But what are these things, and what causes tonsil stones in the first place? Also called tonsilloliths, tonsil stones are small, whitish, rounded specks that can be found in the back of your throat, often tucked into the folds of your tonsils or adenoids. They can be tough to see without any visual aid. To look for tonsil stones in your own mouth, open your mouth in front of a mirror and say "Ahhh. Most tonsilloliths are just one or two millimeters across, so look hard!
If you spot any, don't be shocked. The most common signs and symptoms are bad breath, throat irritation, swelling and a whitish node or bump on your tonsil.
Bad breath and throat irritation can also be signs of tonsillitis. However, tonsillitis is caused by viruses or bacteria and generally causes red, inflamed tonsils as well as fever, headache and other symptoms.
People with lots of crevices, or crypts, in their tonsils are more susceptible to tonsil stones. Although they are more common in teens, anyone with tonsils can get them.
Tonsils stones develop from food and other substances that get stuck in the tonsils. The best way to prevent them is to keep your tonsils free of debris.
Osborne recommends brushing your teeth and tongue thoroughly and gargling with salt water after eating to help prevent any buildup. Water picks help to flush out the mouth as well, which may help dislodge tonsil stones near the surface.
Many people self-treat tonsil stones at home, removing them with a toothbrush or cotton swab. While a tonsillectomy is the most effective way to prevent tonsil stones from forming, there are potentially serious risks to be aware of when considering this option. For one thing, a tonsillectomy requires general anesthesia, and it can involve a great deal of pain that may last for weeks, says Thatcher. And, as with any surgery, there is a risk of bleeding and infection.
Because surgeons are able to do this procedure at a lower temperature than with laser tonsil cryptolosis, there is lower risk of certain complications. Be sure to: Brush your teeth and floss regularly. Keeping your mouth clean and removing food particles can play an important role in preventing tonsil stones from flourishing by reducing the amount of materials and bacteria in your mouth that may contribute to tonsil stone growth. Brush your teeth after meals, as well as in the morning after you wake up and before bed.
Floss daily. In addition to brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, gargling water in the back of your throat after eating as well as after brushing teeth and flossing can also help clear away debris and food particles to prevent buildup of material that leads to tonsil stones, Setlur says.
Gargling with salt water may provide additional benefit by helping reduce any swelling in the area and prevent buildup of food or other materials, Kezirian says. Lifestyle choices can affect tonsil stone formation, too.
To help prevent stones you can also: Stop smoking. Anything that causes inflammation in the mouth or throat, such as smoking, can irritate the tonsils, which can set the stage for worsening of crypts and increased risk of tonsil stones.
Avoid sugary drinks. Steer clear of beverages that are high in sugar, such as juice and sodas, as they may act as a nutrient source for bacteria, helping it accumulate in the tonsils, Kezirian says. PBS Nova Watch a two-minute video from the PBS show Nova to see what a tonsil stone looks like, how common they are, and what you can do to get rid of them. MouthHealthy MouthHealthy features information about dental and oral health and is produced by the ADA for the general public.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Mayo Clinic. October 14, Cleveland Clinic. March 21, Tonsillolith: A Panoramic Radiograph Presentation. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. October Krespi YP, Kizhner V. February 8, Chang C, Thrasher R.
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Natural remedies Symptoms photos Precautions Summary We include products we think are useful for our readers. Overview Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are calcified masses that can form on your palatine tonsils.
There are three types of tonsils: palatine — on the sides of your throat pharyngeal — at the back of your throat lingual — found at the back, or base, of your tongue What most people call their tonsils are the palatine tonsils, which you can see at the back of your mouth or top of your throat.
Some complications caused by tonsil stones may include: swelling feeling of an obstruction at the top of your throat foul smell and bad breath from the infection that increases over time difficulty breathing if they become big enough to block the airway pain when swallowing, eating, or drinking.
How to remove tonsil stones at home. Signs you may have tonsil stones. Tonsil stone photos. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Peritonsillar Abscess. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.
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