Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial properties that can help to dissolve tonsil stones. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds. Repeat several times a day until the tonsil stones are gone.
A warm saltwater gargle helps with swelling and discomfort. Gargling can even help dislodge the stone. Try a gargle of 1 teaspoon salt mixed with 8 ounces of water. Use a cotton swab to remove a tonsil stone that's bothering you.
Gargling with salt water is a known method of making your throat feel better, but it can also dislodge tonsil stones. The salt acts as an abrasive that shakes everything loose in the back of your throat. The salt can also change up the chemistry in your mouth which will reduce the further presence of tonsil stones.
In most cases, removing a tonsil stone can be done at home. Using a cotton swab, gently push on the tonsil, behind the stone, to force the stone out. Vigorous coughing and gargling can dislodge stones, as well. Once the stone is out, gargle with salt water, to remove any remaining bacteria.
Sometimes, tonsil stones dissolve or dislodge on their own in a short time. They may last for weeks if the bacteria continue to grow. If untreated, tonsil stones may last for years.
Tonsil stones form in the crevices of the tonsils when food particles, bacteria, saliva, or other debris get trapped. A common factor that increases your likelihood of getting tonsil stones is the structure of your tonsils.
People with tonsil stones may be able to loosen them by gently pressing on the surrounding tissue with a cotton swab. It is better to push the stone forward by positioning the swab behind the stone. The tonsil stone then falls into the mouth instead of into the throat.
Poor oral hygiene, as well as tobacco use, can increase the likelihood of tonsil stones. But in other individuals, it's the structure of the tonsils themselves that makes them more prone to developing tonsil stones.
Sometimes, tonsil stones can grow, making holes in the tonsils larger and possibly prolonging an infection. Symptoms of tonsil stones include: a sore throat.
Gently swishing mouthwash around your mouth can kill bacteria and loosen tonsil stones. This is another easy way to loosen tonsil stones.
Your tonsils are delicate, and you could cause bleeding or damage if you try to remove tonsil stones too aggressively. If the tonsil stones are causing significant pain or swelling, you should see your doctor.
If you have a difficult time removing your tonsil stones at home or simply feel uneasy doing it yourself, then your dentist can remove them for you. Dentists typically remove tonsil stones by using a professional air or water syringe, or a simple tongue depressor.
If you have tonsil stones, you might find it hard to swallow. It might feel like there's something stuck at the back of your throat. You might be able to see small patches of white on your tonsils. Tonsil stones can also trigger infections that can be difficult to treat with antibiotics.
Probiotics: Eating yogurt and other foods with probiotics can help kill the bacteria in tonsil stones. Carrots: Chewing raw carrots naturally increases production of saliva, which can help reduce stones. Apples: Apples are acidic, which may help fight bacteria in tonsil stones.
Foods To Be Avoided
Alcohol and carbonated beverages must be avoided, as these beverages can cause intense pain, irritation, and burning sensation in the throat. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are acidic in nature, which may be too harsh on the throat and irritate the tonsils.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can keep tonsil stones from forming. Water can also increase natural saliva production and help to change the chemistry in your mouth.
Typically, the smell is sulfuric, like rotten eggs. Bad taste in mouth: You may experience a metallic taste in the back of the throat due to tonsil stones. Difficulty or pain when swallowing: When tonsil stones form, they can be accompanied by inflammation.
Large tonsil stones can cause swollen tonsils and give you trouble swallowing. Tonsil stones can also sometimes trigger infections.
Tonsil stones usually take a bit of time to form and can be either very small, medium-sized, or very large. In fact, the largest tonsil stone on record is 14.5 cm, which is shy of six inches wide. However, most tonsil stones are small, and patients may not even realize at first that they have them.
Unlike kidney stones or salivary stones, which are calcified and therefore hard, tonsil stones are soft and stinky, white or yellow balls of solid pus, which form in the crypts of the tonsils. The proper medical term is exudate. They consist of bacteria, white blood cells and protein.
Symptoms of tonsil stones
Some tonsil stones don't cause any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include: Bad breath — Tonsil stones can have a foul odor, making severe bad breath one of the main symptoms.