Why You Keep Getting Tonsil Stones and How to Prevent Them

Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) build up in the tonsils when unwanted debris and bacteria are collected in the tonsils. These stones are small but hard lumps that get stuck in the nooks of your tonsils. Tonsil stones are usually small and are more common in adults than in children.

Tonsils are gland-like structures which are present in the back of your throat. They are made of tissues with lymphocytes which trap bacteria and viruses that come in through your throat. However, when the nooks and crannies of these tonsils are filled with bacteria, dead cells and mucus, this together can result in unwanted debris. Tonsil stones form when this debris hardens. These stones are white or yellow and you may have one or many tonsil stones.

Causes of Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones are hard in texture and are usually about the size of a grain of rice. According to healthcare experts, tonsil stones are most common in people who have repeated tonsillitis (tonsil infection) or long-term inflammation in their tonsils. Also, people who have more tonsillar crypts are at a high risk of getting tonsil stones. When the trapped material hardens or calcifies in the tonsils, they form tonsil stones. The trapped material may include minerals such as calcium, food, bacteria, debris or fungi.

Sometimes the tonsil stones are not painful and may not cause any symptoms. However, it is extremely important to know the symptoms of tonsil stones, so that you can get them treated without causing any further complications.

Symptoms of Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones may not cause any noticeable symptoms and sometimes, even large tonsil stones can be found only after X-rays or CT scans.

Some of the common symptoms of tonsil stones are listed below −

• Bad Breath − It’s one of the main signs of tonsil stones which is also known as halitosis. This may come along with a tonsil infection. Sometimes people with long-term tonsillitis may have volatile sulphur compounds which can cause bad breath. Researchers have found that the majority of the people who have unusually high amounts of such compounds, may have tonsil stones.

• Sore Throat − If you get tonsil stones and tonsillitis together, it may be difficult to identify the cause of the pain in your throat. However, tonsil stones might develop a sore throat and give you discomfort.

• Cough − Tonsil stones may irritate your throat and make you cough.

• Trouble While Swallowing − Tonsil stones depending on their location may cause difficulty in swallowing food or liquids

• Ear Pain − Because of shared nerve pathways, tonsil stones may give you ear pain even though the stone is not touching your ear.

Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms, you may also experience a bad taste in your mouth, a feeling that something is stuck in your throat, small white patches on your tonsils and small white or yellow stones while spitting.

You can diagnose tonsil stones at home when you do a physical examination of your throat by looking inside your mouth and throat. Additionally, you can perform an imaging scan if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms but the stones are not visible easily. Your dentist can also spot them during a dental exam.

How to Avoid Tonsil Stones?

Sometimes the surface of the tonsils can be irregular and one of the best ways to prevent tonsil stones from forming is to maintain good oral hygiene. You can adopt these easy oral hygiene steps to avoid developing tonsil stones −

• Use toothpaste with fluoride.

• Brush your teeth twice every day and floss your tongue each day.

• Limit your alcohol intake and tobacco consumption.

• Replace your toothbrush every three months. In the case of an electric toothbrush, make sure to replace the head of an electric toothbrush every three months.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Limit your intake of foods with sugar.

• Have a dental check-up at least once a year or as your dentist suggests.

• People having a problem with dry mouth can chew sugar-free gum which can stimulate saliva flow in the mouth.

How to Prevent Tonsil Stones from Coming Back?

If you have experienced tonsil stones in the past or are prone to developing tonsil stones, you may adopt certain preventive measures. These may help in preventing tonsil stones from returning.

Gargling

Gargle your mouth with warm salt water as this may help dislodge tonsil stones. Gargling may also reduce bacteria in the mouth and help clean out debris before stones form. You can either use mouthwash or water, the act of gargling flushes out germs and is thus one of the beneficial preventive measures.

Use Mouthwash and a Water Flosser

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce oral bacteria and plaque. According to the ADA, a mouthwash should contain active ingredients like fluoride, peroxide, cetylpyridinium chloride and some essential oils. Also, if the mouthwash has all the active ingredients and contains chlorhexidine which is only available with a prescription, it may be beneficial for reducing bad breath, tooth decay and gingivitis.

A water flosser can also be helpful to reduce plaque and remove food debris from between the teeth. This handheld device sprays water into the mouth and removes food debris. It’s good for people who may find using dental floss difficult due to some orthodontic appliances like braces.

How to Treat Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones can range in size from 1 millimetre to 1 centimetre in diameter. Doctors may recommend considering tonsil removal for people suffering from severe and recurring tonsil stones. Tonsillectomy is a procedure which can take at least two weeks of moderate pain and is considered one of the best tonsil removal procedures. Your doctor may also suggest going for laser tonsil cryptolysis which removes the tonsil crypts and resurface the troublesome areas in the throat. Another surgical option is coblation cryptolysis which utilizes radio frequency and smooths out crevices in the tonsils.

If you have a problem with recurring tonsil stones and you are in a profession which requires constant interaction with people or staying near people, tonsil stones may be an obstacle in your profession. Additionally, frequent tonsil stones may augment your risk of tonsillitis. You can discuss the benefits and complications of tonsil removal or tonsil stones treatment with your healthcare provider and decide accordingly.

Some tonsil stones may not have symptoms and may not require special treatment. These stones may be cured with antibiotics, but the medications can have side effects. You can also remove tonsil stones at home by scraping them gently with water picks or swabs. You can seek help from an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) to discuss the surgical options or easy home remedies.

Conclusion

Tonsil stones are small lumps of calcified or hardened material formed on the tonsils in the back of your throat. They may not cause serious health problems and can be prevented with saltwater gargles and maintaining oral hygiene. Some tonsil stones may not show symptoms or may not reoccur once treated. However, if the issue is recurring, you may need to remove your tonsils or treat the tonsil stones as advised by the healthcare provider.