Cryptic tonsils are deposits of food and bacteria that form in the folds of the tonsils, causing bad breath and chronic sore throat. Treatment options include antibiotics, laser ablation, and surgery. Patients should consult a doctor for an evaluation to rule out other causes of oral health problems.
Cryptic tonsils are deposits of food and bacteria that form in the folds of the tonsils. Some people have tonsils that are unusually wrinkled and tend to trap particles of material, contributing to the development of this condition. A number of terms can be used to refer to this situation, including fetid tonsils, tonsil stones, tonsilloliths, and chronic caseous tonsillitis. There are several treatment options for people with cryptic tonsils, and it’s usually not dangerous; however, it can be uncomfortable and cause social embarrassment due to bad breath.
In someone with cryptic tonsils, the breath tends to smell bad due to material caught in the tissue. The tonsils themselves may be dotted with white dots and the patient may experience chronic sore throat and pain due to infections. Many people seek treatment for this condition because of the bad smell associated with it, and it is usually the patient who notices the smell the most.
Sometimes, treating a patient with antibiotics is enough to fix the problem. Antibiotics kill bacteria in the tonsils and give them time to heal. In other cases, more aggressive treatments may be recommended. These may include laser ablation of the tonsils to remove wrinkled areas so they can’t catch debris or surgery to remove the tonsils altogether. For patients with persistent cryptic tonsils, surgery may become the only option.
Patients with cryptic tonsils may notice that their tonsils often feel enlarged or swollen. By looking at the tonsils in a mirror, the patient may be able to see material trapped on and in the tonsils. Tonsils with deep crypts can make eating difficult if a patient develops frequent sore throats and the tonsils are extremely large; sometimes airway blockages may also occur. Breath usually smells bad even after brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash because the material inside the tonsils will still be present.
Patients should be aware that many things can cause sore throats and bad breath. Even if someone thinks cryptic tonsils are the cause of recurring oral health problems, a doctor or dentist should still be consulted for an evaluation. A doctor can rule out other causes, including more malignant conditions, and offer treatment advice that may help. Oral health issues that aren’t addressed can contribute to the development of serious medical complications, including blood poisoning.
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