Gently swishing a nonalcoholic mouthwash around the mouth can loosen tonsil stones and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Reducing bacteria can help prevent tonsil stones from forming.
If you have a history of developing tonsil stones, the best way to get rid of them permanently is to remove your tonsils. Surgery to take out the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure, so you don't have to stay overnight in the hospital.
Gargling with salt water or a 50/50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide has also shown to keep your tonsillar crypts cleaner and soothe your throat. Make sure if you gargle with a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water mixture that you do not swallow hydrogen peroxide.
Mouthwashes with alcohol lead to dry mouth, which encourages the growth of bacteria and allows it to build up, sometimes resulting in tonsil stones. Stay hydrated with water! Water will flush away bacteria and stop it from building up. It also allows for a healthy flow of saliva.
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.
Some people have tonsils that are characterized by deep pits and craters, commonly referred to as “crypts.” Tonsil stones can develop in these cavities when bacteria, food particles, saliva, mucus, and other debris build up and get trapped. “This material builds up because the crypts have a vase shape,” says Dr.
Gargle with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of salt mixed in 1 cup (250 mL) of warm water. Use something soft to gently remove tonsil stones that bother you. Some people use the end of a cotton swab. Practice good oral hygiene.
Use an Oral Irrigator
They rely on pressured water and were first created to massage the gums. Start with the irrigator on low to prevent gagging and gently massage your tonsils in the area by the tonsil stones. This should loosen them up enough to suck them out.
How long do tonsil stones last? Tonsil stones may last anywhere from several days to several years. Most tonsil stones clear up in 1-3 weeks on their own. Large stones may remain on the tonsils for many years if not removed by a doctor.
Removing tonsil stones
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.
If you have a history of chronic tonsillitis or other medical conditions that increase your risk of tonsil stones, you may need to take additional steps to prevent them. This can include avoiding certain foods, such as dairy products or sugary snacks, that can contribute to the formation of tonsil stones.
A tongue depressor is often used to dislodge larger tonsil stones; your dentist will apply pressure next to the tonsillith with the tongue depressor to dislodge it.
We recommend that every morning and night you use mouthwash. Also try to avoid foods like popcorn, sesame seeds, and spinach. These have a high chance of leaving food particles stuck in your tonsils. Thus eventually forming tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones usually fall out on their own without treatment. You can try to help dislodge the stones by brushing your teeth regularly and gargling with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt mixed with eight ounces of water). You do not need antibiotics.
Coughing: Some people find that a strong cough can loosen stones and bring them up. Using an object: If gargling and coughing don't dislodge the stones, it's tempting to use your finger or a toothbrush to get rid of tonsil stones. But you can easily scratch your delicate tonsils. They can get infected.
Pushing or Squeezing Out Stones
“There is risk for injury to the tonsil and bleeding,” says Setlur. “There is a risk for vascular injury.” Even using a finger or toothbrush could scratch your tonsils, so if you do try this method of removal, try using a cotton swab.
The tissues of the throat are delicate. To avoid injury, a person with tonsil stones should be careful not to push too hard. A water flosser can work well to flush out tonsil stones in a clean way without introducing bacteria to the mouth and tonsils.
Using a water-pick or low-pressure irrigator, you can gently spray water on the tonsils to dislodge stones and rinse them away. Using a mirror as your guide, carefully aim the water toward the tonsil stones. This method of removal should be avoided in young children who may be more susceptible to choking.
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. Difficulty or pain when swallowing: When tonsil stones form, they can be accompanied by inflammation.
People who have long-term tonsillitis are more likely to get tonsil stones. The only way to prevent them is to remove your tonsils. Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils.
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.
The most common causes of tonsil stones include: Bacterial infections. Viral infections. Streptococcus bacteria.
Today, however, this once common procedure is no longer a standard operating procedure. Why? Dr. DeMarino says that, “There are fewer tonsillectomies due to skepticism in the medical community over its usefulness in infection control and more stringent guidelines.”