Tonsil stones are a common and annoying problem that plagues many people. They can cause bad breath and be painful if they get stuck in your throat. You might have wondered what causes tonsil stones or even how to make them fall out but didn’t know where to look for answers. Here, I’ll give you the scoop on what causes these nasty little buggers and how you can get rid of them once and for all.
What is tonsil stone?
If you have ever had an ear infection, then you probably know what a tonsil stone is. A tonsil stone is a hard, round, yellowish-white, and foul-smelling formation that grows in the tonsils. Tonsil stones are made up of bacteria and dead cells. These tiny particles stick together to form larger masses that make it difficult for you to breathe through your nose or mouth.
Tonsilloliths are also known as tonsil stones or oral concretions because they can be formed by calcification (hardening) of material inside your mouth. It is possible for people who have no history of bad breath or throat infections to develop these calcified particles on their own without previous symptoms.
What are the causes of tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are caused by a combination of food particles, bacteria, calcium, and salt. The most common cause is the presence of tonsilloliths in your mouth. These are white or yellowish-looking spheres that form when dead cells and other debris collect within the tonsil crevices.
Tonsilloliths can be dislodged into your throat where they will not dissolve due to their high content of calcium and magnesium which makes them difficult to digest by our stomach acids. They then sit there until swallowed or pushed out with coughing or swallowing saliva resulting in a stone being deposited on your tongue or back into your throat.
What are the symptoms of tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are small balls of bacteria, mucus, and debris that form in the crevices of your tonsils. These stones can fall out on their own or cause other symptoms like:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
- Ear pain
- Hoarseness (a loss of voice)
If you experience these symptoms, it’s likely that you have tonsil stones. If they’re causing enough discomfort to warrant medical attention, talk to your doctor about what to do next.
Tips to remove tonsil stones
Coughing
Coughing is one of the best ways to get rid of tonsil stones. It is also a good way to clear your throat after a period of having tonsil stones in your mouth. However, coughing can be painful and dangerous if you have a cough with blood or other fluids coming out of it.
Gargle with salt water
Gargling with salt water is a good way to loosen up the stones, but you should be careful not to swallow it. The amount of salt you use will depend on the size of your tonsil stones. If you’re dealing with very small ones, then one teaspoon of salt per eight ounces (about 240 ml) of warm water should suffice; if your tonsil stones are larger, however, two teaspoons per eight ounces is recommended.
After rinsing your mouth with this solution and making sure all traces are gone from your tongue and throat, be sure to gargle again with warm water afterward in order to remove any residue that might cause discomfort later on (such as an inflamed throat).
Gargle with apple cider vinegar
One of the most effective ways to get rid of tonsil stones is by gargling with apple cider vinegar. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a glass of water, then gargle for 15 seconds before swallowing it down. You should repeat this 2 or 3 times per day until you no longer feel any pain in your throat.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural antibiotic with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also be used as an antiseptic, which means it’s effective in killing bacteria without causing harm to the body. Garlic is also an anti-inflammatory, meaning it helps relieve pain and inflammation by reducing phlegm production. It has been shown to help fight infections when taken on a regular basis—and since these infections often cause tonsil stones, this makes garlic an ideal option for helping you get rid of them naturally.
Gargle with non-alcoholic mouthwash
Gargle with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Gargling is an effective way of getting rid of throat and tonsil stones, as it can help loosen them so they come out easier. A non-alcoholic mouthwash is recommended because many alcohol-based ones can hurt your throat and make you cough. It’s also important to not gargle for too long or else it may irritate your throat even more. You should use the mouthwash for about 30 seconds and then rinse with water.
Using a Water Flosser
A water flosser is a great way to remove tonsil stones. With the use of high-pressure water, you can dislodge them from your tonsils and then brush away the remaining pieces with a regular toothbrush.
Other people swear by using a special device called an oral irrigator, which uses water pressure to clean their throats. It’s basically like shooting a power washer into your mouth (but without all that annoying “power washing” noise).
Some people find that using flossers or other devices like this can be more effective than using saline spray because it gets rid of everything instead of just loosening up some debris on its surface.
Essential oils
There are a few ways to get tonsil stones out of your mouth, but one of our favorites is using essential oils. Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and peppermint oil can help loosen up tonsil stones so they can be swallowed without pain or discomfort.
It’s important to note that not all essential oils are created equal when it comes to their ability to remove tonsil stones naturally. Some may work better than others depending on the severity of your tonsilloliths and how long they’ve been there.
Cotton swab
The first step in removing a tonsil stone is to scrape it out with a cotton swab. This can be done gently, or you may have to press harder if the stone does not start moving as soon as you begin applying pressure.
Next, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to remove any debris left behind by the cotton swab. Some people also like to use hydrogen peroxide instead of salt water; however, this can cause serious damage if used too liberally on your throat tissues.
Yogurt
The use of yogurt to treat tonsils is very popular and has been tried by many who have suffered from these painful, annoying little objects.
The reason why yogurt can help is that it contains lactic acid, which has antibacterial properties. The probiotics in the yogurt also help with fighting infection and reducing pain and swelling in your throat.
Using a low-pressure irrigator
If you want to make tonsil stones fall out, you will have to use a low-pressure irrigator. This is a device that looks like a shower head or faucet attachment and is used to rinse the mouth and throat in order to remove food debris, bacteria, and other unwanted materials. This should be done for at least five minutes every day. If you do this twice per day with an effective irrigator, it will help speed up the process of removing your tonsil stones for good.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B6, C, and K. Vitamin A is known to improve the skin’s health by nourishing its outer layer and keeping the mucous membranes healthy. Vitamin A also helps reduce the risk of infections in your mouth. Beta-carotene is another nutrient found in carrots that have been shown to reduce inflammation in your body and help remove toxins from it. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system so you won’t get sick as much during cold-and-flu season.
Onions
Onions are not only delicious, but they also contain numerous beneficial properties which can help you to prevent and get rid of tonsil stones.
It has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many conditions, such as colds and lung infections. They are an excellent source of antioxidants and have anti-cancer properties; they also help improve the immune system, reduce inflammation, prevent heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Onions contain sulfur compounds that kill bacteria in the body; this makes them very useful in treating infections like tonsillitis or throat infections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tonsil stones are a real problem for many people. They can be very painful and are sometimes embarrassing to talk about or seek treatment for. But once you have proper knowledge of how to get rid of tonsil stones, it can be easy to cure.
However, there are several ways to make tonsil stones fall out. Some of these methods may be more effective than others depending on the type, size, shape, and location of the stone(s).
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to understanding tonsils, their causes, and treatment options. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to the problem, we recommend visiting your doctor for a consultation.
