Tonsil stone

Overview Your tonsils are areas of tissue in the back of your throat. They are part of the immune system, which helps your body fight infection. Tonsil tissue has small gaps in it. Tonsil stones form when bacteria and debris get stuck in those gaps and harden. Tonsil stones look like white or yellow pebbles on your tonsils. They can cause bad breath, a sore throat, a bad taste in your mouth, and ear pain. Or they may not cause any symptoms. Usually, tonsil stones can be treated at home. But large stones that cause pain or other problems may have to be removed by a doctor. And if your tonsil stones keep coming back or are bothering you a lot, your doctor may recommend removing your tonsils. How can you care for yourself at home? • Gargle with warm salt water. This helps reduce swelling and discomfort. It might also help remove the stones. Gargle with 1 teaspoon of salt mixed in 8 fluid ounces of warm water. • Use something soft to gently remove tonsil stones that bother you. Some people use the end of a cotton swab. • Practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider. Kaiser Permanente heal...

reddit When you experience sudden increase of tonsil stones, it can be worrisome. You might not know what is causing this problem or how to get rid of the pain and discomfort that comes with it. Many people think they might be a sign of cancer, but that is rarely the case – particularly because they can occur for many different reasons. You might have a sudden increase in tonsil stones if you don’t practice good oral hygiene, have excess mucus, breathe through your mouth, have a weakened immune system, experience tonsillitis, or eat foods that encourage bacterial growth. Try gargling with hydrogen peroxide, salt water, or vinegar. If you’ve suddenly noticed an increase in tonsil stones, you might be alarmed and wonder what you did to cause it. Tonsil stones are harmless, but they can be painful and smell very bad. They’re signs of a bacterial infection in your throat, and many different factors can trigger their formation. Let’s go into all of the details so that you can understand why your body is developing those annoying, smelly abscesses. If you find the cause of your tonsil stones and treat them appropriately, you can prevent them and get rid of them for good. Poor Oral Hygiene Poor is one of the most prominent causes of tonsil stones, but what does that really mean? After all, you probably brush your teeth at least once per day, floss, and use mouthwash – yet your breath still stinks. That’s because tonsil stones are a sign of bacterial growth deep in your throat, wi...

• • • • Private Insurance We accept most dental insurance plans. • Dental Savings Plan Our Dental Savings Plan saves patients who don’t have insurance up to 50% off services. • Government Plans We accept many child and adult Medicaid, Chip and Medicare plans. • Dental Payment Plans We offer flexible financing programs with no interest (if eligible), giving you the freedom to prioritize your dental care needs. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What Are Tonsil Stones? Tonsilloliths, commonly known as tonsil stones, form on or in your tonsils. The small, hard stones can be white or yellow and vary in size. On the small end, tonsil stones resemble grains of rice, but they can be as large as grapes. Usually, tonsil stones don’t cause problems, but sometimes they grow too large (bigger than grapes), and affect your tonsils. Tonsil stones often smell bad and can make your tonsils swell. What Causes Tonsil Stones? To understand what causes tonsil stones, it helps to know what tonsils look like. Imagine small ball-like structures with lots of crevices, tunnels, and pits. Unfortunately, there are loads of nooks and crannies for bacteria, germs, and debris to hide in, and that’s how you get tonsil stones. When the bacteria and debris builds up, it forms tonsil stones in the crevices. The calcified stones can grow and multiply. What Are the Symptoms of Tonsil Stones? Many people have no idea they have tonsil stones because they can be hard to see. How...

• • Healthy Habits • • • • • • • • • Common Problems • • • • • • • • • • • Dental Conditions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Life Stages • • • • • • • • • • Types • • • • • • • • • • Benefits • • • • • • • • • Brands • ® Total ® • ® Max White ® • ® Kids ® • ® Sensitive ® • ® Sustainable Toothbrushes ® • ® Max White Ultra ® • ® Keep ® • • • • Resources • • • • • • Giving Back • • Sustainability • • Accessible Oral Care • • Innovation Champions Tonsil stones, clinically called tonsilloliths, are small, white discharges that form in the crevices of the tonsils. They are typically found on the surfaces of the pharyngeal tonsils on either side at the back of the throat. They can be as small as a grain of rice or as large as a pea. They are quite common and usually harmless, but they may spark alarm in patients when noticed for the first time. How They Form Tonsils themselves look a little like small heads of broccoli, with many small cracks leading into the body of the tonsil. Tonsilloliths occur from the breakdown of bacteria and saliva deep in these fissures. They can be soft and "cheesy" in consistency, but when they pick up mineral elements from your saliva and the foods that you eat, they can become hard and stone-like. Tonsilloliths are usually secreted unnoticed from the tonsil tissues, producing few, if any, symptoms. It's kind of like your tonsils attempting to do some cleaning! When present, the symptoms are generally mild but may include bad breath an...