Tonsil Stones? What Exactly Are Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)?

What exactly are Tonsil Stones? We know they are small cream colored lumps which are coughed up or swallowed and may become a nuisance by giving the sensation of having something stuck in the back of the throat. But what exactly are they?

Studies have shown them to be made up of dead skin cells, food particles, sulfur-producing bacteria, saliva and dead white blood cells. This debris collects in crevices formed in the tonsil region, which eventually produces the tonsil stones. I don't know how long they take to form and grow to their full size, as I have found no research that covers this, but they do vary in size which obviously has some bearing on the length of time they take to grow before finally dislodging and falling out.

If you ever break open or squash one of the stones between your fingers they give off a very unpleasant smell. In fact it is so unpleasant that they smell a bit like rotten eggs and vomit all rolled into one. The tonsil stones contain quantities of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptain, which are major contributors towards producing these awful, smells and are the very same gases that create many bad breath problems.

Tonsil stones only tend to form in people who still have their tonsils, but if you are thinking of rushing off to have them surgically removed then think again. As we get older having our tonsils removed (tonsillectomy) becomes more risky and many physicians will not contemplate removing them unless you have a more serious problem that warrants their removal. Tonsil Stones are not considered to be a health risk and therefore are not deemed serious enough to be operated on.

Luckily, there are a few simple steps that can be taken to remove Tonsil Stones without the need for surgery.

What you require is something, which can effectively act against the sulfur-producing bacteria that live on the back of the tongue and in your tonsil region. There is a range of special oral products available to neutralize these bacteria and stop tonsil stones and bad breath smells dead in their tracks. By using these special oxygenating toothpastes, mouthwashes and mouth sprays along with the use of a tongue scraper will be a very effective way of significantly reducing or completely stopping tonsil stones from ever forming again.

Tonsilloliths is not something you should put up with, as there is effective treatment on hand, which can put a stop to your persistent problem. With a little effort from you and a small change to your daily oral routine can produce outstanding results by giving you a fresh, clean feeling with a good likelihood of eliminating tonsil stones and bad breath forever.

John Reece is a writer and contributing editor of www.tonsil-stones-cure.com a site dedicated to the treatment and prevention of Tonsil Stones. If you would like more information visit: http://www.tonsil-stones-cure.com