How To Cure Bad Breath: A Look at Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)

Are you plagued by bad breath? Do others recoil when you speak to them? Do you suffer from sore throats? Your problem could be a little-known but suprisingly common condition known as tonsil stones. Other names for this disgusting condition are tonsilloliths, tonsillar debris, tonsillar pearl, tonsil rocks, throat stones or calculus of the tonsil.

Tonsil stones are white or yellowish foul smelling clumps that stick to or in your tonsils. If you have the frequent feeling that something is stuck at the back of your throat, perhaps it’s time to grab a mirror, open wide and take a look.

The problem is, you may not see them if they’re small as they may be concealed in the crevices of your tonsils. There’s no concealing the smell, though. If you're looking for a bad breath remedy, you need to check out your tonsils.

But before learning all about tonsil stones, let’s get our anatomy clear.

What Are Your Tonsils?

Your tonsils are located on either side of the back of your throat and serve as filters to trap incoming pathogens and impurities. Medical specialists consider tonsils to be somewhat vestigial dating back to a time when man had fewer bacteria to contend with.

That tonsils are not really necessary for modern man is supported by the fact that the most children who have their tonsils removed remain perfectly health and don’t suffer from more infections than those who keep their tonsils.

In fact, your tonsils can often seem more a hindrance than a benefit as they can trap bacteria and viruses leading to many problems. One of these problems is that of tonsil stones known in the trade as tonsilloliths, and they are one of the major causes of bad breath.

What Are Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)?

Your tonsils are designed to trap and process incoming debris and are covered with folds, pockets and crevices for this purpose. The trouble is that various substances tend to collect here and cause problems.

Other than various pathogens, these substances include food particles, mucous and various dead cells shed by in the oral cavity. Added to this are breathed in particles of all description - dust, small insects, pollen, anything found in the air.As these substances build up in the pockets of the tonsils, they solidify into a solid white mass which is the tonsil ’stone’.

To find out more about tonsil stones, read the Tonsil Stones FAQ