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Tonsil Stones: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

By on April 17, 2019

What Are Tonsil Stones

When debris such as dead cells and food is trapped on tonsils, it turns hard and forms tonsil stones. It is also termed as tonsilloliths or tonsil calculi. This hard mass appears yellowish or white and ranges from small to considerable size. Largest tonsil stone recorded till date was of 14.5 cm.

Tonsil Stones

Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stone may not cause any symptom but they may become home of bacteria and may cause unpleasant smell.

What Causes Tonsil Stones

As discussed above when debris or bacteria is trapped in cervices on tonsils, tonsil stones develop. Poor oral hygiene and chronic sinusitis increases the risk of tonsil stones.

What Are The Symptoms Of Tonsil Stones

Tonsil Stone may not cause any symptom. But, it may smell bad as they become home for anaerobic bacteria. There may be the sensation that something is stuck in the back of the throat or mouth. In some cases, it may cause pain or pressure in your ears.

Tonsil stones appear yellow or white fleck on tonsils. Large stones become easily visible.

Are There Complications Of Tonsil Stones

In most of the cases, unless tonsil stone is causing discomfort, it is harmless.
However, it may be a signal of lack of oral hygiene. Mostly those who are irregular with cleaning teeth and floss suffer from it. Thus, those with tonsil stone may also suffer from gum diseases, oral infections and tooth decay.

What Is The Treatment Of Tonsil Stone

Vigorous gargling at home often detaches tonsil stones. If removing tonsil stone is not possible at home or tonsil is swollen, red and painful, consult a doctor.

The doctor may treat tonsil stone by procedure termed as laser surfacing.

To prevent tonsil stones in future reshaping tonsil and reducing the number of crevices by process termed as coblation tonsil cryptolysisis done.

However, tonsil stone still may develop and removal of tonsil may be considered. But if tonsil stone is causing little irritation the stress and risk of surgery outweighs benefits. Better try home remedies mentioned below.

Home Remedies For Tonsil Stone

Below are easy and simple but effective ways to get rid of tonsil stone at home.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar To Treat Tonsil Stones- Apple cider vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria, and so it is a natural home remedy to treat lots of ailments. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and gargle with it to break the stones.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

2. Garlic To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones – Garlic is antibacterial due to the present of compound allicin. Chewing raw garlic kills bacteria and discourages the growth of bacteria. It also reduces bad breath. Consuming a clove of garlic every day not only kills bacteria but also removes bad odor.

Garlic

Garlic

3. Oil Pulling To Treat Tonsil Stone – One of the most effective home remedies for most of the dental and oral health issues is oil pulling. It is also useful in tonsil stones. Take a tablespoon coconut or sesame oil and swish in your mouth for 20 minutes and then spit it out. It is one of the best ways to fight gum diseases and cavities and also loosens tonsil stones. Also, it will help you get rid of foul odour from mouth.

4. Salt Water Gargle To Treat Tonsil Stone- One of the best ways to remove tonsil stone is salt water gargle. Mix a half teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle daily 2-3 times in a day. Salt water gargle detoxifies mouth and removes debris that forms stones. Vigorous gargling also loosens stones and helps you get rid of them.

5. Stay Hydrated To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones – To remove tonsil stones and prevent them in future be sure to keep yourself hydrated. Dry mouth and little saliva production make it easy for the microbes to grow and encourages the formation of stones. Make sure to drink 9-10 glasses of water every day.

Drink more Water

Stay Hydrated To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones are common, and there is not much to worry. The above-mentioned home remedies are sure to help you get rid of them. To prevent tonsil stones in future maintain oral hygiene.

Reference
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315026.php
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tonsil-stones

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.
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