Khaberni - Tonsil stones are small white or yellow deposits that form in the cavities and gaps on the surface of the tonsils as a result of the accumulation of bacteria, saliva, food remnants, and cells of the mouth lining. They gather in the pits and form lumps that may stay for days or weeks before being released.
Although they exist, they remain a fairly unknown condition because they often improve on their own or can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
What are tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are small white or yellow deposits that aggregate in the pits on the surface of the tonsils as a result of the accumulation of bacteria, saliva, food remnants, and mouth lining cells, and sometimes turn into hard lumps that may stay in place or gradually fall off.
The size of the stones can vary from unseen by the naked eye to large, and the consistency is usually soft then may harden to become as hard as rock. The stones sometimes remain for several days or weeks before they disintegrate and exit the tonsils. New stones may appear frequently, possibly several times a month or once or twice a year.
Symptoms of Tonsil Stones
Most often, no symptoms appear in affected people, especially if the stones are small, but they may sometimes cause a sore throat or irritation that feels like something is stuck in the throat and bad breath, as well as coughing and discomfort when swallowing and frequent throat infections.
Who gets tonsil stones?
Anyone with tonsils can get them, however, certain people are more susceptible than others, such as those with uneven and deep crevices on their tonsils, smokers, those who consume large amounts of sugary drinks, those with poor oral hygiene, and those with a family history of tonsil stones.
Treatment of Tonsil Stones
If you have no symptoms, you might not need any treatment. However, if symptoms are present, trying gargling with saltwater or gently removing the stones using a cotton swab or dental floss with water, avoiding the use of sharp or hard tools that could harm the throat or tonsils. If the tonsils are swollen or inflamed, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases, surgery may be an option for those with severe symptoms or recurrent infections that do not improve with simple treatments.
Prevention of Tonsil Stones
To reduce the risk of recurrent stones, it is recommended to clean your teeth and tongue twice a day, use dental floss, perform saltwater mouthwash after eating, and limit sugary foods and drinks that nourish bacteria. It is also advised to avoid smoking and electronic smoking.
