Using Tonsil Washes to Remove Stones | Treatment Guide

Using a Tonsil Wash to Remove Stones

If you suffer from foul-smelling tonsil stones, you may have wondered about using a tonsil wash or gargle to flush them out. Tonsil washes and oral rinses are commonly touted as a safe, easy home remedy for dislodging pesky tonsiloliths.

But how exactly do you perform a tonsil wash? And is gargling with salt water or other homemade potions truly effective for banishing tonsil stones for good? Let’s take a closer look at how to correctly use tonsil washes, as well as when more advanced treatment may be needed.

What is a Tonsil Wash?

A tonsil wash refers to rinsing out the tonsil crypts using an oral rinse solution like salt water. The goal is to flush away debris like trapped food particles, bacteria and tonsil stones that collect in the crevices of your tonsils.

Gargling is thought to dislodge stones through the mechanical pressure of the liquid, allowing them to be spit out. The salt, baking soda or apple cider vinegar in homemade rinses may also help kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and balance pH levels.

How to Perform a DIY Tonsil Rinse

If you want to try irrigating your tonsils at home, here are some easy methods:

1. Mix up a salt water, baking soda or apple cider vinegar solution. The standard ratio is 1 teaspoon (5mL) per 8 ounce (250mL) cup of warm water.
2. Take a mouthful of the mixture and swish it around, targeting your tonsils. Gargle for 30 seconds up to a minute.
3. Tilt your head back and open your mouth wide to allow the liquid to flush over your tonsils.
4. Spit the rinse out (this may include loose stones and debris).
5. Repeat the gargle 2-3 times per session.

Aim to use your tonsil wash 1-2 times per day until stones stop recurring. Don’t push too hard if gagging occurs.

Are Tonsil Washes Effective for Removing Stones?

The Pros

Why are tonsil washes recommended by so many health sites for eliminating tonsilloliths? There are a few benefits to this approach:

• Low cost - All you need is water and salt, vinegar or baking soda which most people have at home already.
• Easy to implement - It only takes a few minutes to mix up the rinse and gargle.
• Low risk - Unlike poking at your tonsils, gargling carries little chance of injury when done gently.
• Can dislodge stones - The pressure of the liquid can flush out debris and stones from tonsil crypts.

The Cons

However, there are also some drawbacks to relying solely on a tonsil wash:

• Doesn’t prevent stone formation
• Stones may be too large or lodged too deep to dislodge
• Can provoke gag reflex in some people
• May just push stones deeper into crypts in some cases
• Doesn’t eliminate the bacteria contributing to tonsil stone growth
• Stones often recur because underlying cause isn’t addressed

While gargling can remove some superficial debris, it fails to treat the root cause of stone development for many people. Using tonsil washes alone may provide only temporary relief in these cases.

When to Consider More Advanced Tonsil Stone Treatment

Tonsil washes can be included as part of your management plan, but should not be the only weapon in your arsenal against troublesome tonsiloliths. If you regularly experience symptoms like:

• Foul breath that doesn’t resolve with oral hygiene measures
• Large or clustered white deposits in your tonsils
• Pain or discomfort when swallowing
• Repeated tonsil infections

Then it’s time to consider additional options alongside gargling. Leaving underlying tonsil problems untreated can allow more severe issues to develop over time.

Seeing Your Doctor for Tonsil Stones

Start by making an appointment with your general practitioner or ENT doctor. They will examine your mouth and throat area for signs of tonsil disease and enlarged or infected stones needing removal.

Based on their findings, the doctor may recommend:

• Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is contributing to stone development
• Steroid nasal spray if post-nasal drip is exacerbating the issue
• In-office manual stone extraction using specialized tools to clear large stones
• Surgery such as laser cryptolysis or tonsillectomy for severe recurrent cases unresponsive to other treatments

When to Consider Getting Your Tonsils Removed

Tonsillectomy used to be extremely common, but nowadays doctors reserve the surgery for when:

• Stones are too large or deeply embedded to remove easily
• Throat/tonsil infections keep recurring despite antibiotic treatment
• Enlarged tonsils obstruct breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)
• Cancerous tumors develop in the tonsils

As an adult, recovering from tonsil removal can be challenging and uncomfortable. But for some patients, it’s the only definitive way to resolve chronic problems like recurrent tonsil stones once and for all.

Preventing Tonsil Stones After Surgery

Without your tonsils, most of the pitted tissue where stone-forming debris gets trapped is eliminated. But small fragments can sometimes remain after surgery.

To discourage new stone formation, keep practicing good oral hygiene like brushing twice a day, flossing and gently rinsing your mouth with salt water. Stay hydrated to avoid dry mouth and watch what you eat to reduce particles that can get lodged in your throat.

If you do notice occasional stones, try gargling with salt water or getting a debriding tool to loosen them. But tonsillectomies greatly reduce the tonsil crevices where food and bacteria can accumulate into calcified balls.

The Takeaway

Tonsil washes alone may not cure everyone’s tonsil stone woes. But used as part of a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan, salt water or baking soda rinses can help ease some symptoms.

Schedule an exam with your doctor if recurrent tonsilloliths are diminishing your quality of life. They can determine if more invasive stone removal methods or tonsil reduction procedures may be the best way forward. Catching problems early gives you more treatment options to hopefully kiss tonsil stones goodbye!

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.