What Are Tonsil Stones, and How Do I Get Rid of Them?

Tonsil stones are a fairly common condition and don’t pose a significant health risk. However, they can be uncomfortable, and if you have them, you probably are curious as to how to get rid of them.

What Are Tonsil Stones?

Woman with a sore throat resting at home.

Tonsil stones are also called tonsilloliths or tonsilliths. They are hard white or yellow formations that develop on the tonsils. Your tonsils contain crevices or pits called tonsil crypts. They work to trap bacteria, viruses, and germs as a way to help your immune system fight infections.

Some people have deeper tonsil crypts than others. This makes it easier for things like bacteria, food particles, mucus and other debris to build up, which can lead to tonsil stones.

How to Know if You Have Tonsil Stones

If you have smaller tonsil stones, you might not know that they are there. Larger stones tend to be more symptomatic, and you may experience the following:

Sore throat
Bad breath
Chronic cough
Ear pain
Trouble swallowing
Swollen or enlarged tonsils
Noticeable white or yellow debris on your tonsils

Why Do I Have These?

In addition to having deeper tonsil crypts, there may be a few additional factors that can make you more prone to developing tonsil stones. These include:

Large tonsils
Chronic sinus issues
Chronic tonsillitis

Tonsil stones have also been associated with poor oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing and taking good care of your teeth and gums can help reduce bacteria and remove particles from your mouth. However, there are people who practice good oral hygiene who develop stones regardless.

Does Having Tonsil Stones Mean I’ll Develop Kidney Stones Too?

No. Despite similar names, tonsil stones are not the same as kidney stones or gallstones, nor are they a sign of any underlying condition. Research has shown that having tonsil stones does not make it more likely that you develop stones in other parts of the body like your kidneys or gallbladder.

Treatment Options and Home Remedies

Some people can rid themselves of tonsil stones without meaning to after a particularly powerful cough. However, other purposeful methods of removal exist, including:

Gargling with salt water
Antibiotics that are prescribed by a doctor and can be filled at Holistic Care Pharmacy or another New Jersey drugstore.
Laser resurfacing to smooth out the crevices in your tonsils
Tonsillectomy, which is the surgical removal of your tonsils. This is only done for severe or chronic cases that don’t respond to other treatments.

For more information or to have your tonsils checked out by one of our specialists, call Advanced ENT & Allergy today.