Tonsil Stones
About those smelly tonsil stones and how to remove them and be rid of them for good
Tonsil stones are another thing that causes halitosis (bad breath). They are formally known as tonsilloliths. They are objects usually made of calcium that grow and develop over time in the crypts and crevasses of the tonsils. They are usually white with a yellow hue in color and some people describe them as white spots in the throat or white spots on the tonsils. Tonsil stones are common in adults and are rare for children and babies. There are few noticeable symptoms of tonsilloliths other than bad breath, but for most of us here at BreathMD that is enough of a reason to find out if we have them and get them out if we do.
- What causes tonsil stones
- Side-effects of tonsil stones
- How do you know if you have tonsil stones
- How to remove tonsil stones
- Prevention
What causes tonsil stones
So how do you get tonsil stones? What cause tonsilloliths? Those are very good questions but unfortunately the exact causes are unknown. While tonsils play an important role in trapping harmful bacteria from entering the rest of your body, they also tend to trap food, mucus, dead cells, and other particles. There is a generally accepted notion that tonsil stones are caused by the food, particles, and bacteria that are accumulated on and in the tonsils. These particles are broken down in time by saliva and digestive enzymes and most of what remains is the hard deposits of the particle (usually calcium). The softer parts are broken down and eventually are washed away.
There have also been studies that prove a correlation between patients who have tonsilloliths and patients who suffer from post-nasal drip, which is another cause of bad breath.
Side-effects of tonsil stones
There are various signs and symptoms of tonsil stones. Below is a list of the side-effects of them. Keep in mind that tonsil stones vary greatly in size and that a lot of these symptoms only manifest themselves with patients who suffer from large or rare giant tonsilloliths.
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Pain on swallowing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Coughing fits
- White Spots on tonsils
- Ear ache
- Swollen tonsils
- Sensation that something is stuck or lodged in the back of the throat
- Putrid taste in the mouth, that returns quickly after brushing one's teeth
While the side-effects can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, they are rarely life threatening and there has not been any evidence that they negatively affect one's overall health.
How do you know if you have tonsil stones
If you suffer from the above mentioned symptoms of tonsilloliths you may have them. Keep in mind it is extremely rare to suffer from tonsil stones if you had a tonsillectomy and had your tonsils removed.
You can usually determine if you have tonsil stones through visual inspection. Grab a flashlight and face a mirror. Open your mouth in such a way that you have a clear view of your tonsils. Shine the light on the tonsils and inspect each of them thoroughly for any white spots or white objects on them. Also you may try taking a clean Q-tip and using that to pull back the flap of the tonsils to inspect the cryptic area in the tonsils. If you do not see any white spots or objects you should be good to go. If you do see white objects they might be tonsil stones, debris from a larger tonsil stone, or a tonsil stone in development.
Tonsils stones may sometimes be hidden from view. Just because you can't see them does not mean that you don't have any. Many people report, although they don't see any tonsil stones, they often cough them up so they know they have them.
Tonsils stones can also be detected through X-rays and CAT scans and they are often discovered accidentally through these methods.
How to remove tonsil stones
There are various methods used to treat and remove tonsil stones. They are often removed or dislodged unintentionally by coughing or even swallowing. The simplest method of the removal of tonsil stones is take a Q-Tip (people report a bent bobby pin works well) and to gently apply pressure to the white stone until it is dislodged. If that doesn't work try to apply pressure through different angles and try a back and forth motion. Also if it is hard to reach you might try taking another Q-tip and using that to pull back the flap or part of the tonsil so you have better access. Remember to be very gentle. Your tonsils are very fragile and they might bleed if handled recklessly. A little bleeding is common in removing tonsil stones but do your part and be gentle and take your time to minimize the bleeding and irritation done to your tonsils.
