How to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones
Jake Newby
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- Tonsil stones are small white or yellow deposits made of hardened particles, such as bacteria or food debris.
- Some symptoms associated with tonsil stones include bad breath, discomfort while swallowing and sore throat.
- A couple of tonsil stone removal strategies include gargling with salt water and using a water flosser to remove them.
Sometimes, the source of your bad breath or sore throat is the small white or yellow deposits you find lodged in the back of your mouth. These are known as tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones are common, affecting about 40% of the population. As annoying as they are, tonsil stones are relatively harmless and easy to treat. You can usually get rid of tonsil stones at home.
What are tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are small pebbles or deposits made of hardened particles. They develop when bacteria, saliva, food particles and other debris from cells lining the mouth get trapped in tiny indentations called crypts, before becoming calcified, according to Harvard Health.
They’re not usually harmful. Here are the primary symptoms associated with tonsil stones:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Cough
- Earache
- Discomfort while swallowing
- Feeling like there is something stuck in your throat
- Having a bad taste in your mouth
- Sore throat or throat infections
- Tonsil redness and irritation
Why do I get tonsil stones?
You’re more likely to develop tonsil stones if you have a history of tonsilitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tonsilitis is chronic tonsil inflammation or infection of the tonsils.
Each time the tonsils become infected, and subsequently enlarged, small holes can appear from the swelling, paving the way for tonsil stones to develop.
People with large tonsils – and those who have tonsils with lots of indentations and irregular surfaces –are a risk factor for tonsil stones. The larger your tonsils, the more surface area there is for holes to develop. The more holes that develop, the more opportunities food particles have to form and turn into tonsil stones.
How to prevent tonsil stones
You’re always going to eat, so you can’t fully prevent tonsil stones from developing. But, there are things you can do to minimize their chances of forming.
Brushing your teeth regularly and gently brushing your tongue, followed by flossing, is the best preventive measure you can take. The Mayo Clinic also recommends using a non-alcohol-based mouthwash, as well.
How to get rid of tonsil stones at home
Your tonsil stones will be treated based on the severity of your symptoms. If you don’t have any of the symptoms listed above, you should be able to get rid of them at home.
The following tonsil stone removal strategies can be easily performed at home:
- Gargling with salt water
- Removing tonsil stones with a cotton swab
- Using a water flosser to remove them
You shouldn’t try to remove them with sharp, firm objects – such as toothpicks or pens – as that can damage your throat or tonsils, per Harvard Health.
If these solutions don’t work, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. They can determine if your tonsils are inflamed, swollen or infected, and may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications.
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