Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

Episode #55: Tonsil Stones, Bad Breath and Grinding, What's the Connection?

Mar 29, 2022

28:12

Like many people, Dr. B is not a fan of the time change. However, as always, he has some great tips on how to cope with the change, resulting in improved sleep and better time management. Join us as we move from this helpful topic, to today’s question about tonsil stones, bad breath, grinding, and how they are all linked! We first learn what tonsil stones are, and how Dr. B recommends managing them without surgery. We hear how the oral microbiome is involved in their formation, and what the products and foods are that you should avoid. We next learn what to expect from a dentist when visiting one for tonsil stones, and why bad breath is the least important concern around them. The benefits of visiting a functional dentist are made clear as Dr. B breaks down how mouth breathing causes dryness, which causes tonsil stones, which then leads to sleep paroxysm, and so much more! You don't want to miss out on this fascinating episode.

Key Points From This Episode:

How Dr. B decided on the format for Ask the Dentist podcasts [0:00:19]
A tip on how to avoid sleep issues when the time change happens [0:01:01]
Today’s questions: “What can I do about tonsil stones, and are clenching and grinding both symptoms of sleep apnea?” [0:02:56]
What tonsil stones are, how they are formed and what your tonsils can tell you [0:04:40]
Why Dr. B recommends holding off on tonsil surgery [0:06:47]
What to look for if you think you have a tonsil stone [0:08:33]
The microbiome of the tonsils, and how it’s linked to tonsil stones [0:10:39]
What you can do to avoid or treat tonsil stones [0:12:41]
When to go see a dentist, and what to expect [0:14:37]
How mouth breathing can cause tonsil stones [0:15:51]
How a dentist can identify mouth breathing [0:18:48]
The food, drinks, and products to avoid when dealing with tonsil stones, and why drinking lots of fluid is important [0:19:25]
What to do about bad breath and why it’s not the biggest issue with tonsil stones [0:20:33]
Dr. B's thoughts on paroxysm, and how to improve the symptoms [0:21:03]
A wrap-up of the episode, and why functional dentistry can help answer a complex question like today’s one [0:23:05]
Where to find out more about functional dentists and dentistry overall [0:25:09]