Removal of tonsil stones is also carried out effectively by using an oral irrigator. Ideally the best irrigation tool to use is an oral irrigator that is used to irrigate the lacerations left by the removal of wisdom teeth. Other oral irrigators may be used such as a WaterPik or the SinuPulse Irrigation System
Water Fasting - Many others and I have reported that tonsil stones come out easily while fasting. Almost every time I fast I cough up several nasty tonsil stones. To do this only drink water or tea in the morning and the afternoon, usually around noon I can feel them getting loose and I can cough them out. Fasting for longer periods of time might be even more helpful. Please try this out and let us know how it went in the comments below.
If you have tried the above mentioned methods and they did not work, consider seeing a doctor. Doctors may remove tonsil stones by curettage, laser, or even surgery if necessary. If they are really bad and keep recurring, the doctor may suggest tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils). The doctor will let you know what the best treatment for tonsil stones would be.
Should I get my tonsils removed?
Many people consider getting their tonsils removed if they suffer from recurring tonsil stones and bad breath. It is a hard decision to make and there are many things to consider personally and with your doctor before removing them. The recovery time from a tonsillectomy increases as the patient gets older and many doctors discourage it for adults, whereas many adult patients have had them removed and stated the recovery wasn't too hard and they are loving life after having them out. Research the topic heavily. If tonsil stones are the only reason you want them out first try removing the tonsil stones and applying the preventive measures in your life that are outlined in the next section. If you just can't get rid of the tonsil stones and if your tonsils are causing you to have tonsillitis and sickness regularly, it might be best just to rip them out yourself. Just kidding, get a doctor to do a tonsillectomy.
Prevention
While removing tonsil stones is possible, it is important to take measures that stop them from returning and recurring often. We believe that the stones are caused by particles that get trapped in the tonsils, so in order to prevent tonsil stones it is important to clean your tonsils regularly to keep them free of the particles that would eventually break down and cause the tonsilloliths to develop. Here is a list of methods you can apply to prevent tonsil stones.
-
Brush Teeth and Gargle after meals - Brushing your teeth and gargling a germ killing oxygenating solution after meals is an excellent way to ensure that your breath is fresh and your mouth and tonsils are free from food particles that would eventually cause bad breath and tonsil stones. Before brushing after a meal it is a good idea to swish water in your mouth and spit it out until you do not see any more food particles coming out. Then drink a bit of water to wash down any particles in the back of your throat and tonsils. Now brush your teeth and be sure to gargle mouthwash thoroughly. If you do this after each meal it will help your overall oral health and help keep your mouth free of food particles.
-
Irrigate your tonsils regularly - With a gentle oral irrigator wash your tonsils often, at least once a week, to insure there are no particles that have been lodged in them. Try SinuPulse Irrigation System
Try Nasal Irrigation - While it is not proven that post-nasal drip is a cause of tonsil stones, it would still be prudent to clean out your nasal passages regularly as well just in case too much mucus drainage in the back of the throat is a cause of tonsil stones. Check out our article on nasal irrigation and also post-nasal drip to discover other methods on how to treat post-nasal drip.
Use tonsil sprays and oxygenating mouthwash - Tonsil sprays and oxygenating mouthwash such as TheraBreath Oral Rinse
used regularly help to break down the particles faster to hinder the development of tonsil stones. They also help neutralize sulfur-producing bacteria to freshen your breath.
Take Oral Probiotics - Although this information is not yet backed up by studies, many people have reported that taking oral probiotics has stopped or hindered the growth of tonsil stones. To learn more read our article on Oral Probiotics.
Keep in mind you will probably not see immediate results. Doing these preventive measures will hinder the growth of future tonsil stones, but do little to remove the tonsil stones you currently have. Try to remove the tonsil stones you currently have and then carry out these preventive measures to try to keep new ones from forming. Overtime you should notice results, but don't give up after a couple of weeks. It might take months for you to see results.
Also do not neglect other oral health care while trying to get rid of tonsil stones. Read our article on How To Get Rid of Bad Breath for an overview of a basic oral care regimen that will help you have fresh breath.
