People who have their tonsils removed at any age may find that they actually get sick more often. They may not get tonsillitis but they may be prone to conditions such as bacterial or even viral infections, bronchitis, colds and upper repository infections are just some of the conditions that the tonsils help the immune system protect us from.

Tonsils are immature for the most part until the body reaches puberty where they tend to go through some deterioration after that. Tonsils tend to be larger in younger children and that is why younger children undergo tonsil removal. It helps them swallow better and breathe better. But because the tonsils are there to help with our immune system, some doctors will only remove them if they are severely infected and 100% need to be removed.

Most doctors will remove the tonsils if there are numerous cases or tonsillitis, Tonsil stones or adenotonsillar hyperplasic, which will cause partial upper airway restriction or obstruction. Back in the day, it seemed like doctors performed more tonsillectomies but today it seems that number has decreased. About 99% of the time it seems like we are not even aware of out tonsils, let alone know they are actually keeping us healthy.

It seems like a catch 22, if we leave our tonsils in then we are susceptible to tonsillitis and tonsil stones but if we have them removed we are prone to get sick with colds and upper respiratory infections. It is a wise decision to let the doctor make the call for us. They know the risks and the benefits of taking them out and leaving them in. If your situation arises where a decision has to be made, think about the pros and cons of both ways. You doctor can help you make the right decision.

If you have a Tonsil Stone, you would know it. They feel like something is stuck in the back of your mouth. They can be found usually outside the wisdom teeth and jaw. They can be a little comfortable but they are harmless and painless. For people who suffer from Halitosis or bad breath, this may be a reason why. If you are doing your own mouth inspection for these stones, you will be looking for while calcifications on the tonsil located on the sides of the mouth. You may also find them on the roof of the mouth and the throat.

They are not easy to spot on your own, they may be very small in size, but your dentist will be able to see them as well as your doctor. You may be able to tell if you have tonsil stones by the symptoms, chronic coughing, sore throat, you have to pay attention because this is also a symptom of tonsillitis. One way to tell the difference if you can is the soreness if you have Tonsil Stones will come from the area in your mouth where the stones are located.

You may also see what they call White Debris. As we mentioned these stones are white in color and may be visible to the eye. But they may not always appear in the same place. They may hid in the fold of the Tonsil and the only way to confirm their existence is to have the doctor use a scanning machine to test.

You may also experience a bad taste in your throat or as we mentioned bad breath. Some people may experience some minor ear pain, tonsils can appear anywhere in the tonsil area. The fact that these share the same nerve pathway, it can cause some discomfort to the ear. You may experience some Tonsil Swelling as well; as the stones take shape they may become inflamed, so be on the look out for these symptoms. See your doctor right away.

In the case of Tonsil Stones, you can remove them. Sounds unreal, but it really can be done. You will need a curved medicine dropper, the idea is simple. Just suck the tonsil stones out by using the medicine dropper. It may take a while but it has been known to work. If the stones developed inside the tonsils then you would not be able to remove them yourself. What might happen is that they may erupt from the tonsils themselves when they are ready.

If the medicine dropper is not your idea of fun, then you could use some kind of pulsating irrigation to clean out the stones. You could use a water pick with a steady stream of water to rid the tonsil stones. Or you could use a water solution of warm water and salt to flush out the stones. You could also invest in a Nasal and Throat Irrigation System, this works great. Using the irrigator tip that comes with the system, it is necessary to clean out the stones.

Now, if self-treatment is not for you, then the surgical treatment may be the best route. It is an aggressive way to treat the stones. In this procedure the doctor will use a tool called the Curette. This is a digging type tool that is used to help get rid of the stones. You may have heard this term when referring to earwax removal, it is actually the same tool. But it is just as effective on stones as it is for earwax.

