What Are Tonsil Stones?

Learn what you can do about that buildup of bacteria in your tonsils.

Think of your tonsils as glandular traps. These traps guard the inside of your body, by catching incoming bacteria and viruses passing through your mouth and down your throat.

Like sponges, they have holes and crevices. When bacteria, food particles, mucous, and dead skin and cells become trapped, they clump together into a tonsil stone.

Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, begin as soft, white clumps that might not even be visible. Over time, however, they can calcify and harden into stones. In either form, they are generally harmless, but their presence can signal more serious health issues, such as infection, tonsillitis and poor oral hygiene.

Symptoms of a tonsil stone include:

• Bad breath
• Visible white matter, caught within the tonsil’s folds
• Ear pain
• Swollen tonsils
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing, especially if the stone is large
• Pain, when the outside of the throat is touched

In some cases, you may see white gelled clumps in your tonsils but have no symptoms at all.

Removing tonsil stones

In most cases, removing a tonsil stone can be done at home. Using a cotton swab, gently push on the tonsil, behind the stone, to force the stone out. Vigorous coughing and gargling can dislodge stones, as well. Once the stone is out, gargle with salt water, to remove any remaining bacteria.

For larger stones that won’t budge, or if you have symptoms of a tonsil stone but don’t see one in your throat, it’s time to consult a doctor.

Procedures for removing stubborn tonsil stones include:

• Saltwater gargles
• Numbing your throat, so that the doctor can manually remove the stone
• An outpatient visit, to remove the stone
• Tonsillectomy to permanently remove the tonsils and, therefore, eliminate tonsil stones altogether

Manual removal and saltwater gargles are generally used to manage tonsil stones. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for more acute flare ups. Your doctor will evaluate whether surgery, such as a tonsillectomy, is a treatment option.

Preventing tonsil stones

The only proven way to prevent tonsil stones is to remove your tonsils, but you can reduce their occurrence by intensifying your oral hygiene routine. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily, gargle with an antiseptic or saltwater and drink water after eating, to flush away any food remaining in your throat. Smoking may also be a culprit, so consider quitting.

If your tonsil stones are painful, or if you’re concerned that they may signal a more serious medical condition, consult with a medical professional.

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