If you take the protective measures above, hopefully you will be rid of tonsil stones for good and eliminate tonsil stones from your life!
Careful these are contagious, I never had them until I dated a girl who got them and I think I caught them from kissing her. A month or two into our relationship I coughed one up one morning and she told me she got them all the time. When I looked at her throat I could see white lumps coming from her tonsils. She always had bad breath so I think they may be caused by bacteria from poor oral hygiene. I’m not with her anymore, but to this day I’ll find them in my mouth 1-3 times a year. Yuck!
Mrs
Recently I cough out this yellowish substance with foul smell.tgood to hear it's not dangerous
Thanks
I had this problem for 30 years. The stones were hidden deep in the tonsils. I had some success getting them out with a water pik and then 5 days ago I had a tonsillectomy. So far looks like the problem may be solved. I think I will still need to use my neti pot to clear out any post nasal drip.
Scream
Some years ago, by accident, I found screaming caused them to come loose. Back then, as a teenage male, I could scream in a much higher pitch than I can now so can't really use this method but I remember so much came free and sat on the edge of the tonsils, I felt I would choke! Very odd feeling but cleared a whole bunch out at once for me. May be worth a try if you don't fancy prodding them with something.
Thank you!
I felt like something had been stuck in my throat for the last 3 days! I darned near coughed up lung trying to clear my throat I googled and came across this page. A few minutes ago I used the qtio method and my throat feels clear. Thank you!
I have been experiencing this for year but don't know what it is until I see your page. Thanks a lot
WT ?
I have had these things for years. I thought it was just food in my throat. I use to try and suck this stuff from my throat. Nothing would happen they would just stay there. My breath would be so bad my friend would come to the house to see me brush my teeth thinking I didn't do my hygiene. I have suffered for years. Just about 3 months ago I started pushing these little white things from my throat with the back of my toothbrush and it has helped my breath. Didn't know what I was doing nor what it was.
Thank you for this now I will get the water pick and hopefully I will make it even better. Thanks a bunch
I'm so glad I found this site, I know I'm not alone. I thought I was crazy but now know what they are. Thank you! I pray one of these remedies helps me, if not I'm going to try to have my the nails removed!
Fasting Works
Fasting does work! It was after an all-day fast ( with just water in between) that I coughed so many of the stones and had to run to the internet where I found your page. Guess, I'll try the Q-tip approach also since I can't go fasting for too long. Thank you so much for clearing my mind as I was very worried before reading your article
Thanks
I am so happy that finally I can get rid of this tonsil-stones problem that has been plaguing me for years. I didn't even know that these whitish particles had a name. Thank you.
Thank you
Useful information, thank you
I’ve been getting these since I was a child and I never knew what they were. I only get like 3 every year and thought it might be something else. I never noticed anything on my tonsils and I still don’t. I had sleeping troubles and went to the doctor and found out my tonsils are way to big for my age. Therefore I have to get them removed. It’s nice knowing that these are most likely just becaus of that. Thanks~
Just found out my problem. Didn't know why I had this fowl smell after brushing and gargling. Now I know. Been seeing them for some years didn't know what it was til now. Thanks. I'm going to try everything
Yeah, really crazy stuff. I cough mine up but sometimes it feels like there are more back there and I don't want to deal with the bad breath. The salt idea sounds like a good idea though.
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I had white balls on my tongue and in throat as well ..gargling with sat walter every hour ..but i havent found any difference from past 4weeks.Getting scared of this even loosing hope on my life.Does this really a big issue i m facing ??plz suggest me any sort of medicines r ointments.
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I had white balls on my tongue and in throat as well ..gargling with sat walter every hour ..but i havent found any difference from past 4weeks.Getting scared of this even loosing hope on my life.Does this really a big issue i m facing ??plz suggest me any sort of medicines r ointments.
Fasting
I believe fasting does work due to eliminating helping factors of tonsil stones. My unintentional fasts leave me constantly spitting out a tonsil stone and that is only after a skipped breakfast.
