Tonsil stones, also referred to as tonsilloliths, are hard, small white or yellow lumps that form on the tonsils. While they are not a sign of a serious medical problem, these stones can cause some unpleasant symptoms and, in rare cases, become an issue that requires further medical attention.
Let’s take a closer look at why tonsil stones develop, as well as what you can do to prevent and treat them.
How Tonsil Stones Form
Your tonsils are small oval tissues at each side of the back of your throat. They work as a part of your immune system to help filter bacteria and viruses that enter through your mouth.
Tonsils consist of folds and crevices known as tonsillar crypts. Sometimes, debris can get caught in these crypts and harden or calcify, forming tonsil stones. This debris can include:
- Bacteria or fungi
- Minerals like calcium
- Food particles
Who Is At Risk For Developing Tonsil Stones
Though anyone can develop tonsil stones, certain things may make them more likely. These include:
- Age. Teenagers are more likely to develop tonsil stones.
- Size of tonsillar crypts. If you have larger crypts or a greater number of them, it’s more likely debris can get caught and stones can form.
- Infection history. People with a history of tonsil infections are also more likely to develop tonsil stones.
How Common Are Tonsil Stones?
Pretty common. 2014 examined the prevalence of tonsil stones in the dental X-rays of 1,524 patients between the ages of 9 and 87 and found that 8.14% had at least one tonsil stone.
Common Symptoms
Not everyone who has tonsil stones experiences symptoms. However, if they do, common symptoms include:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Sore throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Feeling as though something is stuck in your throat
- Pain in your ear
- Small, white patches on your tonsils
Prevention Methods
You can help prevent tonsilloliths by:
- Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, including brushing your tongue
- Staying hydrated
- Gargling with warm salt water after eating
- Quitting smoking
Treating Tonsil Stones
If you already have tonsil stones, you can often remove them yourself at home by doing one or several of the following:
- Gargling with salt water
- Purchasing a water pick at Family Plaza Pharmacy or another local Utah store and using it to dislodge the stones
- Using a cotton swab to move the stones. Be careful when doing this, though, and do not use your finger or toothbrush or anything that could scratch your tonsils.
- Others have found that tonsil stones come out after coughing.
Is Surgery Ever Necessary For Tonsil Stones?
In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to remove the stones if they are especially large, causing pain or other problems, contributing to recurring tonsil infections.
A tonsillectomy may also be recommended if the stones keep coming back and you have repeated infections.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to have your symptoms evaluated, contact South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today.