why do i get tonsil stones often?

Question

What causes tonsil stones? I get up to 4 or 5 very small ones sometimes per tonsil every week or two.

Answer 1

Cryptic tonsils: As some people get older, their tonsils lose their smooth surface and become pitted or cryptic. The purpose of the tonsils is to sample debris (food as well as cellular debris) to help determine if is dangerous or not to the body. It then compacts the debris and gets rid of it. This happens in every person with tonsils. However, if the tonsils are cryptic, the debris is larger and noticeable.

Answer 2

Crypts: You probably have large tonsil crypts (or pockets) where debris accumulates. Consider using salt water gargles or an alcohol free mouth wash. There are some office procedures that a very few ent's can perform to help such as radiofrequency cryptolysis. If you are interested in this you will definitely have to ask around.

Answer 3

Cryptic tonsils: The first thing that starts are tonsils that have deep pockets or crypts. Food, debris, and bacteria get trapped in the crypts and form the "tonsil stones.".

Answer 4

Mouth bacteria: Most tonsil stones aren't from food or other particulates. Tonsils have crypts or crevasses into which a mouth bacterium, actinomyces, can enter. As the bacteria proliferate they create debris that under the microscope that look like sulfur granules.

Answer 5

Just look: With the right light and a goo mirror, tonsil "stones" can be seen by opening your mouth and looking in the mirror. They are usually whitish nodules that fill little pits - "crypts" - in the surface of the tonsil.

Answer 6

Tonsil stones: Tonsil stones are known by a variety of different names. One medical term is tonsillolith. Another is tonsil calculus. Essentially these are yellow or white solid material that occurs in the natural pits or crypts in the tonsils. They are very different from pus, because they are not liquid. They can range from soft to hard and they usually have a very putrid odor.

Answer 7

Eating: Tonsil stones (i.e. Tonsilliths) are collections of food and debris which get trapped in the tonsils. This material gets infected usually becomes foul smelling. Some tonsils have more nooks and crannies in which to collect this debris, which makes the stones larger and/or more numerous. If removed, tonsilliths usually will recur. If severe, tonsillectomy will cure the problem. Best wishes.

Answer 8

Bacteria: Tonsil stones are benign firm white "stones" that form in the tonsil crypts from bacteria... Much like plaque on your teeth. They are not dangerous, but can contribute to bad breath.

Answer 9

None really: It is not a medical problem, more of a physical one. Medications, herbs, mouthwashes generally don't help. If the tonsils have the deep crypts which trap food debris, tonsil stones will form. They can be removed cleaned out, but usually recur. If tonsil stones are a severe and chronic problem, tonsillectomy will cure the issues. See your local ent. Best wishes.

Answer 10

None that I know: I see these in heavy meat and dairy users. I am suspicious of dairy sensitivity.

Answer 11

None that I know of,: ... But, taking a daily probiotic preparation has been demonstrated to benefit the immune system, and to reduce upper respiratory infections (uri's) - reduced frequency, duration, and severity - in randomized prospective clinical trials. Probiotics have also been found to reduce ear infections in children. I recommend them for my patients with tonsil stones, and tonsillitis, with great benefit.

Answer 12

Can also consider: Tonsillolithectomy (larger, solid stone removal) or tonsillectomy if recurrent severe case with associated tonsillitis. Se an ENT to more closely assess.

Answer 13

Remove them: Get a penlight and a mirror and half-unbend a paper clip. You'll get good at it. Don't hurt yourself. A water pick is even better. If it's truly a nuisance, a otolaryngologist can laser-resurface your tonsils.

Answer 14

Tonsil stones: There is no cure for tonsil stones except to have your tonsils removed. Some people do gargle with salt water, take antibiotics, remove them surgically if they are really large but again no cure without true tonsillectomy.

Answer 15

Learn to remove them: Get a penlight and a mirror and half-unbend a paper clip. You'll get good at it. They come back. You probably won't hurt yourself. Water pick is even better. If it's truly a nuisance, a otolaryngologist can laser-resurface your tonsils.

why do i get tonsil stones often?

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