How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones In South Africa

Overview

Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are calcified masses that can form on your palatine tonsils. There are three types of tonsils:

palatine – on the sides of your throat
pharyngeal – at the back of your throat
lingual – found at the back, or base, of your tongue

What most people call their tonsils are the palatine tonsils, which you can see at the back of your mouth or top of your throat.

Tonsil stones are caused by food particles, bacteria, and mucus getting trapped in small pockets on your tonsils. The particles and bacteria can get trapped due to improper oral hygiene or the structure of one’s tonsils. When this trapped material builds up, it can cause swelling and soreness. Many people have tonsil stones removed when they become painful. Some complications caused by tonsil stones may include:

swelling
feeling of an obstruction at the top of your throat
foul smell and bad breath from the infection that increases over time
difficulty breathing if they become big enough to block the airway
pain when swallowing, eating, or drinking

How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones In South Africa

When you first notice your tonsil stones and they’re small, you may be able to remove them with natural remedies. Bacteria and infection are the primary issues behind tonsil stones, so antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatments may help to remove them.

Apple cider vinegar or any vinegar. Dilute with water and gargle. Vinegar is supposed to be able to break down the stones because of its acidic content.
Garlic. Studies have shown that garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It may combat bacterial growth and infection.
Cotton swab or finger. If you can see the tonsil stone, you may be able to remove it by gently pressing on the tonsil with a cotton swab. Do this very carefully as it may cause additional infection if done aggressively or if the stone’s larger. Gargle with salt water immediately after you remove a tonsil stone this way. You shouldn’t do this unless the stone is easy to reach and small.
Coughing. Depending on the size of the stone, coughing could help to dislodge a stone in some cases.
Essential oils. Some oils have anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties. Examples are myrrh, thieves oil, and lemongrass. These may be able to help reduce or eliminate your tonsil stones. Dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil and place one or two drops on a toothbrush before brushing the stones. Be sure to follow the directions for each specific oil. Because of the number of bacteria, it’s recommended that you don’t use this toothbrush going forward.
Salt water. One study shows that rinsing with salt water is an effective treatment of oral wounds.
Yogurt. Eating yogurt that contains probiotics may be able to counteract the bacteria causing tonsil stones.
Apples. While not a scientifically proven treatment, it is thought that the acidic content of apples may help combat the bacteria in a tonsil stone.
Carrots. Chewing carrots helps increase saliva and the production of natural antibacterial processes. This may help reduce or eliminate your tonsil stones.
Onions. Onions are believed to contain strong antibacterial properties. Including them in your diet may help prevent or eliminate tonsil stones.

Shop for apple cider vinegar, essential oils, toothbrushes, and dental floss now.

Most of these natural remedies may only work on smaller tonsil stones or to help prevent them from occurring.

Precautions

If your tonsil stones are large, causing you excessive pain, or are obstructing your throat or airway, you should seek medical attention. Also, if you’ve tried to remedy the stones at home and they don’t go away or keep coming back, you should see a doctor. Trying to scrape them off with a cotton swab or your finger can sometimes make the infection worse. If this happens, you should seek medical attention.

You should see a doctor if your tonsil stones persist, continue to get larger, or if they’re large. If you’re having difficulty breathing, head to the nearest emergency room. You should also see a doctor immediately if you have a combination of the following symptoms of possible tonsil cancer:

one tonsil is larger than the other
bloody saliva
difficulty swallowing or speaking
inability to tolerate eating citrus
neck pain
swelling or lump in the neck

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main cause of tonsil stones?

How do you get a tonsil stone out?

In most cases, removing a tonsil stone can be done at home. Using a cotton swab, gently push on the tonsil, behind the stone, to force the stone out. Vigorous coughing and gargling can dislodge stones, as well. Once the stone is out, gargle with salt water, to remove any remaining bacteria

Do tonsils stones go away?

In most cases, tonsil stones are harmless and will go away with proper oral hygiene and at-home removal.

How do you dissolve tonsil stones naturally?

Gargling with diluted apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help break down the materials in the tonsil stones. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and gargle. Doing so up to three times a day may help loosen the stones over time.

How does Q Tip get rid of tonsil stones?

Firstly, wet the end of the q-tip (makes it more sticky to the stone) and press against the bottom of the stone trying to pop them out of place. Using a mirror and a flashlight can help. An electric toothbrush tends to work a little better due to the vibration. Try to get under the stone and loosen them out.