These may be some short-term solutions; if you are looking for more of a long lasting solution then you may want to try laser resurfacing or a laser tonsillectomy. The doctor will use a local anesthesia and they will use a scanned carbon dioxide laser, they will vaporize the stones but they will remove the surface of the tonsils. By doing this procedure, the crevices in the tonsils will be scraped clean and flattened out so they can no longer hide the stones. In addition the stones can no longer form there.

Consult your doctor and discuss any form of treatment that they may find suitable to your condition. Go over the pros and cons and if there are any questions or any concerns that you have discuss them. You don’t want to go into a treatment without knowing all of the information.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Tonsil Stones (The appropriate medical term is Tonsillolith).
Question 1 : What is a tonsil stone?

A tonsil stone is a piece or a cluster of pieces of calculi that form in crypts, pits, or crevasses in the tonsil area. Calculi are made up of calcium salts such as oxalates, magnesium salts, hydroxyapatite and other ammonium containing radicals. The medical term for tonsil stones is “Tonsillolith”. The stones generally consist of food particles, leukocytes or dead white blood cells, bacteria that enters into the mouth, and excess saliva from overactive salivary glands. Bacteria growth, fungi, and the digestive enzymes found in saliva begin to break down food trapped in the tonsils. Starch and carbohydrates are eaten away and leave the firmer harder parts of food particles in the tonsils to form stones.
Question 2 : What do tonsil stones look like?

Tonsillolith or Tonsil Stones are small and off-white in color, similar in size and appearance to sesame seeds. They generally have a very pungent odor comparable to halitosis, or bad breath caused by bacteria in the throat. Tonsil Stones are often found lodged between the wisdom teeth and the temporomandibular joint of the jaw. They are often first noticed because they can become an uncomfortable nuisance.

picture of tonsil stone removed

Pictured Above : Tonsillolith / Tonsil Stone Removed

tonsillolith tonsil stone stuck in tonsil

Pictured Above : Tonsil Stone Stuck in tonsil Crypts

Question 3 : Are Tonsil Stones a Health Risk? What are the symptoms?

They may be an especially uncomfortable nuisance, but are not often harmful.  Tonsil stones and the formation of tonsilloliths occurs in adults much more often than in children. Some will notice non-specific symptoms such as chronic cough, sore throat, and ear ache. Many first notice their tonsil stones when they notice a foreign body in the back of the throat that can be uncomfortable and from the constant foul breath. In small childre tonsil stones are often accompanied by bad breath, swallowing pain, and reflex ear pain. Generally tonsillolith is asymptomatic and is only noticed when small tonsilloliths are found in the saliva. Giant tonsilloliths are much more rare than typical tonsil stones and are often mistaken as tonsil tumors, known as peritonsillar abscess.
Question 4 : What is Cryptic Tonsillitis and why does it cause Tonsil Stones?

Cryptic Tonsillitis occurs when deep crypts or pits form in the surface of the tonsil.  These deep pits collect fluids and solids that are broken down by enzymes and turned into tonsilloliths or tonsil stones.  Tonsil stones often protrude out from the crypts.

A water pick (irrigator) with a low pressure tongue-cleaner attachment can be used to clear debris out of the crypts in the tonsil and is an effective method to clear out existing tonsil stones and preventing new ones from forming.

A toothbrush, ear curette, or q-tip can be used to dislodge tonsilloliths, however many find discomfort and experience a gagging sensation.

The stone can be removed using a surgical procedure with an oral curette.

surgical curette used for removing tonsil stones

Pictured Above : Oral Curette used for removing Tonsillolith

In some cases when the calculus (tonsil stone cluster) is lodged deep inside the tonsil and large in size, a tonsillectomy or tonsillotomy can be called for. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are completely removed. A tonsillotomy is when an incision is made into the tonsils or a portion of the tonsils are removed surgically.

Laser resurfacing, also known as laser tonsillotomy or laser tonsillectomy is a long term treatment option. This scanned carbon dioxide laser procedure can be performed under local anesthesia; the laser vaporizes the surface of the tonsils, leaving them flat and smooth and free of pits and crypts.