Epidemiology. Tonsilloliths or tonsillar concretions occur in up to 10% of the population, frequently due to episodes of tonsillitis. While small concretions in the tonsils are common, true stones are less so. They commonly occur in young adults and are rare in children.
Tonsil stones are common. They rarely cause serious health problems. Many people have tonsil stones and don't even know they have them. You can treat them at home.
Up to 10% of people will have tonsil stones in their lifetime. Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tonsil stones.
Anyone can develop tonsil stones, but recurring strep throat (tonsillitis), viral infections or sinus issues, poor oral hygiene, and the shape and size of your tonsils may put you at greater risk for developing them.
Tonsil stones are not harmful and may not need to be treated, but surgical options are available if they become a problem.
Tonsil Stones Are Not Necessarily Caused by Poor Oral Hygiene, but Practicing Good Care Can Help. A common misconception is that tonsil stones are caused by not practicing good oral hygiene. But the truth is that people who brush, floss, and take good care of their teeth and gums can still develop tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones slowly increase in size over time and once large enough may be spit out or swallowed.
Tonsil stones are not contagious. However, you can pass bacteria from your oral microbiome to another person's by kissing or sharing utensils. Since tonsil stones are related to the health of your oral bacteria, kissing or sharing utensils with someone who has tonsil stones may risk sharing the microbial culprits.
Literature review shows that the largest tonsillolith was reported in a 12-year-old female child in the left tonsil and measured 4.2 × 3.6 × 2.1 cm. A majority of the cases of giant tonsilloliths reported a left tonsil stone rather than the right. Two reported cases showed bilateral giant tonsilloliths.
Halitosis: Bad breath is the most prevalent symptom of tonsil stones. 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.
Tonsil stones
Smaller stones can often be dislodged by gargling salt water. If this does not work, a person may want to talk to their doctor who may use lasers or sound waves to dislodge the stones. A doctor may also suggest a simple surgical procedure if the stones are large and difficult to remove.
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.
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.
Some people may never get a tonsil stone, while others may get several a week without issue. Remember that just because you have bad breath doesn't mean you have tonsil stones. There are many causes of bad breath, and tonsil stones are among the less likely reasons.
People who have long-term tonsillitis are more likely to get tonsil stones. The only way to prevent them is to remove your tonsils. Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils.
Tonsilloliths can occur at any age but are more common in adults than in children. Some people just develop one, whereas others can have more than one at a time.
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, also called tonsilloliths, begin as soft, white clumps that might not even be visible. Over time, however, they can calcify and harden into stones. In either form, they are generally harmless, but their presence can signal more serious health issues, such as infection, tonsillitis and poor oral hygiene.
When stones form, you can remove them either by gently pressing them out with a cotton swab or the back of your tooth brush, or by washing them out with a low-pressure water irrigator. You can use this device to aim a gentle stream of water at the tonsil craters and rinse out debris that may be caught in them.
Important Points to Consider. Tonsil stones are common and embarrassing. This is a familiar condition among thousands of Americans, leading to chronic bad breath and tonsil pain. Tonsil stones rarely cause serious health problems, but many people wonder if they can make you sick?
Pushing or Squeezing Out Stones
“There is risk for injury to the tonsil and bleeding,” says Setlur. “There is a risk for vascular injury.” Even using a finger or toothbrush could scratch your tonsils, so if you do try this method of removal, try using a cotton swab.
They can smell foul and cause bad breath. Other typical symptoms include: sore throat, the sensation of something being stuck in the back of your throat, and problems swallowing. What should I do if I have tonsil stones?
Conclusions Chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy cause alterations in some acoustic measurements, which make the voice dysharmonic and harsh.
This can include avoiding certain foods, such as dairy products or sugary snacks, that can contribute to the formation of tonsil stones. You may also need to use a nasal spray or other medication to manage post-nasal drip or acid reflux.
Tonsil stones are small lumps of hard material that form in the tonsils. Tonsil stones are usually not painful or harmful but they can cause bad breath.