How to Safely Remove Tonsil Stones at Home
If you suffer from foul-smelling chunks of debris stuck in your tonsils, you likely have tonsil stones. While annoying, tonsil stones can often be managed at home using proper removal techniques and tools.
What are Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths) form when trapped food, dead cells, mucus and bacteria calcify in the crevices of your tonsils.
This debris hardens into a solid white or yellow stone that gets lodged in the tonsil crypts, sometimes poking out visibly from the tissue surface. The sulfur compounds produced by the bacteria give tonsil stones a rotten egg odor.
Signs and Symptoms of Tonsil Stones
Many people with tonsil stones experience no symptoms, while some common signs include:
- Bad breath
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Coughing or gagging when stones dislodge
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Visible white dots on tonsils
How to Remove Tonsil Stones at Home
Several methods and tonsil stone removal tools allow you to dislodge stones yourself at home gently without needing surgery. However, always see an ENT if they cause severe pain or difficulty swallowing.
Use a Water Irrigator or Waterpik
Water irrigators and oral irrigators like a Waterpik are commonly used at low pressure to remove tonsil stones. The stream of water can dislodge stones so you can spit them out easily.
Tips for Using an Oral Irrigator
- Use the lowest pressure setting to avoid damage
- Aim the tip carefully at stone locations
- Rinse with salt water after to soothe areas
Try Pressurized Canned Air
Canned air devices allow you to spray concentrated air precisely at embedded tonsil stones to knock them loose gently so they can be expelled from crypts.
Canned Air Removal Tips
- Tilt head sideways or backwards before spraying
- Take care not to inhale while spraying
- Rinse mouth thoroughly after each use
Use a Cotton Swab or Toothbrush
For stones peeking out, a dry cotton swab or soft-bristled toothbrush can be used to gently brush them away. Take care not to break stones into smaller pieces that become lodged deeper.
Cotton Swab/Toothbrush Precautions
- Avoid scrubbing forcefully or excessively
- Don't push debris further into crypts
- Only disturb visible surface stones
Try Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil
Oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic oral hygiene practice, involves swishing oil in the mouth for up to 20 minutes then spitting it out. The oil may help loosen tonsil stones out of crevices.
Coconut oil is often used since its viscosity and emulsifying action seems most effective for dislodging debris and stones over time.
When to Consider Getting Tonsils Removed
If frequent tonsil stones continue causing discomfort and bad breath despite at-home removal efforts, surgical removal may be warranted since crypts harbor bacteria.
Tonsillectomy Surgery Considerations
Full tonsil removal, called tonsillectomy, is generally only performed when necessary since recovery can involve 1-2 weeks of severe throat pain.
However, tonsillectomy may be appropriate if stones are:
- Too large or deep to remove at home
- Causing recurrent tonsil infections
- Linked to illness like strep throat or sleep apnea
An ENT surgeon will determine if benefits outweigh potential surgery risks like pain and bleeding for your unique case.
Alternatives to Full Tonsillectomy
Other less invasive options exist too like:
- Cryptolysis: using laser to smooth tonsil surfaces
- Coblation cryptolysis: reducing crypt depth
These treatments may decrease stone recurrence without needing full removal recovery.
How to Prevent Tonsil Stones from Forming
Practicing good oral hygiene daily, avoiding dairy, drinking lots of water and using saline nasal spray can help reduce tonsil stone recurrence.
Brush Teeth and Tongue Twice Daily
Gently brushing the tongue surface helps remove debris and bacteria that can get trapped. Be careful not to brush the delicate tonsil tissue at the very back of the throat, however.
Rinse Daily with Mouthwash
Using an alcohol-free oral rinse helps maintain good oral pH balance to prevent overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria linked to sulfur compound production in stones.
Consider Avoiding Dairy Products
Lactose intolerance or cow milk allergies can increase mucus production, inflaming tonsils. Limiting dairy may help minimize tonsil irritants.
Increase Daily Water Intake
Staying hydrated thins out mucus naturally made by tonsils preventing thick secretions from getting trapped.
Use Saline Nasal Spray Frequently
Saline spray keeps nasal passages clean allowing less debris to accumulate in the throat over time.
When to Seek Medical Care for Tonsil Stones
Consult an ENT physician promptly if you experience:
- Difficulty or pain swallowing
- Fever or chills
- Swollen tonsils or neck
- Earache or loss of hearing
- Bleeding from the throat
Severe symptoms may indicate medically concerning issues like peritonsillar abscess or infection needing antibiotics. See an ENT right away in these cases.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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