Tonsil Stones - Tonsilloliths

In some people small, hard, calcareous lumps, which are white in color, occur in the crevasses of the tonsils, also called tonsillar crypts. These lumps, known as tonsilloliths, or calculus of the tonsil, or tonsil stones, can range in size from tiny little bits to pea sized ones and they have a tendency of remaining lodged in the area of the tonsils for a period of time, until they are dislodged finally. They are usually accompanied by a foul smell emanating from the tonsils, and a person afflicted with tonsilloliths experiences a physical sensation of something being lodged in the rear part of the throat.

Tonsil stones form due to a buildup of dead skin cells along with other non-cellular and cellular debris that get washed down the rear part of the throat from the nasal cavities and sinuses and get lodged in the crypts of the tonsils. Those who are afflicted with postnasal drip usually have tonsil stones since there is a regular flow of sinus drainage and mucus via the tonsils.

Tonsilloliths occur in the crypts of the tonsils because this is the only place where the debris can collect and get lodged. Since they contain ample amounts of protein, it creates a fertile environment for the bacteria to grow, especially the anaerobic bacteria that occur on the posterior part of the tongue as well as other airless areas of the mouth. The bad breath, also called halitosis, which is produced from the tonsils, is because of the growth and the metabolism of these anaerobic bacteria.

The breath smells bad because these bacteria produce sulfur compounds. Since these bacteria live and multiply inside as well as on the tonsilloliths, therefore they are not affected much when the teeth or tongue are brushed, or if the mouth is rinsed with antibacterial mouthwashes. Mints and breath sprays are also generally ineffective. One of the best remedies is gargling regularly with a mouthwash meant for reducing the anaerobic bacteria that exist in the mouth. Apart from helping to reduce the bad odor, it could also help in dislodging the tonsil stones.

However, tonsilloliths are notorious for being very hard to get rid of completely. Even though the individual stones finally do get dislodged and are swallowed, more soon start forming. Those who have had a tonsillectomy done, or have had their tonsils removed surgically, generally do not suffer from tonsil stones. Give below are a few tips for getting rid of tonsil stones non-surgically, which you can try out before asking an ENT specialist to remove your tonsils:

• Gargle about three times a day using warm salt water. Mix one teaspoon of salt to one pint of water, and use ¼ cup of this water each time you gargle.
• You could also use Alkalol as a gargle. It is basically a saline solution that is alkaline and includes a mixture of menthol, eucalyptol, camphor and thymol, along with the oils of cinnamon, pine, spearmint, and wintergreen.
• There are also water-jet devices that can be used to hose down the tonsils. Compared to gargling, this is a more aggressive method for getting rid of tonsilloliths.
• Some physicians also prescribe an antibiotics course that can last for 3-4 weeks, with the aim of settling down the tonsils, although it is not a particularly effective cure in the long term.

However, it is recommended to try out the above remedies before going in for a tonsillectomy. If you have tonsilloliths, it is best to consult an ENT specialist, who will probably have other remedial suggestions to help in eradicating the problem, and also provide you information about what a tonsillectomy entails.