Tonsil Stones
Tonsil stones were the obvious cause of my bad breath, as I learned while undergoing treatment of chronic tonsillitis., my doctor told me that I had tonsil stones. I had no idea what that was. Were tonsil stones like kidney stones? Were they like gall stones? I learned that they were neither. The disgusting occupants of my enlarged tonsils, that made it hard to swallow and gave me horrible breath were tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are concentrations of white excrescences that develop in the tonsil’s many recesses. The anatomic composition of some people’s tonsils; their size as well as the presence of large crypts, can make people more susceptible to tonsil stones.
The excrescences are made of bacteria, mucous and dead cells that have hardened. This happens most often with folks who, like me, have chronic tonsillitis, and cryptic tonsils. By cryptic I mean tonsils that have pockets or crevices in which particles can accumulate. These are normal in tonsils but some people’s tonsils are more cryptic than others’. This leaves them more susceptible to tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths don’t always present with obvious symptoms, but during my treatment of tonsillitis the doctor did see a white spot on one of my tonsils. I didn’t have the horrible bad breath many people with tonsil stones have. The stench is actually caused by an accumulation of sulfur compounds and most people who have tonsil stones or tonsilloliths have this high level of sulfur in their breath.
The tonsillitis that I suffered from brought sore throats, which is another symptom of tonsil stones, as is difficulty swallowing. I always associated my difficulty in swallowing with the tonsillitis flare ups.
Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths may also manifest symptoms in the form of referred pain in the ear. This means that the ear feels the pain of the tonsil stone, even though it’s nowhere near it. This is because the tonsils and the ears share the same nerve pathways. Another symptom of tonsil stones is swelling. The swollen tonsils can interfere with breathing.
Maybe I did have symptoms of tonsil stones? At any rate, my doctor decided that the tonsils, which had bedeviled me for years, had to go.
Tonsil Stones | What Are Tonsil Stones
There is an amazing amount of information floating around the internet about tonsil stones and their treatment. If you dig into them, you’ll learn that most sites are trying to sell products to mask the symptoms of tonsil stones but profess to be treatments or cures.
Treatments for tonsil stones are actually rather limited. I’ve seen countless videos about removing them. Some recommend downright dangerous methods. Be careful about what you put down your throat. That applies to the elixirs being hawked on the internet as well. Read the ingredients carefully and don’t waste money on a product that is probably no better for your throat, maybe much worse, than a simple solution of warm saltwater. Gargling with warm saltwater of dissolved baking soda is an inexpensive, safe home remedy for all manner of throat irritations and bad breath. Most internet marketers won’t tell you this. How much money could they make selling a box of Arm and Hammer baking soda?
Short of tonsillectomy surgery, it’s doubtful that these over the counter treatments will be successful in long term treatment of tonsil stones.
If you have a success story about tonsil stones treatment, please post it under comments and questions section below. We want your your input! Thanks, Greg
Tonsillectomy
More photos of Tonsil Stones at Tonsil Stones Pictures
I had tonsil stones for three months straight sometimes they were small and sometimes they were big all i really cared abut was that they were disgusting and i hated sticking my finger down my thought to fish them out every time i felt one in there, its such a relief when they come out but next thing i knew i was trying to hack anther one out. I got my tonsils out on the 9th and i cant wait till im recovered and dont have to worry about another tonsil stone for as long as i live, the surgery sux but not as bad as constant tonsil stones
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I did have my tonsils removed for tonsil stones and constant strep throat. I can not imagine pushing those stones out myself! Thank goodness they never gave me bad breath but sometimes I would be just going about my day and a stone would just fall out into my mouth! The tonsillectomy solved everything!
Hello. I have had tonsil stones on and off for 20 years. I’ve become proficient at removing them with my finger tip, but have always tried to hack them out, contorting my neck in different ways to see if anything would work. Recently, feeling frustrated, I pulled my jaw back into my neck as far as I could so it didn’t look like I had a chin, pulled my shoulders back as though I was trying to touch my shoulders behind me and gave a hack from as low in my throat as I could – and guess what?! It worked. I’ve been able replicate this several times. I’ve never had a lot, or really large ones, but it might be something worth trying – in privacy of course, cuz it does look pretty funny in front of the mirror. I checked this site because I am a violent snorer and looking at all of the issues regarding snoring.
Just brought my 19 year old son home from his tonsillectomy. Thank you for all your information on how to manage his recovery. I just can’t believe his tonsils got this bad without someone catching on. He has sleep apnea, bad breath, sore throats several times a year, ear pain, tmj and snores horrendously! I feel so badly that he has no idea what it is like to feel good! I am hoping this will improve his quality of life. It better…this is how he is spending his college spring break!
I am so glad I found this site! I have tonsil stones pretty often, and some of the bacteria accumulates in pockets that are deep inside of my tonsils. I have to squeeze my tonsils in order to get everything out. The last “stone” that I removed was the size of a dehydrated pea.
I am having a T&A next week, and I can’t wait! The information on this site has been very helpful in the prep process. Fortunately, my doctor has also been preparing me well and I already have the scripts and post-op care suggestions in my possession (to read while I am coherent). Many thanks for compiling everything into one place.
Hi Kelly- Glad you’ve gotten benefit from the site. Best of luck to you next week!
Hi, is that the only reason you are having your tonsils removed, because of the stones? I have been considering it, but I didn’t know if my doctor would remove them just for that.
Hi Greg — Thanks!
Hi Sara — The stones were the deciding factor. I am on antibiotics several times per year for a throat infection, and at least once per year need steroids for kissing tonsils (my tonsils swell to the point that they meet in the middle and I have a hard time eating and breathing). The doc would never take out my tonsils, saying it was pretty risky for an adult. For almost 2 years I have had tonsil stones to go along with everything else. The stones have sparked more infections and throat problems over the past couple of years. I have 40 – 50 years or more left of living, and can’t do this for several more decades. So, I asked to have my tonsils removed. The doc was still hesitant and we tried 4 more months of “let’s try this” plans before agreeing they needed to come out. It may have been the “I’m now using a cuticle pusher to get some of the deep stones out” statement, and the pictures I started taking of the stones that came out of my throat (I used measuring tape), that helped them decide! I do not recommend using a cuticle pusher. I am a bit anxious about the first week or so post-op, but really know this will be worth it in the long run.
Wow! I am so sorry you are having to go through all of that. I will be praying for you, and I wish you the best!
Thank you for your kind words. It’s been a tough road, but after 20 years of tonsil problems I am looking forward to this. My doctor did mention that if the stones were only in one or two places, and I didn’t have the other problems I do, he’d have simply cut out the spot where the stones were forming. If you only have a spot or two where stones form, perhaps this alternative may be available to you.
Sara,
I had mine removed for just tonsil stones. The doctor had no issue with it. I told him it was socially debilitating.
Jim, was it successful in removing all symptoms of Tonsil stones, mainly bad breath?
Jully
Is is necessary to get your tonsils removed just because you have tonsil stones? They give me horrible breath, and it is causing intimate problems between my husband and I.
Wow, is that what you had too? I never had alot of stones (like the photo above). I found one about 20 years ago and from that day forward, I became an expert at removing them. That lead for me to start looking for them. Most of the time, there was no visible stone at all but I could feel it and taste it. Sure enough, when I started poking around, one would pop out. I have several other friends who have them too. I’ve heard them say, I haven’t seen a stone in years . . . yeah neither did I but they were still in there.
I don’t miss tonsil stones ONE BIT!