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What are tonsil stones?

Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard white or yellow formations that are located on or within the tonsils.

It’s common for people with tonsil stones to not even realize they have them. Tonsil stones aren’t always easy to see and they can range from rice-sized to the size of a large grape. Tonsil stones rarely cause larger health complications. However, sometimes they can grow into larger formations that can cause your tonsils to swell, and they often have an unpleasant odor.

What causes tonsil stones?

Your tonsils are made up of crevices, tunnels, and pits called tonsil crypts. Different types of debris, such as dead cells, mucus, saliva, and food, can get trapped in these pockets and build up. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and fungi feed on this buildup and cause a distinct odor.

Over time, the debris hardens into a tonsil stone. Some people may have only one tonsil stone, while others have many smaller formations.

Potential causes of tonsil stones include:

* poor dental hygiene
* large tonsils
* chronic sinus issues
* chronic tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils)

Symptoms of tonsil stones

Although some tonsil stones may be difficult to see, they can still cause noticeable symptoms. Symptoms of tonsil stones can include:

Bad breathe, sore throat, trouble swallowing, ear pain, ongoing cough, swollen tonsils, white or yellow debris on the tonsil

Smaller tonsil stones, which are more common than large ones, may not cause any symptoms.

Preventing tonsil stones

If you have tonsil stones, they may occur on a regular basis. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent them. These steps include:

*practicing good oral hygiene, including cleaning the bacteria off the back of your tongue when you brush your teeth,

*stopping *******

*gargling with salt water

*drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated

Tonsil stone removal

Most tonsilloliths are harmless, but many people want to remove them because they can smell bad or cause discomfort. Treatments range from home remedies to medical procedures.

Gargling - vigorously with salt water can ease throat discomfort and may help dislodge tonsil stones. Salt water may also help to change your mouth chemistry. It can also help get rid of the odor tonsil stones can cause. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and gargle.

Cough - you may first discover that you have tonsil stones when you cough one up. Energetic coughing can help loosen stones.

Manual removal - removing the stones yourself with rigid items like a toothbrush is not recommended. Your tonsils are delicate tissues so it’s important to be gentle. Manually removing tonsil stones can be risky and lead to complications, such as bleeding and infection. If you must try something, gently using a water pick or a cotton swab is a better choice.

Minor surgical procedures may be recommended if stones become particularly large or cause pain or persistent symptoms.

Laser tonsil cryptolysis - during this procedure, a laser is used to eliminate the crypts where tonsil stones lodge. This procedure is often performed using local anesthesia. Discomfort and recovery time are usually minimal.

Coblation cryptolysis - in coblation cryptolysis, no heat is involved. Instead, radio waves transform a salt solution into charged ions. These ions can cut through tissue. As with lasers, coblation cryptolysis reduces tonsil crypts but without the same burning sensation.

tonsillectomy - is the surgical removal of tonsils. This procedure may be done using a scalpel, laser, or coblation device.

Performing this surgery for tonsil stones is controversial. Doctors who recommend tonsillectomy for tonsil stones tend to use it only for severe, chronic cases, and after all other methods have been tried without success.

Antibiotics - can be used to manage tonsil stones. They can be used to lower the bacteria counts that play a crucial role in the development and growth of the tonsil stones.

The downside of antibiotics is that they won’t treat the underlying cause of the stones, and they come with their own potential side effects. They also shouldn’t be used long term, which means the tonsil stones will likely return after you stop using the antibiotics.

Complications of tonsil stones

While complications from tonsil stones are rare, they are possible. One of the most serious complications that may result from tonsil stones is a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., known as an abscess.

Large tonsil stones can damage and disrupt normal tonsil tissue. This can lead to significant swelling, inflammation, and infection.

Tonsil stones linked to You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.may also require surgery.

Are tonsil stones contagious?

No, tonsil stones aren’t contagious. They are made up of a material called You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. In the mouth, a biofilm is a combination of your own mouth’s bacteria and fungi interacting with your mouth’s chemistry. This mixture then attaches itself to any moist surface.

In the case of tonsil stones, the material becomes hardened within the tonsils. Another common biofilm in the mouth is plaque. Biofilms also play a role in cavities and gum disease.

Outlook

Tonsil stones are a common problem. Though they can bring a range of symptoms, tonsil stones rarely result in serious complications.

If you have frequent tonsil stones, be sure to practice good dental hygiene and stay hydrated. If they become a problem or you’re concerned about them, talk to your doctor. Together you can determine the best way to treat your tonsil stones and prevent future ones.
 
I had them removed na :) Pag recurring kse mas high risk ka mag ka Rheumatic fever mas delekado na un sa puso :)
 
How are you after the removal of your tonsils?


It's hard to talk. I communicate via typing on my phone and showing it to the person I'm talking to. And then soft food lang ang puede na white like Vanilla Ice cream and chicken noodles. No brown or black colored stuff kase if there's any bleeding in the throat, hindi madedetermine if it's food that I ate or blood. I was like that for 2 weeks :)
 
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