Tonsil Stones: How to Get Rid of Them
Ever wondered why you keep on suffering from bad breath or sore throat? How come you keep feeling something stuck in the back of your throat? Well, one reason may be due to the presence of tonsil stones growing at the back of your throat!
At our ENT specialist clinic in Singapore, we see patients with recurrent sore throats. Some are suffering throat irritation with a feeling of something stuck at the back of the throat. Others keep falling ill and notice persistent bad breath. One careful look in the back of some people's throats and guess what? We spot a few white, hard, rock-like deposits in the tonsils, which may sometimes appear covered in cheesy sticky mucus/slime! These are the notorious tonsil stones, the source of your throat problems.
Actually, tonsil stones form in your throat because your tonsils have been producing a lot of thick, whitish mucus. So these secretions then dry up to form solid deposits, "stones". They often cause bad breath because the mucus is actually infected so it can be rather smelly!
Sometimes, these tonsil stones may have been bothering you for quite some time. But somehow, they just don't seem to disappear. Worse, they may be rather tricky to remove by yourself. If you use a sharp tool to dig the tonsil stones, be careful as this may cause bleeding! You don't want to suffer a worse sore throat due to accidental throat injury!
Dr Anabelle’s Tips to Remove Tonsil Stones
1. Gargle With an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Using a gargle regularly helps to cleanse the back of your throat to dislodge and prevent tonsil stones from recurring. Sometimes, even gargling with some diluted cider vinegar may help as it acts as an antiseptic to clean your throat.
2. Drinking Plenty of Water Every Day
Drinking 6 – 8 glasses of water daily will help to keep you well-hydrated. This in turn may help to reduce the formation of thick secretions and mucus on the tonsil surfaces.
3. Taking a Course of Antibiotics May Help to Treat Any Infections
If there is tonsil infection related to the trapped tonsil stones, then a course of antibiotics may help to reduce the severity of the bad breath associated with these tonsil stones.
4. Cleaning the Tonsils Gently With a Cotton Swab or Cotton Bud
Gentle cleaning of the back of your throat may help to loosen the tonsil stones. If you're feeling brave enough, using a toothpick with a steady hand may sometimes be effective in rooting out those trapped tonsil stones. But this may not be so easy to do, especially if there is a tonsil or throat infection causing pain. If you have a strong gag reflex, trying to dig out those tonsil stones may make you retch uncontrollably or even vomit when the back of your throat is touched.
5. If All Else Fails, See Your Friendly ENT Specialist Doctor in Singapore to Get It Checked Out Properly
Discuss with your favourite ENT specialist in Singapore if a tonsillectomy is the way forward for you to permanently remove the source of those tonsil stones, the tonsils! Having a tonsillectomy may seem daunting at first but it actually is a very effective way to treat those recurrent throat infections and tonsil stones.
The immune system in older children, teenagers and adults does not depend on the tonsils to be strong and effective so there is no concern about removing your tonsils if they continue to bother you with infection and tonsil stones like this. Expect a sore throat in the first few days after tonsil surgery but after that, you should feel much better and never have to worry about tonsil infections and tonsil stones ever again. There is also a good chance that the associated bad breath (halitosis) will improve!
So for those of you who have had to suffer persistent throat infections, tonsillitis and bad breath, tonsil stones may not only be the root of the problem, but may be the sign of chronic tonsil infections!
About Dr Annabelle Leong
Dr Annabelle Leong 梁翠娟
Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon
MBBS (Hons) (London), BSc (Hons);
DOHNS, MRCS (England), FRCS ORL-HNS (England)
Dr Annabelle Leong is a senior consultant ENT surgeon with more than 25 years of experience across the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. From childhood ENT concerns to hearing, balance and sleep problems in adults, she provides care across a broad range of ear, nose and throat conditions.
Known for being a patient and attentive listener, Dr Annabelle takes a sensible, holistic approach to care, considering the wider picture before recommending treatment. She favours conservative options where appropriate, with surgery considered when clinically indicated and appropriate for the patient’s overall care.