep. In many cases, it’s a sign you have a condition called sleep apnea, where you actually stop breathing for short periods of time. It’s a relatively common condition, affecting about 26% of adults ages 30-70. While you may not...
How Veneers Can Strengthen Weak Teeth Feb 1st, 2022If your teeth are weak, cavity-prone, or both, you have a number of options to strengthen them and give yourself a bright, healthy smile. One of the more overlooked options is dental veneers, which are wafer-thin porcelain shells that the dentist bonds to the fronts of your teeth. At Virginia...
8 Reasons You Could Be at Risk for Gum Disease Jan 1st, 2022Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a progressive bacterial infection that causes inflammation and destruction of the gum tissue. It can easily establish itself and worsen if you don’t maintain good oral hygiene and get regular dental checkups. In the United States, gum disease is a serious problem. More...
What Can Be Done About My Popping Jaw? Dec 1st, 2021If you’re experiencing popping, clicking, or grating sounds whenever you open or close your mouth, chances are good that you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which is a problem with the hinge joint that connects your jaw to your skull. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,...
My Teeth Are Yellow: Can You Help? Nov 1st, 2021Yellow or stained teeth can put a dent in your smile. That may be why, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, almost 90% of dental patients ask their providers for some type of teeth whitening. Here at Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, we often get...
Choosing Dental Implants for Your Missing Teeth Oct 1st, 2021Anytime you lose a tooth, you put a dent in your oral health. A missing tooth can alter your bite, cause added wear on other teeth, and lead to bone loss in your jaw. It may also make you self-conscious about your smile. If you have one or a few...
When Emergency Dentistry Is Necessary Sep 1st, 2021You always hope it won’t ever come to it, but sometimes an emergency dental appointment is essential. Virginia H. Ellis, DDS, of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, is a qualified emergency dentist who can help resolve a wide range of serious and time-sensitive dental problems. Here’s...
How Can a Night Guard Help Me? Aug 8th, 2021If you wake up in the morning with sore teeth and an aching jaw, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Not only does this cause pain, but it can also lead to tooth wear and degeneration of the jaw joint. Fortunately, there’s a solution to...
The Many Uses for Dental Caps Jul 14th, 2021Dental caps and dental crowns are synonymous terms. Both are tooth-shaped restorations that fit over the entire visible portion of the tooth. If a tooth gets a chip or crack, for example, a dental cap can reinforce the tooth and improve its appearance. Virginia H. Ellis, DDS, of Virginia H....
How Scaling and Root Planing Can Save Your Teeth Jun 16th, 2021When brushing and flossing, many people tend to think that the health of their teeth equals their oral health. However, the truth is your gums are just as important to your oral health, if not more so. Your gums are part of a larger tissue system called the periodontium, and...
Your Tooth Is Knocked Out, and Your Next Steps Matter May 24th, 2021It’s common — not just for kids, but also for active adults — to get hurt playing sports, particularly contact sports. A primary area of damage is the face, with sports-related dental injuries ranging anywhere from minor chips to a completely knocked-out tooth. Each year, children and adults suffer an...
Dental Bonding: The Quick-and-Easy Way to Improve Your Smile Apr 12th, 2021So, you’ve chipped or cracked a tooth — what now? You could get a veneer or crown, but they can get expensive. That’s where dental bonding comes in. Dental bonding can repair damage quickly without draining your wallet. At the office of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda,...
How to Whiten Your Teeth and Keep Them That Way Mar 9th, 2021According to the American Association of Orthodontists, close to 90% of dental patients request teeth whitening treatments from their providers. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, we also get many questions about how to whiten teeth and keep them white. Dr. Ellis and our team offer...
Changing the Look of Your Smile With Veneers Feb 11th, 2021When you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, it can affect how you interact with friends and colleagues, and it can lower your self-confidence. If you’re part of the majority of Americans — more than half — who feel insecure about their teeth, consider custom veneers. At Virginia H....
My Jaw Pops: Do I Have a TMJ Disorder? Jan 13th, 2021Earaches, neck pain, and a jaw that pops, clicks, or gets stuck are all signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, Dr. Ellis specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ problems. In this blog, she explains what TMJ disorders are along...
