How to remove tonsil stones? and what are tonsil stones?
Tonsils stones sometimes known as tonsilloliths, are small white deposits that sometimes appear in the craters of the tonsils. They are normally whittish yellow and may produce a very foul smell. Tonsil stones are caused when bits of food get lodged in the craters of the tonsils. Bacteria then start feeding on them resulting in a foul smelling glob of calcium, collagen and mucus. Though they are normally dislodged when eating or coughing, they may sometimes require tonsil stones treatment.
Symptoms of tonsil stones
Tonsilloliths mostly occurs in people with a past history of nasal drip or chronic nasal inflammation. Tonsil stones may at times produce no symptoms and the person may have them without even knowing. However, some of the more common symptoms include bad breath, pain or discomfort when swallowing, coughing fits, a tightening feeling in the throat or closing of the throat which normally results in a chocking feeling and lastly a metallic taste in the mouth.
Treating tonsil stones
There are various methods of treating tonsil stones but the most common ones include;
Treating tonsils stones through irrigation.
One simple method of tonsils stones treatment is through the use of an oral irrigator. However, most electric irrigators are not recommended for removing tonsils stones so you should desist from them. Because they are very powerful, they may instead damage the tonsils leaving you in a worse situation than before. Not only will they damage the tonsil but they can lead to infections as well. Rather than using water jets, consider mild irrigation using a hose attachment that screws to the faucet since the water pressure is low and can be adjusted at the faucet. Gargling with warm and salty water can help alleviate tonsil stones. Doing this on a daily basis will help to keep the tonsil clear of tonsilloliths.
Treating tonsil stones through curettage.
When it comes to larger stones, curettage may be the best method of treating tonsil stones. Larger stones may need local excision. This treatment not only removes the tonsil stones but eliminates the bad breath associated with tonsilloliths as well. Curettage involves scrapping and scooping of the stones and this can be done with tonsil stone removal tool in your home like Q-tips and tweezers. Pressing the Q-tip or finger against the bottom of the tonsil and then pushing upwards can also help to squeeze out the smelly stones.
Treating tonsils stones using laser.
Laser is another tonsils stones treatment option that has been used to decrease the surface area of the tonsils and consequently eliminate tonsil stones. The process is often reffered to as laser cryptolysis and normally involves flattening the edges of the crevices that collect the food particles using a scanned carbon dioxide laser. This procedure prevents the material from collecting and forming tonsil stones. Laser surfacing is normally done under local anesthetic and is the best option for people who get tonsil stones regularly.
Removing tonsil stones using the tongue.
This is one of the most common methods of getting rid of tonsil stones. The best thing about this method is the fact that it does not provoke the gag reflex. This method is very simple- simply flex the throat, raise the tongue to the roof of the mouth. This will cause the tonsils to tense up and force the tonsil stones to pop out. Gargling with warm water afterwards will help to heal the pockets. A mixture of 1 or 2 drops of grape fruit seed extract and a strong minty mouthwash can as well help to heal the pockets.
Treating tonsil stones through tonsillectomy.
When the worst comes to the worst, you may have to undergo a tonsillectomy. This involves the removal of the tonsils and is only done as a last resort. This tonsil stones treatment method is also very risky with older people. However, in most cases, tonsilloliths does not get to a level that requires tonsillectomy and this is a very rare occasion.
Which is the best treatment? with home tool? laser? or what?
Though tonsil stones may require treatment at times, it is not always the case. In most cases, they will disappear before you even know. However, to be on a safer side, you have to prevent it rather than waiting to treat it. Daily cleaning of the tonsil area while brushing will significantly reduce the chances of you getting tonsil stones. However, when it requires treatment, any of the tonsil stones treatment methods above hope will help you.
