Tonsil stone breath smells sulfurous and foul, often compared to rotten eggs, garbage, or decaying matter, due to volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) released by bacteria breaking down trapped debris like dead cells and food particles in the tonsil crevices. This smell is distinct and persistent, often accompanied by an unpleasant taste, making it hard to mask with brushing.
If you open up your mouth and say, “ahhh,” there's a chance you may notice small, white or yellow spots. If you shine a light on these spots and they look like pebbles, you may have what is medically known as tonsilloliths or tonsil stones.
Home methods to remove tonsil stones:
Can tonsil stones cause headaches? Yes with chronic tonsillitis.
Some tonsil stones don't cause any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include: Persistent bad breath: Tonsil stones can have a foul odor, making bad breath one of the main symptoms. Sore throat or cough: Sometimes, tonsil stones can irritate the throat and cause a sore throat or cough.
Quick signs it's a stone, not regular “morning breath”
You notice a white speck in a tonsil pocket that can be dislodged. Bad breath comes back quickly in spite of brushing and flossing. You feel a nagging “foreign body” when swallowing.
While you can't prevent them, you can minimize the development of tonsil stones with good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth after meals, in the morning and before bed. While brushing your teeth, also gently brush your tongue, followed by flossing. Regularly use a mouthwash that does not have an alcohol base.
To diagnose tonsil stones, your healthcare provider may:
Can dehydration cause tonsil stones? Not drinking enough water can lead to tonsil stones. This is because a dry throat can lead your body to produce more mucus, which can trap bits of food food and bacteria.
Processed foods: Highly processed snacks like chips and crackers tend to leave particles that are hard to remove from the mouth. These particles can get lodged in the tonsil crypts and contribute to stone development. High-starch foods: Pasta, bread, and potatoes can leave residue in the mouth.
Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to a buildup of food particles, bacteria, and dead cells in the mouth and tonsils. This accumulation can harden and form stones.
The 7-5-3 Rule, also known as the Paradise Criteria, is a guideline for deciding if a tonsillectomy is needed for recurrent tonsillitis, indicating surgery if a patient has: 7 or more episodes in the past year, 5 or more episodes in each of the past two years, or 3 or more episodes in each of the past three years, with each episode being significant (e.g., fever, exudates, missed school/work). This rule helps determine if infections are frequent and severe enough to warrant surgery, though individual factors can also influence the decision.
Using diluted apple cider vinegar in place of saltwater is a great option to help dissolve the hard outer coating of the tonsil stones, making it easier to pop out. If saltwater isn't helping, try apple cider vinegar instead. Pro tip: Consistency is key!
Gargling, followed by brushing your teeth, can help remove food debris and bacteria that can get caught in your tonsils. Although unnecessary, some people may want visible tonsil stones removed. Your doctor can gently remove larger stones for you in the office, often using a cotton swab or other instruments.
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.
A dentist can diagnose tonsil stones through a visual exam or a dental x-ray. In many cases, a tonsil stone will dislodge on its own.
Since it contains sulfur, people may liken the odor of these compounds to that of rotting eggs. Thus, bad breath. So, no matter how invested people may be in their oral care routine, this doesn't spare them from having persistent halitosis if their tonsils have stones within them.
Poor oral hygiene, continuous mouth breathing, deep crevices in tonsils, huge tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, hormonal changes, and too much calcium in the blood without adequate vitamins K2 and D3 are all causes of tonsil stones.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash regularly allows bacteria and food particles to build up in the mouth and get trapped in the tonsils' pockets, leading to tonsil stones.
While they can look concerning, tonsil stones are usually harmless. Still, they can cause discomfort, bad breath, and even anxiety for both kids and parents.
Any food that promotes the calcification of tonsil stones should be avoided. This includes carbonated drinks such as energy drink and soft drinks, even those which are sugar free. Alcohol and smoking can also contribute to tonsil stones by drying up the mouth which may also exacerbate bad breath.
Preventing Tonsil Stones
Brush your teeth twice a day or after meals: Use an anti-bacterial toothpaste like Crest Pro-Health to better neutralize plaque and limit the spread of oral bacteria into the throat.
Tonsil stones happen when bits of food, dead cells and bacteria get stuck in the small pockets of your tonsils. Over time, this material can harden into small lumps. You may be more likely to develop tonsil stones if you have: poor oral hygiene.
TheraBreath AktivOxigen serum targets the throat and tonsil area, which is the breeding ground of tonsil stones. Working together, these products safely destroy tonsil stones and help keep them from returning.
Gargle with salt water or a mouth rinse. Gargling cannot only prevent tonsil stones, but can also help dislodge them. Extract them with a specialized tonsil stone extractor. Tonsil stone extractors are plastic or metal devices composed of handles with ends shaped like doughnuts.