How is tonsil stones caused

It can also help get rid of the odor tonsil stones can cause. You may first discover that you have tonsil stones when you cough one up. Energetic coughing can help loosen stones. Removing the stones yourself with rigid items like a toothbrush is not recommended.

Manually removing tonsil stones can be risky and lead to complications, such as bleeding and infection.

If you must try something, gently using a water pick or a cotton swab is a better choice. Minor surgical procedures may be recommended if stones become particularly large or cause pain or persistent symptoms.

During this procedure, a laser is used to eliminate the crypts where tonsil stones lodge. This procedure is often performed using local anesthesia. Discomfort and recovery time are usually minimal. In coblation cryptolysis, no heat is involved.

Instead, radio waves transform a salt solution into charged ions. These ions can cut through tissue. As with lasers, coblation cryptolysis reduces tonsil crypts but without the same burning sensation. A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of tonsils. This procedure may be done using a scalpel, laser, or coblation device.

Performing this surgery for tonsil stones is controversial. Doctors who recommend tonsillectomy for tonsil stones tend to use it only for severe, chronic cases, and after all other methods have been tried without success.

In some cases, antibiotics can be used to manage tonsil stones. They can be used to lower the bacteria counts that play a crucial role in the development and growth of the tonsil stones. While complications from tonsil stones are rare, they are possible. One of the most serious complications that may result from tonsil stones is a deep infection of the tonsil , known as an abscess. Large tonsil stones can damage and disrupt normal tonsil tissue. This can lead to significant swelling, inflammation, and infection.

Tonsil stones linked to tonsil infections may also require surgery. They are made up of a material called biofilm. This mixture then attaches itself to any moist surface. Tonsil stones can usually be treated at home. They often detach during vigorous gargling. However, if you see tonsil stones in the back of your throat but do not have any symptoms, you do not have to try to remove them. People can use a cotton swab to loosen the stone and gently press on the tissue immediately surrounding it.

They should position the swab behind the stone and push forward, pushing the tonsil stone toward the front of the mouth instead of into the throat. Be careful not to push too hard, as you risk injuring the back of your throat. Do not use your finger or anything pointed or sharp to try to remove a tonsil stone. If tonsil stones hurt or make it difficult to swallow, people can try gargling with warm salt water.

A process called coblation tonsil cryptolysis involves reshaping the tonsils and reducing the number of crevices in which tonsil stones can grow. The procedure can be completed using a local anesthetic, and patients can resume a normal diet and activity after one week. The only way to permanently prevent tonsil stones is to have the tonsils removed via tonsillectomy. It is possible, although very rare, that the tonsils will grow back. A tonsillectomy is safe, but it can cause throat pain for several days after surgery.

Like all surgeries, tonsillectomy carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, swelling-related breathing difficulties, and, very rarely, life-threatening reactions to anesthesia.

If tonsil stones are only a minor irritation, the risks and stress of surgery might outweigh the benefits. Preventing the growth of tonsil stones completely is almost impossible. For people who have chronic tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy may be the only way to prevent tonsil stones. However, good oral hygiene, including frequent brushing and flossing, can help. Irrigating the tonsils and mouth with a water sprayer can remove debris and bacteria, reducing the risk of tonsil stones. A number of other conditions can cause pain in or near the tonsils.

A doctor can help determine what causes tonsil stones. An otolaryngologist, commonly known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor, can treat most tonsil and throat conditions. Some people prefer to push these objects out themselves using a cotton swab or their finger. If that poses a problem because it triggers your gag reflex, using a water flosser usually allows you to flush out the stones may be a better option.

Both Thatcher and Dr. If you decide to use something else to dislodge the stones, do not use anything sharp such as toothpicks or pins to do so, Setlur says. Using these types of tools can cause injury to the tonsils or bleeding. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory medication such as a corticosteroid for tonsil stone flares, but these medications would only be used to help clear up an episode of stones and should not be prescribed for long-term use, Kezirian says.

Another option for removal of tonsil stones is surgery. Both methods of cryptolysis require only local anesthesia — unlike tonsillectomy, which is done under general anesthesia — so they may result in less pain afterward and faster recoveries. While poor oral hygiene is not the only reason tonsil stones develop, keeping your mouth clean and free of any food particles or bacteria plays an important role in preventing tonsil stones from showing up.

Be sure to:. In some cases, tonsil stones may increase your risk of tonsillitis inflammation or infection of your tonsils. And in rare cases, if the growths are very large, they may cause breathing or swallowing problems, according to a paper published in April in the Saudi Medical Journal. Tonsil stones can occur in anyone who still has their tonsils, regardless of age or gender.

There is a lack of data evaluating how many people are affected by tonsil stones, largely due to the fact that in many cases, individuals may not realize they have them. Some people with tonsil stones never experience symptoms and may not seek medical attention. Even when tonsil stones are diagnosed, the condition is rarely serious, which explains why few researchers study them, Thatcher notes.

The research that does exist suggests tonsil stones may be very common with prevalence rates having been estimated to range from 25 to more than 46 percent.

ENT Health. This site from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation is a one-stop shop for everything ear, nose, throat, head, or neck related. PBS Nova. Watch a two-minute video from the PBS show Nova to see what a tonsil stone looks like, how common they are, and what you can do to get rid of them. ADA is a professional organization of dentists that seeks to advance the oral health of the public.

You can find out about recent dental health research news, dental hygiene products recommended by ADA, dental health education and training, and more. Use the Find-a-Dentist feature on the site to connect with a provider near you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Keeping your mouth clean and debris-free is one way to prevent tonsil stones from developing.

This CDC fact sheet reviews the basics of maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding other oral health problems. MouthHealthy features information about dental and oral health and is produced by the ADA for the general public. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Tonsil Stones. Reviewed: August 21, Medically Reviewed. How do I know if I have tonsil stones? What should I do if I have tonsil stones? Do I need to see my doctor for tonsil stones?

What can I do to prevent tonsil stones? Medication Options Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory medication such as a corticosteroid for tonsil stone flares, but these medications would only be used to help clear up an episode of stones and should not be prescribed for long-term use, Kezirian says.