Healthy diet helps!
I've noticed that I don't struggle with this nearly as much since I began to eat healthy...I cut out dairy, extra sugar, etc. It really seems to do the trick. When I go back to eating junk (eg processed snacks, ice cream, etc.) is when they seem to come back.
Got stones from kissing someone
I never in my life had this problem of the stones growing in my throat until one day I was dating this guy and we shared a kiss and literally the next day I work up with them in my throat and it’s not like the kiss was crazy it was a basic sensual kiss.. anyway I have been having them come back off and on for two years not and Iv been reading about them and have never heard any one express getting it after kissing someone but this was how I got them and I guess I knew he was just getting over a cold but my god I didnt know about tonsal stones until I woke up with them!!
Got stones from kissing someone
I never in my life had this problem of the stones growing in my throat until one day I was dating this guy and we shared a kiss and literally the next day I work up with them in my throat and it’s not like the kiss was crazy it was a basic sensual kiss.. anyway I have been having them come back off and on for two years not and Iv been reading about them and have never heard any one express getting it after kissing someone but this was how I got them and I guess I knew he was just getting over a cold but my god I didnt know about tonsal stones until I woke up with them!!
I got BreathMD's Tonsil Stone Kit and it Works Great!
I have been suffering from tonsil stones for years, I could usually cough them out, but lately that hasn't been working. I am glad I found this page and bought BreathMD's Tonsil Stone Kit from Amazon. The long tools and q-tips are just what I needed to get them out. I gently apply pressure on one edge of the tonsil stone with the wooden q-tip, this causes the tonsil stone to come out partway, then I can use the metal scoop tool to gently nudge it out. I have found that using a lamp that shines light directly in my mouth helps a lot to see them and what I am doing. Thanks again! It feels so good to get them out!
I have been suffering from these on and off for years. Just had enough lately because they’d been getting so bad everyday I’d find some hidden. So I decided to poke them all out everyday and gargle with warm salt water and by day three I have noticed by throat feels clearer and my tonsils are no where near as big as they used to be I didn’t even realise they were big until now. I’m still finding them but my throat feels so much better. Why can’t they just go away already.
Im 15 and i got my first one bout a month ago.. i first felt there was smthn stuck in my throat so i drank gallons of water.. but it wouldnt come off.. so i grabbed a mirror and flashlight and i opened my mouth.. i saw a little white thing standing there byt i was like hmm whatever i must've hurt scratched it while coughing or smthn.. but few days later.. it started bothering me even more.. and i grabbed the mirror and the flashlight once again to see it even bigger.. brighter by color and i was TERRIFIED.. i quickly showed it to my sister cz she knows all boit that stuff. And she was ohh thats rlly nthn to worry about you can push it out urself.. i tried to but i was about to throw up.. so i just took strepsils and it went away the next day!
Do not remove tonsils! New studies are popping up that they are far more important than once thought. Also if you suffer from this change you diet and don't smoke.. that's literally all you have to do. Fools.
grody dudes
I started getting these around 2 years ago (I was 12) and just assumed that they were regurgitated food or something of the sort. Around 3 months ago, they started becoming more frequent. So I googled it and just saw "tonsil stones". I only read enough to know that they weren't dangerous, then proceeded to tell my parents. Apparently my dad gets them too! I never really made any moves to look at my tonsils or remove the stones, since I typically just coughed them up once a month or so. But after reading this article, I'll be sure to as soon as I get home from school! Thanks so much for all of the helpful feedback!
How get rid of bad breath
I had problems with halitosis so I quit smoking and got my tonsils removed. My insurance covered it because Halitosis is apparently covered and those stones cause halitosis. Also, I floss everyday. When you floss, move the floss all around the crevice and then smell it. That way you’ll know which teeth have the smelly bacteria. Also, after you brush your teeth, brush and then scrape your tongue. Then I gargle with a half and half mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide (the regular stuff in the brown bottle at the drug store). I put a little peppermint oil in the bottle to give it a little fresh taste. It kills the bacteria and whitens you’re teeth over time. Last, I only use Dr.Katz’s Therabreath products. They aren’t cheap but they work!
