Dental Blogs

Coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, smoking, genetics - factors like these (along with many others) can yellow your teeth, causing you to become self-conscious about your smile. If you’ve been researching ways to whiten your teeth, you may have come across something known as “GLO teeth whitening.” But what is GLO, exactly, and what does the whitening process involve? We’ve got the answers you need below.  

Do 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 who grind their teeth at night.

It’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.

Are you experiencing persistent headache sand wondering if it's linked to TMJ or migraines? At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp., we recognize the importance of distinguishing between the two to provide targeted solutions. Let's delve into the complexities of TMJ and migraines, exploring their differences and similarities and how our skilled team can help you find relief.

Do 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 problems with the jaw joint. Fortunately, we have a solution.

The 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 temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that at least 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders, but the numbers are likely much higher.

If 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, 5-12% of American adults deal with TMJ issues.

If 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.

Imagine 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 a filling. 

A 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 H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, has to say about the advantages of a dental bridge.