Dental Problems

Those with strong stomachs may have watched the videos making the rounds of people who have tonsil stones. What are tonsil stones you ask? They're smelly, little white globs of who knows what that get built up in the, well, pockets of tonsils. Those with weaker stomachs can skip the videos and head right for the info below. And those with maybe a little tendency toward hypochondria will be glad to know tonsil stones are probably no big deal, even if they're gross.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Now that we're all supposed to be wearing masks, we've all become keenly aware of something: our breath. And guess what? It doesn't always smell good.

By Cherise Threewitt

Never heard of tonsil stones? They're nasty little stones that can form in your throat. So should you freak out if you have them?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

A tooth infection may seem like little more than an inconvenience, but it could actually be doing some serious damage.

By Alia Hoyt & Sara Elliott

If you're worried you have bad breath it might be for good reason. You can't smell your own breath so it might be hard to tell — until it's too late.

By Jennifer Sellers

If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, someone is likely to ask, "Wait, don't you get that from pigs?" No, that's hoof and mouth. So what exactly is hand, foot and mouth disease?

By Katie Lambert

Mouth cancer can be a vicious, sometimes-fatal attack on the body. Knowing what to look for, what to avoid and when to seek medical help is crucial in stemming the disease.

By Brion O'Connor

From infection to insufficient bone mass, there are a number of issues that can arise with dental implants. Are you prepared?

By Brion O'Connor

Some people enjoy a dry sense of humor, and there are those who like a dry glass of wine. But dry mouth is one thing you probably hope to avoid. So what is it exactly?

By Kevin P. Allen

Gum disease, gingivitis, tooth decay -- they're all related. We'll explain how to avoid them here.

By Terri Briseno

Gingivitis is an oral health problem that, if left untreated, can lead to painful gum disease. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to treat -- and is totally preventable.

By Bambi Turner

Plaque is a nasty bugger that likes to hang out on our teeth. And without proper dental hygiene, it can cause serious damage to those pearly whites.

By Terri Briseno

We've all seen toothpaste and mouthwash commercials warning us of the dangers of gingivitis. But can we actually catch gum disease from other people?

By Maria Trimarchi

Nicknamed for soldiers at war, trench mouth, though increasingly rare, continues to affect people in underdeveloped countries.

By Chris Opfer

Sore gums can be a pain in the you-know-what, especially if you have no clue what's causing it. We'll give you some clues to what's causing that throbbing here.

By Terri Briseno

There are multiple reasons you may have a metallic taste in your mouth. It's a fairly common complaint, and it could be anything from a side effect of pregnancy to a symptom of eating poisoned fish.

By Natalie Kilgore

Did your mom ever tell you that too much candy could cause your teeth to fall out? Would you be happy to know that's not entirely true? Let's explore this and other dental myths.

By Caitlin Uttley

Tooth loss lead to costly dental treatments and detract from your physical appearance. But can it mean you have a disease?

By Jennifer Sellers

It may not matter when you're popping pills to dull the pain, but all cavities are not created equal. In fact, there's an entire classification system designed to tell dentists just how serious your cavity is.

By Stephanie Watson

You want to share that winsome smile with the world -- but you can't because your gums are black or darker than average. Don't worry, though: In many cases, there is hope.

By Marie Willsey

Gum disease: It's not pretty, but can it actually kill you? We break down the dangers of letting plaque run rampant.

By Maria Trimarchi

Once a cavity starts, it sets off a chain of events that can eventually destroy an entire tooth. What can you do to prevent that result, and does it always have to involve a drill?

By Tom Scheve

A decaying tooth might not be your fault, but that doesn’t mean it won’t fall out anyway. What do you do then?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Macrodontia causes teeth to grow abnormally large. We'll explain this rare dental anomaly here.

By Terri Briseno

Tooth enamel may be the hardest tissue our bodies produce, but it still wears away. How? Lots of ways.

By Terri Briseno