Tonsil Stones FAQ

Am I At Risk For Tonsil Stones?

Unless you’ve had your tonsils removed, you could be at risk for tonsilloliths.
People who suffer from recurring bouts of tonsillitis are more likely to develop tonsil stones but anyone can get them.

How Do I Know If I Have Tonsilloliths?

Small tonsil stones are barely noticable but larger ones can produce a range of unpleasant symptoms.

The first is bad breath or halitosis. This can be severe in tonsil stone sufferers owing the build up of sulfur compounds in the tonsils.

Large tonsilloliths can also cause pain though it is often hard to distinguish between the pain on the stones and that of tonsillitis. This pain may often extend into the ear.

Another effect of a large stone is difficulty in swallowing. This is exacerbated by a resulting swelling of the tonsil itself resulting from the stone and perhaps infection too. There is sometimes too a cough as the body attempts to remove the offending items.

Tonsil stones are often hard to see as they’re enfolded in the crevices of the tonsils. If the stone is large enough then it may be clearly visible at the back of the mouth as a white blob.

Are Tonsil Stones Dangerous?

Most of the time, the only symptoms of tonsil stones are bad breath and an unpleasant feeling of something stuck in the back of your mouth. These minor symptoms can last for years and significantly impact the quality of your life. In some cases, tonsilloiths can lead to chronic bouts of tonsillitis resulting in constant pain, fever and malaise.

What are my treatment options?

Your options for dealing with tonsil stones depend upon their size. Smaller tonsilloliths that produce no symptoms can be left alone and checked regularly for any increase in size. There are various home options for removing them but the problem is locating them as they’re hidden in the crevices of your tonsils.

In severe cases when the above remedies don’t work, surgical removal may be necessary. This can generally be done as an out patient using local anaesthetic.

As for prevention, the only sure way is to have your tonsils removed. This is generally done under general anaesthetic and requires several days for recovery. This is a very drastic solution

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