Millions of people suffer from tonsil stones each year, although the condition remains largely unknown to the general public. If you’ve been experiencing chronic mouth pain or unexplained sore throats and earaches, you may have tonsil stones, so it’s important to know what they are, how you can prevent them from forming, and how to get rid of them should you develop them. This article will tell you everything you need to know about tonsil stones and how to treat them as quickly and effectively as possible.
Tonsil stones are calcified deposits that form inside pits (also known as ‘crypts‘) across the surface of someone’s tonsils. Usually, they are made up of food debris and calcified bacteria. Most tonsil stones are yellow, white, or brown in colour and can vary in size. A tonsil stone’s size often depends upon how long someone has had it.
Tonsil stones are also known as ‘tonsilloliths.’ While these stones are mostly harmless, they can cause various issues, including bad breath, pain, and recurring infections. Due to the easy access to your throat, mucous, and respiratory system, the tonsils are a convenient place for bacteria to hide and multiply, resulting in these mineralised deposits.
Are Tonsil Stones Normal?
Tonsil stones are usually small (1mm to 2mm in size). Like tartar, tonsil stones are calcified bacterial buildup. They are not necessarily harmful, and many people have tonsil stones without even knowing it.
The truth is tonsil stones are very common and not a major health risk. They can, however, become an issue if they are causing unwanted side effects or discomfort or are extremely large in size.
If you have large pits or ‘crypts’ in your tonsils, which may be due to frequent sore throats or other infections, it can predispose you to tonsil stones. These openings across the surface of your tonsils easily trap food debris and bacteria, creating the perfect environment for a tonsil stone to form.
Although tonsil stones are different from tartar buildup on teeth, you can think of them as being semi-related to one another. Both are made up of calcified bacteria, both accumulate in hard-to-clean spaces, and both cause oral irritation and bad breath until they’re removed.
Tonsil Stones Causes
Repeated tonsillitis and throat infections, poor oral hygiene, and dry mouth (xerostomia) can increase your chances of getting tonsil stones. Because of the combination of bacteria, pitted tonsils, and lack of saliva flow, debris easily accumulates inside the tonsil ‘crypts,’ where it slowly calcifies into these rock-like deposits.
It isn’t necessarily your fault if you have tonsil stones, as some factors may be beyond your control. However, improved hygiene and working with your healthcare provider to address chronic throat infections can help reduce your risk of getting recurring tonsil stones.
Because constant throat infections create scarring and crypts across the surface of the tonsils, these recurring health conditions can predispose certain people to develop tonsil stones. In contrast, individuals who do not have tonsil scarring or pits across their tonsils are less likely to see these issues.
Tonsil Stones Symptoms
A lot of people with tonsil stones don’t know they have them. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to talk with your doctor about getting your tonsils checked out for bacteria buildup or infection:
- Sore throat
- Persistent bad breath
- Chronic postnasal drip
- Ear pain
- White patches on your tonsils
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Tonsillitis
- Cough
- Pitted tonsils
- Bumps on your tonsils
Unless tonsil stones are treated, the constant presence of bacteria will put you at an increased risk for throat infections.
In most cases, teens are the most likely to develop tonsil stones. Often because of chronic throat infections paired with inadequate oral hygiene. If you or your teen has a tendency to consistently suffer from a cough, sore throat, or strep throat, there is an increased chance that you might also be more prone to developing tonsil stones.
Tonsil Stones Treatment
Good oral hygiene is important to prevent tonsil stones, as it reduces the number of bacteria present throughout your mouth. However, other steps can also be helpful, such as gargling warm salt water, irrigating your tonsil crypts with a water flosser (if comfortable enough) and avoiding things like alcohol or tobacco products, which naturally dry out your mouth.
If you have a sensitive gag reflex, treating tonsil stones on your own may be more challenging. However, good oral hygiene and gargling are typically doable for almost everyone.
Some people are able to dislodge their tonsil stones with a cotton swab by applying direct pressure to their tonsils. As you press on the tonsil next to the stone, it should slowly work its way out of the tonsillar crypt. However, this only works if you do not have a sensitive gag reflex. Avoid using your finger, as it’s possible that your nail may scratch your tonsil and cause additional infection or pain. For the same reason, avoid using your toothbrush to clean your tonsils.
While surgical removal of tonsil stones is sometimes necessary, it is highly uncommon for this procedure to be necessary. Most tonsil stones can be managed through non-surgical intervention. If your physician deems it necessary to remove your tonsils because of chronic recurring infections, a tonsillectomy may be best.
Even though tonsil stones do not usually cause significant health problems, large ones can be incredibly bothersome. Always speak to your physician or dentist to discuss whether professional removal is needed.
Know When to See a Dentist
The best way to prevent tonsil stones is by regularly scheduling a checkup and clean for dental hygiene maintenance and tonsil stone prevention. Because your dental team has a firsthand look at oral bacterial levels, these visits can help lower your chances of new or recurring tonsil stones. Additionally, your dentist can visually examine your mouth to screen for tonsil stones during your appointment.
If you’re concerned that you may have tonsil stones, consider contacting our dental team at Hawthorn Road Family Dental today.
