What Are Tonsil Stones, and Why Do I Have Them?

Our tonsils are among the first lines of defense against illness. They work like skimmers or nets, trapping bacteria and viruses as they pass through the throat. But they don't always work the way they're supposed to. On occasion bacteria, dead cells and mucous can become trapped in the crevices of the tonsils, gathering and hardening into small white or yellowish stones called tonsil stones.

These stones, also known as tonsilloliths are accumulated bits of food, post-nasal drip and bacteria that collect in and around the tonsils. These accumulations gather into small, hard, yellowish stones that look like small, almost invisible white spots in the back of your mouth. They can also be caused by overactive salivary glands or a reaction to dairy products.

In fact, until recently many people thought they were small gatherings of plaque, or even bits of food that simply got caught in the back of the throat. Since many of these stones are so small, they can be easily overlooked and sometimes aren't even noticed until they show up on an X-ray or a CT scan.

But how do you know if you have tonsilloliths? The symptoms are unpleasant and can be extremely embarrassing. The most common is the feeling of having something stuck in the back of your throat or a feeling of your throat tightening up. You might have a metallic aftertaste you can't get rid of and of course, foul breath.

There are a variety of treatments for tonsil stones. Some people develop a thorough routine of gargling and frequent brushing, as well as scraping the back of the throat with a toothbrush to manually remove them. You can also reach back with your finger or a cotton swab to gently squeeze them out by brushing from the bottom of the tonsil and pressing upwards. There are many websites with more tips and ideas on how to get rid of them.

There are also surgical treatments. One option is to undergo cryptolysis, where a surgeon will use a laser to remove the stones and smooth away the surface of the tonsil to prevent the further growth of tonsilloliths. But remember, these imperfections in the surface of the tonsil are used to help catch bacteria.

The most drastic procedure is to have your tonsils completely removed. While this will stop the formation of tonsil stones, it won't cure the bad breath left behind, it won't remove the bacteria and it won't completely stop the gathering of stones. All it will do, to be honest, is remove your tonsils. Surgical treatments are also expensive and can take up to a month to fully recover from.

There are other ways to help fight tonsil stones, among them diet and good oral hygiene. Cut back on your dairy intake and don't eat for half an hour before bed to keep food from accumulating. Brush your teeth after you eat and before bed to keep bacteria from gathering, gargle and drink water. Not only will following these tips be good for your mouth and your breath, but good for your body, as well.