Tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones, are small calcium deposits that form in the tonsil crevices and can cause bad breath and discomfort. They can be treated with home remedies or surgery, and prevention methods include good oral hygiene and tonsil removal.
Tonsilloliths is the medical term for a tonsil stone, or small deposit of calcium, bacteria, and mucus that forms in the crevices of the tonsils in the back of the throat. In appearance, tonsil stones are usually white to whitish-yellow in color and irregular in shape. They often give off a bad smell similar to bad breath, caused by bacteria in the throat. Tonsilloliths aren’t particularly harmful, but they can become annoying and cause chronic bad breath if left untreated.
Tonsil stones occur when bacteria trapped in the crevices, or tonsil crypts, calcify. While small, subtle tonsilloliths are quite common, larger calcified stones are much rarer. The problem is more common in adults than in children, particularly in smokers and individuals prone to inflammation of the tonsils and chronic tonsillitis.
Small tonsilloliths often don’t cause any symptoms and can only be discovered accidentally through X-rays or testing for other conditions. When symptoms are present, it usually means that the tonsillolith has grown large enough to protrude and irritate the throat. Common symptoms of these large tonsil stones include increased cough, metallic taste in the mouth, choking, bad breath, painful or difficult swallowing, sore throat, swelling, tonsil infection, and visible white debris at the back of the throat.
In many cases, a tonsillolith will not require special treatment, particularly when there are no symptoms. The stone will eventually come off on its own. If tonsil stone becomes uncomfortable, there are several home treatments used to address the problem. Sometimes a cotton swab is used to manually remove the stone, and salt water gargles are also effective in removing the tonsillolith and relieving the discomfort. If your tonsilloliths become very large, painful, or symptomatic, you may need to see a doctor.
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat tonsilloliths, although they cannot treat the underlying cause of the condition and can also cause side effects. As a last resort, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove tonsil stones. This treatment is only necessary when a stone is large or infected and cannot be removed by any other method.
If an individual is prone to forming tonsil stones, the best prevention method is to completely remove the tonsils through a procedure known as a tonsillectomy. During this surgery, tonsil tissue is removed, eliminating the possibility of tonsilloliths forming. Other forms of prevention include gargling with antibacterial mouthwash, flossing and brushing your teeth several times a day, and generally keeping your mouth and throat free of debris.
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