Tonsil Stones Treatment
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are fairly common in adults. Tonsil stones are caused by the accumulation of bacteria and debris that become lodged in tonsils, particularly in the crypts or crevices of the tonsils. This usually leads to bad breath. I’ve had so many questions about tonsil stones treatment lately, I felt that it was worth digging into.
Dr. Murray Grossman has invented an amazing little machine to assist in the removal of tonsil stones. He calls it the Hydro Pulse
The composition of these tonsilloliths is a mix of calcium, debris and bacteria. High sulfur content is probably the cause of the associated bad breath, or halitosis. Tonsil stones are not always readily apparent. Many people that suffer from bad breath don’t realize that the source of their bad breath might be tonsil stones. They are not always visible, since they become logged in crypts within the tonsils. Sadly, many of the people around tonsil stone sufferers are more aware of the problem than the affected individual.
Researching the subject on the internet will likely yield several pages of home remedies for tonsil stones treatment. You can even find videos of individuals picking them out of their throats with foreign objects. Reliable information about the causes, symptoms, and treatments is like tip-toeing through a neighborhood park where people come form miles away to walk their dogs. No one seems to be cleaning up after these information dogs. The level of tonsil stones treatment spam is overwhelming.
I’ve consulted with Otolaryngologists and researched reputable sites like the Journal Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Shoving things down your throat, squeezing your tonsils and expensive gadgets were not recommended tonsil stones treatment. Tonsil stones can go away on their own in many cases. Good oral hygiene seems to be the preferred approach to minimizing or eliminating tonsilloliths. Gargling with salt water a few times per day can go a long way to removing and preventing the tonsil stones.
Recurrent tonsillitis may also increase the risk of tonsil stones. A study in the British Dental Journal found that in all, 75 patients that had tonsillitis had tonsil stones. The question of cause or effect comes into question. Do these bouts of tonsillitis make people more susceptible to the stones? Do these stones make tonsils more vulnerable to inflammation and infection of the tonsils? It’s the old chicken or the egg question. I would suggest that, in many cases, both tonsil stones and tonsillitis are a factor of the anatomy of the tonsils. Large tonsils with many crevices or crypts are simply more apt to become infected by a number of bacterial, viral, and or organic invaders. While good oral hygiene may reduce these problems, sometimes tonsil stones treatment is necessary. Obviously a throat without tonsils is less likely to succumb to tonsil stones or tonsillitis. Also obvious is the fact that surgery is more invasive, expensive, and carries more risks. Other methods of combating tonsil stones are usually recommended as a first line tonsil stones treatment.
If you think that you have tonsilloliths, try gargling with warm salt water three times per day. If this doesn’t help see your doctor or, better yet, an Otolaryngologist. Hope this helps. Take care, -Greg My short bio
I just moved from Atlanta, where I left behind an excellent job. I haven’t been able to find one for the past four months, therefore I have no insurance. My tonsil stones have become overwhelming. I’m taking out huge stones every day. They make my tonsils so sore and cause bad breath all the time. I constantly keep a mint in my mouth. I’m 24 and scared to have them out as an adult. I’m also afraid of the cost. Any suggestions?
I posted in one of the other tonsil forums that I learned as a child that I could use the tip of my tongue to remove the tonsil stones. It took a bit of work and practice to be able to do it, but I never gave up and it paid off. My very enlarged angry tonsils shrank down to normal size after several years of periodically removing the stones! I only get the stones once in a while now as an adult, and just keep pushing them out with my tongue to remove them. That way I don’t have to use my fingers. This is awesome and it really works! But again, you have to practice to get your tongue back there.
I do the same exact thing. But I’m getting my tonsils out in December.
I used to get tonsil stones. They absolutely stunk and would fall out an random times of the day. I got them as I had tonsillitis years ago and it scarred my tonsils. I’m on day 3 and although it’s uncomfortable and looks like something out of predator back there… It’s all worth it. No more smelly breath! No more tonsil stones!!! 🙂
Oh forgot to say… I’m on day 3 after having them removed!!
I just had my tonsils removed on July 2nd for tonsil stones, my tonsils were constantly swollen with them and quite painful I am looking forward to being free of these smelly pain inducing stones. I would say my current pain to be worth it.
I suffered terribly with tonsil stones. I had maybe 8-10 a day. each time I removed them they were there even if I took them out at night by the following morning they were back. At first I didn’t know what they were because I would see one then it would be gone, I thought they were a sore or something. Gradually the crypts got bigger and bigger to the stage where I couldn’t see the stones until I lifted flap and there they all were. The taste in my mouth gave it away if they were there anyway 4 days ago I had surgery. Right now I am wondering what on earth have I done BUT i couldn’t cope with taking these things out everyday, I have been doing it for 4 years! So I hope this is all worth it. At the moment I am just trying to survive each minute. I hope I can look back here soon and have good news. This page is very helpful Thank you
I hope everything went well. How are you now?
I’m doing well, thanks for asking. I took someone’s advice on here and stopped eating late at night so that really helped. I probably started getting tonsil stones when I was 5 years old and almost drowned in a canal of irrigation water. That started my first bout of tonsillitis and have had problems ever since. I don’t have health insurance so having them removed is not an option right now so I am just looking for more ways to better manage them.
Take care, thanks and have a great day
Paulie