Tonsils Stones – Causes and Treatment

Tonsils stones or tonsilloliths are small particles of calcareous matter that form in the crevasses of the tonsils. In some people, small, hard, calcareous lumps, which are white in color, occur in the crevasses of tonsils, also called as tonsillar crypts.

The lumps can greatly vary in size from minute bits to pea sized ones. These lumps exist in the area of tonsils for some time, until they are removed.tonsilloliths

This condition leads to emit foul smell from tonsils and individual who is affected withtonsilloliths experience a physical sensation of something being blocked in rear portion of the throat.

Formation of tonsils stones is due to the development of dead skin cells with other cellular and non-cellular fragments that get rinsed the rear portion of your throat from nasal cavities and sinuses and get blocked in the crypts of tonsils.

Usually, individuals who are affected with postnasal drip develop tonsilloliths because there is continuous flow of sinus drainage and mucus through the tonsils.

Stones develop only in crypts of tonsils as it is the only place where fragments can accumulate and get blocked. As there are greater amounts of protein, it develops a prolific atmosphere for the bacteria to develop, especially anaerobic bacteria, which occur at posterior part of your tongue and also some other airless areas of mouth.

Halitosis is a condition of bad breath that gets developed from tonsils. This condition is due to the growth and metabolism of anaerobic bacteria. There is foul smelling in breath because these bacteria produce sulfur compounds.

As anaerobic bacteria line and grow inside and also on tonsilloliths, they won’t get affected even if you brush your teeth or tongue or rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwashes. Breath sprays and mints are also usually ineffective.

The best remedy is rinsing your mouth with mouthwash that is intended to reduce the anaerobic bacteria that live in your mouth.

It is very difficult to get rid of tonsils stones completely. The best option for completely getting rid of them is undergoing tonsillectomy or removing the tonsils surgically.

Here are some tips to get rid of tonsilloliths non-surgically:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day. Add one tsp of salt in one pint of water and use ¼ cup of water every time you rinse.
  • Also, you can use Alkalol as gargle. Basically, it is a saline solution, which is alkaline in nature and consists of eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and camphor. You can also use oils like pine, cinnamon, spearmint, and wintergreen.
  • Use water-jet devices to wash down your tonsils. It is a more aggressive method to get rid of tonsils stones.
  • Sometimes, your doctor prescribes antibiotics to wash down the tonsils.