Tonsil stones occur when bacteria, food, and other debris, become trapped in the folds of the tonsils.

The debris turns hard, forming tonsil stones. They appear as white or yellowish hard mass. People with tonsil stones may not know what they are. Tonsil stones can become a home for bacteria and may have an unpleasant smell, causing bad breath in people that have them.

Teeth cavities are holes tht develop on teeth as a result to dental decay. Cavities can cause toothaches, they also can worsen over time and cause other larger dental problems, if left untreated.

However by practicing good oral hygiene and dental health care you can help to prevent cavities from developing

At some point most people will experience red bumps or spots on the roof of their mouths. A common causes would be from food, dentures, or a mouth or throat infection

Red spots on he roof of the mouth can be irritating, but generally harmless and they should go away on their own. However if you are concerned or do not know what is causing the spots you should see a doctor as they can be a sign of something more serious.

Many people use whitening strips and other bleaching products to make their teeth whiter. However, studies reveals that too many whitening products can damage the teeth.

Various studies now show that whitening teeth with bleaching products that contain hydrogen peroxide harms the teeth and can endanger the tooth health

Facial pain can result from dental problems, tooth decay, dental/oral infections, and nerve disorders. People who experience severe, recurring, or persistent facial pain should see a doctor/dentist.

Salt water gargles are a cheap, easy, and natural alternative to medicated mouthwashes. Gargling with salt water can help clean the mouth and ease symptoms of sore throats, mouth sores, allergies, and dental procedures.

Using DNA evidence, scientists have shown that brain clot samples from people who have had ischemic stroke often contain mouth bacteria.

Undetected diabetes may double risk of heart attack, periodontitis

New research finds a link between undetected blood sugar disorders and a heightened risk heart attack and sever gum disease (periodontitis).

Previous studies pointed to a connection between periodontitis(gum disease: A chronic condition that affects the gums and bones that support the teeth) and diabetes

Antibiotics may be an effective treatment option for a tooth infection. However in some cases a dentist may simply be able to drain the infected area, remove the infected tooth or perform a root canal to fix the issue

Dentist tend to avoid recommending antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary, such as when the infection is sever or spreading, or if the person has a weakened immune system

Dental Cavities can trap bacteria that realese unplesant gases. Cavities usually arise due to tooth decay.

Poor oral hygine increase the number of food paticles left in the mouth that can decay

These dental issues can increase the risk of developing plaque that can cause tooth decay and inflame the gums causing a condition called periodontitis.

Make sure to take care of your oral health and have good oral hygiene

Tight jaw muscles can often occur due to stress, anxiety, injury, or overusing the jaw joint. Having tight jaw muscles can also cause pain or discomfort in many other parts of your body such as your head, ear, teeth, neck, eyes and face.

A few causes for tight Jaw Muscles:

* TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
* Stress
* Bruxism (grinding teeth)
* RA (Rheumatiod Arthritis
* Tetanus
* Excessive Chewing

If you feel that you have tight jaw muscles visit your dentist to rule in or out dental issues

If you occasionally encounter an unpleasant smell that is normal. However several conditions including sinusitis, mouth or tooth infections, might cause a bad smell in your nose.

Here are some causes to bad smell in the nose.

* Acute/chronic sinusitis
* Mouth or tooth infections
* Dry mouth
* Some food and drinks
* Medications
* Conditions associated with Hallucinations or olfactory damage.

Although most conditions that causes a bad smell in the nose are not life threatening, but it can negatively impact the quality of life and one should seek medical attention.

Canker Sores are also known as aphthous ulcers and are part of the most common cause of stomatitis. The sores are pale white or yellowish in color with a red outer ring.

Canker sores can develop singly or in a cluster and usually occur on the inside of the lips or cheek, or on the tongue.

Canker sores lead to acute, temporary pain. In minor cases, the ulcers heal within 4-14 days. In more severe cases, which account for about 1 in 10 of all cases of stomatitis, the sores can last up to 6 weeks.

Anyone can get canker sores, although women and people in their teens and 20s are more likely to experience them. They can run in families but are not contagious.

Stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth. It affects the mucous membranes, which are the thin skin coverings on the inside surface of the mouth. The membranes produce the protective mucus, as well as lining the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus.

Stomatitis that reoccurs and includes mouth ulcers is called recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and is the most common disease affecting the mouth area, with around 5-25 percent of the United States population affected in some way.

Question:  I have two cavities one on the top right back and one on the top left back. Will I get two shots or one? Just wondering having to go to the dentist to get them fixed but really do not like getting the numbing shots.

Answer: More then likely you will need to have two shots one on each side of your mouth. In addition sometimes it will take more then one shot on each side to achieve the desired amount of numbness. However before your dentist starts you can ask him/her how many shots he/she is planing to give you so that you can be prepared for them

Question: I chew tobacco however I make sure to brush my teeth like three times a day. I also floss daily and use a strong mouthwash. I am not at the point where I want to stop chewing tobacco but I also do not want bad oral health.

 Answer: If you can you may wish to rethink chewing or start to slowing reducing how much you chew until you are able to quit completely. The side effects of chewing tobacco are many but since we are talking about your teeth here are the side effects related to just your mouth. I say the risk is not worth taking but that is still your choice.

1) Stained teeth
2) Bad breath
3) Sores on the gums and in the mouth that are stubborn to heal
4) Some of the effects on dental health are escalated by the sugar that is added to the tobacco during processing to improve the taste.
5) A higher risk of developing oral cancer

Is There Any Dental Insurance Available for Getting Braces?

Question: I like to get braces but want to get some help with the cost. Is there any dental insurance plan that helps pay for adult braces?

Answer: Yes you can get dental insurance and dental discount plans to help you with the cost of having braces. With respect to dental insurance make sure the plan you want to buy covers not only braces but braces for an adult if you are over the age of 19. In regards to dental discount plans age is not a factor and in general the average discounted saving is around 20% off.

TMJ pain is often the product of tension-producing stress. Simple relaxation exercises can help.

Here are two relaxation exercises:

* Slowly inhale, allowing your stomach rather than your chest to expand. Exhale slowly while making your exhalation last about as long as your inhalation. Repeat 5-10 times.

* While sitting or lying in a comfortably supported position, tense and release tension from each muscle in your body. Begin with the feet and work upwards to the head.

Strengthening exercises are best to perform between TMJ flare-ups. During times of intense pain, they can make the pain worse.

Here are two strengthening exercises:

* Place a thumb under your chin and push your chin downward against it. Continue opening the mouth against moderate force from your thumb, and then hold it open for 5-10 seconds.

* Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can. Put your index finger between your chin and lower lip. Push inward while closing your mouth against the resistance.

The temporomandibular joints open, close, and move the jaw. These joints are under pressure from chewing, talking, and other motions. That means they are also a common source of pain, and muscle and joint problems.

Chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain warrants a trip to the doctor or dentist to assess the cause. Teeth grinding often plays a role, as does a habit of tensing the joint without realizing.