Tonsil stoned
I am 52 and consider myself an expert on this subject! I started out as a teenager removing these nasty things and as I got older, I now can just push on my tonsils and express as the disgusting funk that is in there. They are like icebergs in that sometime you see only the tip and they won’t come dislodged because they are huge under and inside the crypts. Well, if you gently but firmly push (after gargling a bit) they will dislodge! I hurry and gargle them out not wanting to swallow that gross bunch of stench and then they are gone, leaving a gaping hole in the tonsil. My tonsils have shrunken themselves through the tears. I believe these tonsil stones are the bodies white cells accumulating in the tonsils as they do their job of fighting off germs and bacteria... thus they tonsiliths are the waste product from our body fighting the bad stuff. I don’t know why some people get them, while others don’t.
im 13 and ive had these all my life and u would always use a bobby pin but now there is this white mucus stuff surrounding my tonsils and idk if they r infected or not.
I got so sick of q-tips that I searched amazon and found tonsil tools. They are great! I have the ones that light up so I can see the back of my throat. I also have a long metal tool with different ends I can use. Makes tonsil stone removal easy.
Strong emotions
I've had Tonsil Stones since my 20's. My mom got them so bad she got her tonsils removed. She taught me how to extract them by applying pressure with a Q-Tip and Voilà! Somewhere ages ago, I read that that is a way for toxins to leave our body. I started noticing over the last year, that anytime I am stressed, overwhelmed or upset about stuff they pop up, so my body tries to "rid itself" of negative emotions by making this stuff. My mom usually holds things in, so it makes sense all this gunk would plague her so many years. Not a scientific fact, but I believe it.
Yellow nasty smell balls in throat
It smells like ass cheese and vinegar.I hate them.they just come out of no where and it smells like death.no getting girls with these nasty guys having a cliff hanging party in my throat.yous gots to go bros
Metoo! I just discovered these and have had the feeling of blocked ears for years now!!
I have lived with this terrible tonsil stones fr like 15years now I really didnt know why my breath was smelling so bad.I was so embarrassed to face the world it lowered my selfesteem reading this article has helped me alot I home my life will change frm nw onwards.Tnk u so much
To the person who said that they can still smell them after they got rid of them I know from experience that you still have some you can't see. I had the same thing happen where I got some that I saw but kept smelling them. I kept pushing and prodding like crazy for a couple of days and FINALLY had some come out of hiding and the smell was gone.
I have always called these things peanuts. It was weird finding out they aren't actually nuts.
Tonsil stones
Hi guys, I've been dealing with these monster stones for 35 to 40 years. Never knew what they were but kmew that had to come out. I have used Q-tips, bobbypins, tweezers and now just my finger nail or tip.
I push hard and they "obey", lol
I did however just find out that your Dentist can get them out for you. He just uses the suction and
Out they come..
I always have gum, mints, special mouthrince available.. I just remembered parsley is a great breath
Freshner.. never hurts to carry a baggie of that with us..
Good luck to the " Tonsils Stone" 😷gang. We will take our stones and dispose of them happily 😜
I like to save mine and then mail them to people I have disagreements with.
Thanks be to God I read this article , it has helped me understand what am suffering from. I always been so worried thinking am getting throat cancer because of these unpleasant mouth poops I happen to get each and every morning. I have tried gargling them out ,yes they pop out but still I feel the uncomfortable. The smell ough da worstbut I finally got to know how to treat them from this article. Thank u guys soon too write a feedback after I use the above mentioned treatments
Fasting
I cough these out every now and then. A few nights ago they just kept coming out i eneded up coughing 7 out total. I was interested to read your fasting theory because I have been eating less trying to lose weight this week.
I remove these with a dental mirror. Works well.