Tonsils are part of the mouth and throat that prevent infections by trapping viruses and bacteria and blocking them from entering other parts of the body. However, some people’s tonsils have deep fissures that can harbor small food particles and bacteria. Now, tonsil stones form when calcium is deposited on these food particles and bacteria that accumulate in the crevices. Although these are not harmful, they can cause bad breath, difficulty swallowing, and bad breath. Preventing their formation can reduce these symptoms. How can I prevent tonsil stones? Some home remedies may help, but in severe cases, only medication or surgery can help. This article explains what tonsil stones are, their causes, symptoms, and how to prevent stone formation. read!
What are tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones, also called “tonsil stones” in medical terms, are small, hard lumps that form due to the accumulation of debris in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils. It contains bacteria, food particles, dead cells, and hard minerals such as calcium. Approximately 1.3% of people experience tonsil stones. What do tonsil stones look like? Well, they look like yellow or white pebbles in the area of the tonsils and there can be one or more. They are also usually small in size, but can grow in size. There’s nothing to worry about, but it can cause symptoms such as bad breath, difficulty swallowing, and a sore throat.
What causes tonsil stones?
Tiny food particles, mucus, bacteria, and dead cells that accumulate in the tonsil crypts, also called tonsil folds, cause tonsil stones. If the tonsil crypts are large, minerals such as calcium are deposited on them, and the deposition hardens them and turns them into stones. Certain risk factors can cause tonsil stones, including:
- Chronic tonsillitis (characterized by tonsillitis)
- poor dental hygiene
- chronic sinus problems
- large tonsils
- Medicines that cause dry mouth
What are the symptoms of tonsil stones?
the study Tonsil stones may be small and asymptomatic (meaning they do not show any symptoms). These can be diagnosed during the following periods: dental x-ray photography process. If you have large tonsil stones, you may experience the following symptoms:
Preventing the recurrence of disastrous tonsil stones can help eliminate these potential symptoms. The following section describes the best approach. please look!
How can I prevent tonsil stones from forming?
How can I remove and prevent tonsil stones? We have listed some effective ways to prevent these small lumps from coming back. The main tips are:
1. Brush your teeth regularly
If you’re looking for a natural way to prevent tonsil stones, what better way than by maintaining good dental hygiene? Good oral hygiene plays an important role in maintaining oral health. , which reduces the number of bacteria and causes tonsil stones. Therefore, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day (in the morning and before bed) and floss daily to get rid of bad breath and cavities. Flossing and brushing can help reduce bad bacteria in your mouth. When there are fewer bacteria in the mouth, there is less risk of bacteria building up in the crevices of the tonsils and the chance of developing tonsil stones.
2. Gargle with salt water
Gargling with warm salt water is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of tonsil stones. At the same time, it also relieves sore throat. Gargling with warm salt water washes away bacteria that accumulate in the crevices of your tonsils, which is the main cause of stone formation. Salt changes the acidity in your mouth, making it difficult for viruses and bacteria to breed in the crevices. Additionally, it also reduces tonsil inflammation. Mix salt with a glass of lukewarm water to make a saltwater gargle, gargle for about 30 minutes, then spit it out. Do this several times, especially after meals, to remove food particles, bacteria, and dead cells.
3. Rinse with mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash once or twice a day can reduce your risk of developing tonsil stones. Be sure to use a high-quality therapeutic mouthwash. These kill bacteria in the mouth and prevent tonsil stones from recurring. When choosing a mouthwash, look for one that’s labeled alcohol- or ethanol-free, and also look for active ingredients like peroxide and cetylpyridinium chloride, which can help lower the risk of stone formation. Cosmetic mouthwashes should not be used as they are rich in ethanol and can cause certain problems such as bad breath, dry throat, and sensitivity to tonsil stones.
4. Use cotton swabs
If you notice small tonsil stones on the surface of the back of your throat, you can remove them using a cotton swab. To do this, dampen a cotton swab with saline or water and press it smoothly onto the specific small tonsil stone. Then press upwards to remove the stone. Be careful not to put too much pressure on tonsil stones. Tonsil stones can break up and the stones can become lodged deep into the crevices of the tonsils.
5. Try a waterpik
A waterpik is an effective device to prevent tonsil stones from recurring. This machine uses a direct stream of water to clean your gums and teeth, removing built-up bacteria that can cause stones. Fill a container with warm water and direct the stream of water at the stone. Be sure to start the process at low pressure and gradually increase the pressure until no stones are removed. Also, make sure to direct the water stream at a right angle to avoid hurting your throat.