Why a Night Guard Might Be Right For You Dec 2nd, 2020Do you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache most mornings? These could be signs that you may benefit from a custom-fit night guard. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, Dr. Ellis, a skilled general and cosmetic dentist, recommends night guards to her patients...
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Replace a Missing Tooth Nov 1st, 2020According to the American Dental Association, adults ages 20-64 have three or more decayed or missing teeth. And having missing teeth can lead to a variety of oral and overall health problems. Here at Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, Dr. Ellis makes it her mission to...
When a Bridge Provides the Perfect Solution Oct 15th, 2020A dental bridge does just what it sounds like it does: It bridges the gap between missing teeth. There are a few options for replacing missing teeth, so how do you know when a bridge is the right solution? Take a few minutes to read what Dr. Ellis of Virginia...
How Professional Teeth Whitening Delivers Dramatic Results Sep 11th, 2020We’ve all seen the ads for at-home teeth whitening kits that promise amazing results. But, can whitening strips, pens, and gels deliver equal or better results than a professional whitening? Most of the time, the answer is no. If you want predictable and dramatic whitening results using safe products, a...
Top Signs Your Gums Are in Trouble Aug 2nd, 2020Nearly half of all adults in the United States have some level of gum disease. And gum disease doesn't just affect your oral health. Gum disease, which starts out as gingivitis, and, if not treated, turns into periodontal disease, can lead to serious consequences for your overall health as well....
Versatile Veneers Can Transform Your Smile Jul 1st, 2020When you think about transforming your smile from dull to dazzling, you may think the only way to do that is through extensive dental work. However, that may not be necessary. Veneers are a relatively simple, yet highly effective way to correct a variety of common dental flaws. Here at...
Why A Dental Implant Excels in Both Form and Function Mar 9th, 2020Losing one or more teeth can leave you feeling stressed and self-conscious, and it can make it difficult to eat the foods you love. While there are several solutions for replacing missing teeth, dental implants top all others in both form and function: If you have missing teeth, our highly...
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency? Feb 3rd, 2020Imagine these scenarios: You’re at your son’s baseball game, and he knocks a tooth loose while sliding into home plate. You have pain in your jaw that begins to throb and cause ear pain. You bite down too hard on a piece of candy and chip a tooth or loosen...
Resolve to Have Whiter Teeth This Year Jan 9th, 2020It’s that time of year again — the time when we all make resolutions to be better versions of ourselves in the coming year. But, how often do those resolutions fall by the wayside after a month or two? Do you want a resolution you can actually accomplish? How about...
What Does It Mean If You Hear Your Jaw Pop When You Chew? Dec 17th, 2019The lower jaw is connected to the skull by a hinge joint known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Like any joint in the body, the TMJ is vulnerable to injury and wear and tear over time, putting you at risk for a condition known as TMJ syndrome (also known as...
Holiday Parties and Photos: Just Two of the Many Reasons to Have Your Teeth Professionally Whitened Nov 20th, 2019The holidays are a time when family and friends gather to celebrate and, thanks to cellphones-turned-cameras, everyone is a potential photographer. If you want your smile to light up your holiday photos, professional teeth whitening is just the ticket. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp, our team offers a...
Remedy Gum Disease With The Help of Our Perio Protect Trays Oct 1st, 2019When gum disease gets serious, so do the treatments. The problem is that the damage occurs below the gum line, out of the reach of brushing and flossing. Typically, this means some aggressive scaling and root planing at the dentist’s office, and even full-on dental surgery that can cause an...
The Importance of Biannual Dental Cleanings Sep 27th, 2019We get it — going to the dentist is rarely exciting. It’s probably fair to say that most people dread the thought. But these visits are necessary to maintain both your oral health and your overall health. It’s no surprise, then, that researchers have found a clear connection between oral...
Do You Grind Your Teeth While Sleeping? If So, You Need a Custom Night Guard Aug 22nd, 2019If you unconsciously grind, gnash, or clench your teeth, you might have a condition called bruxism. While it may not seem serious, bruxism can trigger a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including: Flattened or damaged teeth Enamel loss Increased tooth sensitivity and sore gums Soft tissue damage to the inside of...
