News & Articles
Symptoms and Treatments for Tonsil Stones
- 7:31, 6th September 2018
- Test Organization
- Ears, Nose, Throat and Mouth
- Tonsil Stones / Tonsilloliths
Tonsilloliths or tonsil stones are located on or within the tonsils and take the shape of hard yellow or white formations. These cannot be located easily and rarely make way for severe health complications. But at times, the tonsils start to swell up and give out an unpleasant odor.
Causes of tonsilloliths
The main cause of tonsil stones is the accumulation of debris. When dead cells, saliva, mucus, and food get trapped in the pockets, the harmful bacteria and the fungi feed on the debris which gives out the bad odor.
Some of the potential causes of tonsilloliths include:
# large tonsils
# unhealthy dental hygiene
# chronic tonsillitis or inflamed tonsils
# chronic sinus issues
Symptoms to find in case of tonsil stones
Though tonsil stones are difficult to find, there are a few noticeable symptoms. Look out for a sore throat, bad breath, ear pain, trouble in swallowing, continuous coughing and yellow and white debris on the tonsil. However, smaller ones are comparatively more common and do not show any symptoms.
Prevention of the stones
With a tendency to occur within fixed intervals, the normal steps to prevent tonsil stones are:
# Maintaining oral hygiene by cleaning the harmful bacteria off the back of your tongue by brushing regularly.
# Gargling with salt water and drinking lots of fluid throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.
Removal of the tonsil stones
1. Gargling - Gargling with salt water can give relief from your throat discomfort and reduces the distinctive odor of the tonsils.
2. Laser tonsil cryptolysis - By using local anesthesia, a laser is used to remove the crypts of the stones.
3. Tonsillectomy - A surgical way to remove the tonsils, this is performed only for severe and chronic cases.
Take proper measures to prevent tonsilloliths and consult with Curedit to stay fit.
