Tonsil Stones – Symptoms and Treatment
Kidneys and gallbladder are not the only sites for stone formation. Stones can even develop in the tonsils. In medical parlance, tonsil stones are known as tonsilloliths. Tonsils are located in pockets at the back of the throat.
These small glands are made of lymphocytes, which act as filters, preventing bacteria and virus from entering the throat. Often debris, mucus and bacteria accumulate in the tonsils. The debris hardens to form stones in the tonsils. Risk of tonsil stones is greater in people prone to recurrent tonsil infection or tonsillitis.
Symptoms of tonsil stones
Symptoms usually do not develop in people with small tonsil stones. However, large tonsil stones could be extremely painful. Bad breath or halitosis that occurs with a throat infection is a common sign of tonsil stone.
Studies have shown that 75 percent of people with tonsil stones suffer from bad breath. Sore throat might be a symptom of tonsil stone. People with tonsil stones experience pain and discomfort in the area of the throat where the stone is lodged.
Tonsil stones appear as white spots in the back of the throat. However, tonsil stones hidden in the tonsil folds might not be visible. These stones are usually detected with CT scan and MRI.
Tonsil stones might make swallowing foods painful. The degree of pain usually depends on the size and location of the stone in the tonsil. Tonsil stones might lead to inflammation and infection of the tonsil. They might even cause ear pain.
Tonsil stone treatment
Tonsil stones usually respond to home remedies. Gargling with warm saline water helps to reduce the discomfort and pain associated with tonsil stones. Antibiotics are usually recommended for healing tonsil stones.
Drink plenty of water and fluid to reduce the discomfort and bad breath. Bad breath could be prevented by chewing sugar free gums. Chewing gums prevent dryness of the mouth and bad breath associated with it by increasing saliva secretion.
People prone to tonsil stones should limit consumption of dairy products. Dairy products could promote accumulation of calcium and mucus in the tonsils. Swabs are often used to remove the stones from the tonsils.
