Some people get tonsilloliths, which are small, whitish-yellow growths that can form in the cracks of their tonsils. They might not be a major health problem, but they can be painful and cause bad smell. This article will go into detail about tonsil stones, including what causes them, how they show up, and how they can be treated.
People get tonsil stones when bits of food get stuck in their tonsils and mix with germs and dead cells. These bits harden into small stones that are easy to get out of your mouth over time. Tonsil stones happen most often in kids and young adults, but older people can also get them.
Lots of different signs can point to tonsil stones, but some of the most common ones are bad breath, sore throat, a metallic taste in the mouth, swollen tonsils, ear pain, and coughs that won’t go away. If you experience any of these signs, you should see a doctor right away to get a correct diagnosis.
A physical check of your throat and a review of your medical history are all that are needed to confirm that you have tonsil stones. In addition, your doctor may suggest more tests to rule out other conditions and make sure you do have tonsil stones.
There are different ways to treat tonsil stones based on how bad the problem is. Tonsil stones don’t always need to be treated. Sometimes, they can be taken out at home with a cotton swab or by gargling with salt water. But if you have pain or bad breath that won’t go away, your doctor may suggest medicated gargles, mouth irrigators, or surgery to remove them.
Aside from medical care, there are a number of things that can be done at home to help ease the pain of tonsil stones. Some of these are gargling with saltwater, drinking plenty of water, using apple cider vinegar, and keeping your teeth clean.
You can also avoid getting tonsil stones by taking a few easy steps. Some of these are taking care of your teeth and gums, drinking plenty of water, not smoking or drinking alcohol, and going to the doctor regularly.
Last but not least, tonsil stones may be painful and strange, but they are usually not dangerous. You can take steps to stop them from happening and ease their symptoms by learning about their causes, symptoms, and treatment choices. Remember to put good oral health first and see a doctor if you have pain or bad breath that won’t go away.
