What are Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are tiny calcifications that form in the crevices of your tonsils. Your tonsils contain folds, gaps, and crevices called tonsillar crypts; these crypts create an ideal space for a clump of debris to form over time. The clump consists of mucus, minerals, food particles, bacteria, and dead cells. Tonsil stones can vary in size and are mostly harmless, but they can cause a variety of symptoms that may convince you to schedule an appointment with your ENT doctor in Nashville.
Tonsil Stone Symptoms
Some tonsil stones are so small that they do not cause any noticeable symptoms. For that reason, you may not even be aware that you have tonsil stones. Your ENT doctor or dentist may discover them during an exam and bring them to your attention.
Most tonsil stones are about the size of a grain of rice, but a tonsil stone can grow as large as a grape. A noticeable tonsil stone will make you feel as if you have something stuck in the back of your throat. You may also notice that you have persistent bad breath and/or a sore throat. If you open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and look in the mirror, you may be able to see the stones; they will appear as white or yellow spots on your tonsils.
Large, well-established tonsil stones can cause swelling/inflammation and/or make it difficult to swallow. Sometimes patients with tonsil stones will report ear pain, and that’s because the tonsils and ears share a common nerve pathway. Other symptoms include red and swollen tonsils and the urge to cough.
What Causes Them?
Your tonsils are oval-shaped lymph nodes located in the back of your mouth and the top of your throat. They are part of your body’s lymphatic system, and they filter out bacteria and prevent germs from entering your body through your mouth and nose. Your tonsils play a crucial role in defending your immune system because they prevent and fight infections.
As helpful as your tonsils are, they can cause problems. You may even know someone who has had their tonsils removed due to sleep apnea, recurring tonsillitis, or another tonsil-related issue.
Tonsil stones form because your tonsils are essentially doing their job and filtering out bacteria and harmful, infection-causing microorganisms. If you have many tonsillar crypts, or have had recurring tonsillitis, these factors increase your chance of developing tonsil stones.
Tonsil Stone Treatment and Removal
Some patients try to remove tonsil stones in the comfort of their own homes. One way to do this is by gargling salt water, which can dislodge the stones. Another method is to use a cotton swab to gently push the stone outward into the mouth so it can be spit out and discarded. A cotton swab isn’t an ideal removal method, however, because your tonsils are delicate and can get infected if scratched. If you use a cotton swab, please exercise caution.
Other options include an apple cider vinegar gargle (which can break down the stone) and a water flosser with the pressure set to low.
One of the best and easiest ways to expel a tonsil stone is to cough. A strong, repeated cough can successfully loosen the stone(s).
If these methods do not work, consult your ENT doctor, who is well-versed in dislodging tonsil stones.
Your ENT doctor may recommend undergoing a tonsillectomy (removal of your tonsils) if your tonsil stones are large, causing you significant pain, causing recurrent tonsil infections, and/or forming frequently. A tonsillectomy is the only way to remove and prevent tonsil stones.
How to Prevent Tonsil Stones?
You can take steps to prevent tonsil stones. These include: brushing and flossing every day; gargling with salt water after meals; drinking plenty of water; and avoiding smoking.
Call our ENT and Allergy Clinic Today!
If you’re looking for an ear, nose, throat doctor in Nashville, please consider Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT). Our highly skilled, compassionate, and dedicated ENT doctors specialize in providing excellent care to patients throughout Middle Tennessee. If you have or suspect that you have tonsil stones, we invite you to learn more about OAT by visiting our website and scheduling an appointment so we can help.
