How to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones ?

So you want to know how to get rid of tonsil stones?
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know!

Are you sick and tired of coughing up those disgusting yellow chunks ? Tonsil stones can be an annoying problem. Not everyone gets tonsil stones, but if you’re one of the unlucky few struggling with them, then you may be desperate for a solution.

Fortunately, there is hope!

Effective treatment for tonsil stones exists and it’s easier than you think. Here’s what you need to know to get rid of your tonsil stones and keep them from coming back.

 

Tonsil Stones: A “Growing” Problem

 

First of all, you might be wondering where tonsil stones even come from in the first place.

Tonsil stones are calcifications of bacteria and cellular debris. They are soft deposits that grow on your tonsils in areas where bacteria and other materials collect and then solidify with minerals from your saliva such as calcium and phosphate. Tonsil stones are also called “plugs” that clog the tiny holes, or crypts, on your tonsils.

Tonsil Stones Anatomy

Tonsil stones may show up due to frequent cases of tonsillitis or poor oral hygiene, but they are primarily due to the shape and texture of your tonsils. Over time, tonsil stones can become large and firm unless you get rid of them quickly.

Just how common are these stones?

One study concluded that 5.05% of the patients they examined presented with tonsil stones. But a separate study found that the prevalence was 8.14%.

Graphic Examinated Patients of Tonsil Stones

Both of these studies surveyed a limited amount of people.

There are still many individuals who don’t even know they have tonsil stones or who never have their condition reported to a doctor. Most likely, tonsil stones affect closer to one in ten people.

Yes, having tonsil stones is a common ailment and it may be getting even more common.

It could very well be that tonsil stones are affecting more people these days since there are more people who still have their tonsils and more people relying on prescription medications which contribute to dry mouth and bacterial growth.

 

Signs You May Have Tonsil Stones

 

Are you not sure whether or not you have tonsil stones?

Some of the most common signs of tonsil stones include:

  • Bad taste in your mouth
  • Bad breath that won’t go away
  • People turning away from you or avoiding talking with you completely (a sign your breath stinks)
  • A sensation that something is stuck in your throat
  • Noticing white spots or lumps around your tonsils
  • Coughing up small yellowish lumps that smell terrible
  •  

Safe Ways to Remove Tonsil Stones

 

Once you know that you have tonsil stones that are negatively impacting your life, you want to find an effective solution for getting rid of them.

 

Don’t use those tools

Q Tip

Tempting though it may be to try prying out tonsil stones with sharp tools, toothpicks, and cotton buds, you should avoid doing those things.

Your tonsils are made up of a delicate tissue that’s loaded with blood vessels. You can easily injure your tonsils and even trigger an infection if you poke around with a sharp object.

 

Don’t gargle with apple cider vinegar

Apple Vinegar

You can try to dissolve tonsil stones by gargling with apple cider vinegar, but the acidity can be damaging to tooth enamel.

You’ll likely find that just swishing with plain water is enough to loosen the stones. You can also try rinsing with salt water to soothe sore tonsils at the same time.

How else can you get rid of these gross foul-smelling lumps on your tonsils?

There are better options that are both gentler and more effective.

 

Tonsil Stone Removal Water Flosser

 

Coughing vigorously can clear your throat of the unwanted tonsil stones. Another alternative would be to use an Oravix water flosser or water syringe to cleanse your tonsils of debris.

To know more, you can consult our complete guides (with tips from dental experts!) about how to choose the best water flosser and how to use a water flosser for tonsil stones safely and effectively.

 

Oravix Water Syringe

 

Tonsil Stone Remover Kit

 

For more controlled removal, you might try a specialized Oravix tonsil stone remover tool. Such a device is safer than other objects that aren’t designed for sensitive tonsil tissue and will make it easy to locate and remove tonsil stones.

Using a tonsil stone extractor gives you greater peace of mind that you can remove the stones without worrying about accidentally swallowing them.

Tonsil Stone Remover Tool

How to Treat Tonsil Stones

You would like to get rid of your tonsil stone problem once and for all.

 

What are your treatment options?

 

Some people resort to having their tonsils removed altogether. When there are no tonsils, there’s no place for tonsil stones to grow. But most doctors strongly discourage removing your tonsils unnecessarily. If you have a tonsillectomy, there are risks of anesthesia complications or infection. Tonsil stones don’t usually justify taking those risks.

 

Tonsillectomy Surgery

 

What about antibiotic treatment?

 

If you have a chronic case of bacterial tonsillitis (which may also result in tonsil stones), then your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. But antibiotics aren’t appropriate for all cases of infected tonsils since up to 70% of cases of tonsillitis are caused by viruses that don’t respond to antibiotics.

Anti Biotic

 

Several studies on halitosis suggest that it’s better to treat cases of bad breath from your tonsils (which usually comes from tonsil stones) in a more conservative way than having a tonsillectomy.

How about surgical tonsil stone removal? An ear-nose-and-throat specialist can help you removes stubborn stones, but surgery isn’t usually necessary unless you have one of an abnormally large tonsil stone that causes you pain or even interferes with your breathing.

With the right preventative steps, you can avoid developing such a large tonsil stone that needs drastic treatment. In fact, large tonsil stones are quite rare. If you are prone to tonsil stones, most likely you will only have to treat small stones on a regular basis in the comfort of your own home. Good prevention can help limit even those small stones too, however.

 

You Can Prevent Tonsil Stones!

 

Preventing tonsil stones on your own is simple, if you are diligent. Focus on clearing any bacterial “plugs” that may be trapped in the crypts or folds of your tonsils.

Here are some effective ways you can keep your tonsils clean and free of tonsil stones and keep your breath smelling sweet:

 

Maintain a good oral hygiene.

 

By keeping your teeth and gums free of disease-causing bacteria, your whole mouth will stay fresh and your tonsils will stay cleaner.

Clean your tongue and brush your teeth twice a day for a good oral health.

Good Oral Hygiene

 

Gargle daily to cleanse your tonsils.

 

The act of gargling loosens cellular debris and bacterial growth from your tonsils before they have the chance to harden into tonsil stones. Best gargle with a salty water.

 

We recommend mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of water.

Gargle For Tonsil Stones Prevention

Flush your tonsils with a water flosser or an irrigation syringe.

 

This method enables you to target those individual crypts or pouches on your tonsils to blast away debris and small tonsil stones.

Repeating the flush 5-7 times will gradually loosen your tonsil crypts and remove most of the tonsil debris.

Flush Tonsil Stones Water Flosser

This method enables you to target those individual crypts or pouches on your tonsils to blast away debris and small tonsil stones.

 

Dare to speak out ! No one will ever know you had tonsil stones.

 

Life without the fear and anxiety caused by tonsil stones is possible! Take control of your tonsil health starting today by removing and preventing tonsil stones right in your own home.

Smiling And Confident

The Oravix team is ready to help you begin your journey to better tonsil health by equipping you with the tools you need to safely prevent and get rid of tonsil stones.

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