Are tonsil stones normal?

Tonsil stones are common. They rarely cause serious health problems. Many people have tonsil stones and don’t even know they have them. You can treat them at home.

How long do tonsil stones last?

Tonsil stones may dislodge or dissolve on their own in a short time. Tonsil stones may last for weeks if bacteria continue to grow on the tonsils due to tonsil stones deep in the throat. If tonsil stones are ignored and left in place without lifestyle changes, they may last for years.

What happens if you swallow a tonsil stone?

In most cases, tonsil stones do not require any treatment, as they detach themselves naturally from the tonsils, and can be swallowed without even being noticed. However, when there is pain, discomfort, or bad breath due to tonsil stones, certain treatments may be recommended.

Does everyone get tonsil stones?

In most cases, they aren’t of concern to your health. Some people may never get a tonsil stone, while others may get several a week without issue. Remember that just because you have bad breath doesn’t mean you have tonsil stones. There are many causes of bad breath, and tonsil stones are among the less likely reasons.

Do certain foods cause tonsil stones?

Foods such as popcorn, sesame seeds, and spinach that leave small pieces stuck in the throat settle over the tonsils or in the crypts (hollow spaces) surrounding the tonsils, and can accumulate over time to form stones, along with irritating the throat in case of tonsillitis.

What do tonsil stones smell like?

Tonsil stones are common and most of the time fall out on their own or before you notice them, but in other cases they linger and cause pain, swelling, or a foul-smelling sulfide odor.

How do you find a hidden tonsil stone?

One of the most common ways people find out they have tonsil stones is by spotting these growths while looking in the mirror. “You may notice them when flossing your teeth,” Setlur says. But in other cases tonsil stones are not visible to the naked eye.

How do you get rid of tonsil stones without gagging?

Salt water gargles can help dislodge tonsil stones. The most common recipe for salt water gargles is to dissolve a teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Put some of the salt water in your mouth and tip your head back slightly—not too much to stretch your neck. Gargle for a few seconds and then spit it out

Can you pop a tonsil stone?

Fortunately, you can easily remove them at home. The Mayo Clinic recommends gently pushing on the tonsil with a cotton swab or your toothbrush until the stone pops out. People who get them all the time could also consider getting their tonsils outright removed.

Can tonsil stones block your ears?

When they do cause symptoms these may include bad breath, sore/uncomfortable throat, soreness with swallowing, ear pain (by blocking the eustachian tube which is a canal that connects the middle ear to the upper part of the back of the throat to allow air pressure in the ear to become equalized), cough

What mouthwash is good for tonsil stones?

Using an antibacterial mouthwash may help reduce oral bacteria and plaque, both of which may contribute to the formation of tonsil stones. The American Dental Association advise people to look for a mouthwash that contains the following active ingredients: cetylpyridinium chloride.

Do tonsil stones smell?

Tonsil stones are rarely a serious problem; in fact, most people don’t even know they have them. Sometimes, however, they can cause unpleasant or painful symptoms. These include: Bad breath — Tonsil stones can have a foul odor, making severe bad breath one of the main symptoms.

Should I leave tonsil stones alone?

Tonsil stones are hardened accumulations in the pits of the tonsils. You shouldn’t remove them at home because you may damage the delicate tissue, but some home remedies and medical treatments can reduce their severity.

Can Apple cider vinegar dissolve tonsil stones?

Gargling with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution may also help to dissolve and dislodge tonsil stones. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and gently gargle using the same method mentioned above.

Why do tonsil stones keep coming back?

Studies show that people who get recurrent (or repeat) episodes of tonsillitis are also more likely to develop tonsil stones. This is because tonsillitis can scar the surface of your tonsils — creating more folds and cavities to trap bacteria and other debris.

What happens if you leave tonsil stones untreated?

If left untreated, tonsil stones can lead to severe throat and ear pain. Chronic tonsil stones can lead to the removal of the tonsils, which are a vital part of the immune system.

Why do I keep getting tonsil stones even though I brush my teeth?

Causes of tonsil stones are many, but often it does come down to poor oral hygiene as a primary cause. Food, bacteria, mucus, and dead skin can all become “trapped” on the way down; however, if a patient has good oral hygiene such as regular brushing and the use of mouthwash, it makes tonsil stones much more unlikely.

Can dehydration cause tonsil stones?

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can keep tonsil stones from forming. Water can also increase natural saliva production and help to change the chemistry in your mouth.