A person who hears the term may immediately ask what are tonsil stones. The image of a stone does not immediately make one think of the throat, but this is exactly where the collections form. The stones are not similar to rocks but are firm white collections that form in the crevices of the tonsils.
Tonsils are located on each side of the back the mouth where the throat begins. The structures are created out of cells that work to help the body to fight infection and prevent infections from starting in the first place. No one really knows how the tonsils work but some believe that they serve to catch virus, bacteria and other potentially harmful particles that are exposed to the throat.
What are Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones are also called tonsilloliths and they occur because materials including mucus, dead cells and bacteria collect in crevices in the tonsils. The trapped substances gather and harden into white, fleshy formations as they calcify. Small tonsillolisths are more common than large tonsil stones are.
Some people are more susceptible than others are in the formation of the calcifications. People who have tonsillitis on a regularly basis and people who have chronic inflammation in the area tend to develop the formations more often than those who do not have the tonsil problems.
Symptoms of Tonsil Stones
The symptoms of tonsillolists are subtle, making them nearly impossible to detect without a CT scan or X-ray. Many people discover the formations after receiving one of these interventions for a different health issue. Larger formations are easier to detect because they have a number of different symptoms.
• Halitosis is among the most noticeable for anyone who knows someone who has tonsil stones. Noticeably bad breath, commonly associated with infections of the tonsils, typically occur with larger stones. Anyone who has chronic bad breath may want to check for tonsillolisths.
• The white formations may be visible in some cases as they protrude out from the folds of skin. In some cases, they are deeply embedded, making them impossible to see without magnetic resonance imaging or scans.
• Some people experience soreness in the throat or difficulty swallowing. The debris can make the surrounding tissue irritated, inflamed and sore. In some cases, the stones can interfere with the ability to swallow, depending on their locations.
• The tonsils may become swollen from irritation, infection or inflammation that may be present with the foreign body.
• Some people experience ear pain if the tonsil stones touch nerves that are shared by the ear and the throat. The discomfort occurs in the ear in spite of the stone’s location in the tonsils.
Tonsil Stones Treatment
In many cases, there is no treatment necessary. However, if the formation may cause problems, the condition may be treated with antibiotics. Problematic stones may have to be removed surgically.
Some people opt for home remedies for less serious conditions. Gargling with salt water can help treat the condition. Dislodging tonsil stones with cotton swabs is another option some choose to take.
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