Tonsil stones smell bad because they are home to anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria create sulfides, which give off a putrid smell.
Because tonsils stones are composed primarily of bacteria, this is known to produce a foul-smelling sulfide. You will notice this both when the stone is in your tonsil and when it is dislodged and visible outside your body.
Gargling: Vigorous gargling using salt water has a few advantages. It helps your throat feel better, plus it can dislodge the tonsil stones. It may even get rid of the bad odor. This is particularly helpful when you gargle after eating to prevent food and debris from getting caught in the tonsil crypts.
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common complaint of those with tonsil stones. Tonsil stones smell bad for some, but others don't cause any symptoms. In most cases, they aren't of concern to your health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: This can be a surprising reason for stinky breath as well as smelly nose. The tonsils have crevices inside, which can trap food particles, dead cells, mucus, saliva, etc. Sometimes, this debris trapped in these crevices can harden into tonsil stones, leading to a bad smell in the nose.
Rinse regularly using a mouthwash, gently swishing alcohol-free mouthwash around your mouth helps kill bacteria and loosen tonsil stones.
Also called tonsilliths, these stones can begin to release sulfur, causing bad breath that can only be eradicated by removing the stones and preventing their recurrence. Read on to learn how to prevent tonsil stone formation and how to remove them once you have already developed them.
cetylpyridinium chloride. chlorhexidine (only available with a prescription)
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.
Tonsilloliths are foul smelling because they tend to contain high quantities of sulfur compounds. When crushed, they give off a characteristic rotten-egg smell and can cause bad breath. Tonsilloliths may also give a person the sense that something is caught in the back of the throat. Also known as tonsil stone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Causes of Tonsil Stones
Poor dental hygiene. Chronic mouth breathing (during the day or at night) Deep crevices (crypts) in the tonsils (where food particles can become lodged) Large tonsils.
Another common question someone might ask is, “If you have tonsil stones, does that mean you have to worry about passing it on to someone you love when you kiss them or share a cup or utensil?” The good news is that tonsil stones are not contagious.
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.
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.