Tonsil stones are common, especially among people who ignore their need to visit the dental clinic or access mobile dental services. They are also known as tonsilloliths and they are small lumps that form in your tonsils. Their main symptom is bad breath. There are different methods to remove them including gargling salt water or a water pick. However, if they keep on bothering you or coming back then your dentist may recommend surgery.
What are tonsils?
These are a pair of oval-shaped small bits of tissue at the back of your throat that normally have gaps, folds, and crevices known as tonsillar crypts. They are part of your immune system as they protect against infection. They help filter viruses and bacteria that enter your mouth. Removing them doesn’t affect your immune system.
The appearance of tonsil stones
Tonsil stones are yellow or white “pebbles” on your tonsils. You can have one or several tonsil stones and their size can vary.
The difference between tonsillitis and tonsil stones
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Both conditions cause bad breath and may also cause throat pain. If you have tonsillitis, you will get red and inflamed tonsils along with fever, a sore throat and a headache.
Who is at risk of tonsil stones?
People with more tonsillar crypts are at higher risk of getting tonsil stones. They are more commonly found in people who have had a lot of tonsil infections. Tonsilliths happen more often in teenagers but with the help of a mobile dental clinic, they can be prevented.
Causes of tonsil stones
Debris and materials can get trapped in your tonsillar crypts. These materials can harden and form stones. The trapped material could include food or debris, minerals such as calcium, fungi or bacteria.
Symptoms of tonsil stones
While some tonsil stones do not cause symptoms, others may cause coughing, bad breath, earache, sore throat, small or white stones that can be spat out and a bad taste in your mouth. Other severe effects include feeling like something is stuck in your throat, difficulty swallowing, small white patches on your tonsils, and throat infections that are difficult to treat with antibiotics.
Diagnosis
There are different ways your dentist may diagnose tonsil stones. Your dentist may do a physical exam and look inside your mouth. He may also perform an imaging scan if they can’t see the stones. Once the stones are visible, your dentist will dislodge them using a dental pick.
Sometimes your dentist can notice tonsil stones during an exam even if you don’t experience any symptoms. If you do not have any symptoms, a dentist might notice them during an x-ray for a different problem. He may also see them during the normal dental exam.
Treatment
Mobile dental services can treat this condition. Treatment aims to manage the symptoms. There is no specific treatment method for this condition. It is important to ensure you brush your teeth regularly and gargle with salt water. If gargling does not dislodge them, it is tempting to use a toothbrush or finger to remove them. But you can scratch the delicate tonsils. You should use something soft like a cotton swab or visit a dentist.