6. Avoid alcohol use
Alcohol affects your body not only in the short term but also in the long term. The short-term effect is that you may have to pee more often, which can lead to dehydration. Furthermore, according to the study, alcohol can also change the concentration of saliva. It can cause dryness in your mouth. Both of these factors can dry out your throat and mouth, cause bacterial growth, and increase the likelihood of stones forming in your tonsils.
7. Quit smoking
Smoking affects the entire body, including the tonsils.a study It states that smoking reduces mucosal immunity, decreases saliva production, and severely impacts the overall oral microbiome. These changes in oral health lead to an increase in tonsil infections. Additionally, it causes chronic inflammation in the throat and mouth and changes the number of bacteria in the mouth. All these changes put your oral health at risk for tonsil stones.
8. Drink lots of water
Drinking plenty of water is very important for optimal health. However, it can also prevent stones from forming again. how? Staying hydrated throughout the day helps maintain the balance of oral bacteria. This means that the less bacteria you have in your mouth, the lower your risk of developing tonsil stones. Also, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will cleanse your tonsils regularly. This prevents debris from getting into the tonsil crevices. Additionally, water can also remove bacteria and dead cells from your tonsils.
9. Gargle with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is well known for its acidic properties that help break down tonsil stones and remove them completely. Prepare a solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of lukewarm water. Gently gargle with this mixture for about 30 seconds. Repeat this process over and over again until the tonsil stones no longer dissolve. However, it is important to be careful not to use it raw, as it can irritate the throat and mouth and cause a burning sensation. Instead, dilute it with water before use.
However, if these approaches are not effective in preventing tonsil stones and they keep coming back, your health care provider may recommend other options, including medications and therapy. We have explained them in the sections below.
How can I permanently prevent tonsil stones?
There are non-surgical and surgical options for treating permanent tonsil stones. Your health care professional may prescribe certain medications, such as antibiotics, to help reduce the number of bacteria that cause tonsil stones. Additionally, if the symptoms are severe, surgery may be recommended. There are three main steps to remove tonsil stones:
-
Tonsillectomy: In this surgery, a specialist removes your tonsils. However, although this is an effective method, bleeding may occur and recovery time may vary.
- Laser tonsil decoding: If you want to keep your tonsils, try laser tonsil decoding. Instead of removing the tonsils, the specialist cleans only the trapped crypts.
- Coblation tonsil dissection: This procedure uses radiofrequency waves to treat the gaps in the tonsils where stones grow. Like laser TC, it cannot be used for tonsil removal.
summary
In this article, you will learn how to prevent tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are small, hard lumps that usually grow in the crevices of your tonsils. Although these are harmless, they can cause unpleasant symptoms such as bad breath, sore throat, ear pain, and difficulty swallowing. You can get rid of them with natural approaches such as cotton swabs, apple cider vinegar, regular tooth brushing, gargling with salt water, rinsing with mouthwash, drinking plenty of water, and quitting alcohol and smoking. However, if the formation persists again, you should consult a doctor. Your specialist may suggest some antibiotics to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth or, if your symptoms are severe, recommend surgery for permanent treatment.
Related article: How to remove tonsil stones?
FAQ
What causes tonsil stones and how can they be prevented?
Debris that forms in the tonsils causes tonsil stones. You can prevent tonsil stones by brushing your teeth, gargling with salt water, swabbing with cotton buds, gargling with apple cider vinegar, and avoiding alcohol and smoking.
How can I prevent tonsil stones from recurring?
Try tips like quitting smoking, brushing your teeth twice regularly, gargling with apple cider vinegar and salt water, coughing, and using cotton swabs.
How to prevent bad breath caused by tonsil stones?
Use mouthwash, brush your teeth regularly, drink plenty of water, try salt water gargles, and visit your dentist.
How can I prevent nausea when removing tonsil stones?
When removing tonsil stones, avoid touching the middle part of the throat as this will stimulate the gag reflex.
How can I permanently prevent tonsil stones?
The only way to permanently prevent tonsil stones is a tonsillectomy, where your doctor permanently removes your tonsils.
How can I prevent tonsil stones early?
Use cotton swabs, cough, gargle with salt water, use a waterpik, and avoid alcohol and smoking.
How can I prevent tonsil stones without surgery?
By practicing good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth regularly, flossing once a day to remove stuck food, and cleaning your tongue to remove bacterial buildup, you can eliminate tonsils without surgery. Stones can be prevented.
