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Originally written December 14, 2018
While brushing your teeth one day, you notice some white and yellow formations on your tonsils. Could it be a tonsil infection, or something worse?
As it turns out, what you most likely have are something called tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones form when debris such as mucus, dead cells, food, and even skin can get stuck in the crevices of your tonsils. These stones can range in size from barely noticeable to the scale of a berry.
Tonsil stones can be caused by a number of factors, including:
They are notably common in teenagers and people with large tonsils.
While some people don’t have any symptoms, others may experience:
To prevent tonsil stones, you can add the following to your routine:
This includes daily brushing and flossing, particularly after meals and at bedtime.
Gargling with salt water can reduce the inflammation in your mouth while drawing out bacteria that can cause oral issues like tonsil stones. To supplement your regular brushing and flossing, you can also gargle mouthwash.
Keeping your mouth moist can reduce the likelihood of debris buildup.
On the other hand, smoking and drinking can make your mouth drier, which can increase bacteria growth in the mouth.
In addition to prevention, gargling can be good for removing tonsil stones. Some people may also loosen tonsil stones by coughing. However, it is not recommended that you try to remove them manually. Antibiotics can be used to break down the bacteria that helped create the stones, while minor surgery may be needed in some cases.“I generally recommend my patients try a Waterpik water flosser on a gentle setting to help flush the tonsils to remove the stones and debris,” CEENTA ENT physician Isaac Dingle, MD, said. “This can really improve the symptoms, especially the bad breath. In most cases, we can avoid surgery.”Tonsil stones don’t need to be a cause for alarm, and with a bit of preventive action, you can keep your tonsils clean and your breath fresh. If you need additional support, schedule a same-day ENT appointment with Dr. Dingle at our Pineville office online or through myCEENTAchart.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.
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