Your tonsils are an important part of your immune system. They’re responsible for fighting off foreign bacteria that can enter your body and cause problems. But sometimes they can become enlarged and even inflamed. And yes, you might have heard of someone getting their tonsils removed, but what if you have normal tonsils but have a tonsil stone? In this post, we’ll look at how to make tonsil stones fall out, and how you can get rid of them at home.
We’ll start by explaining what tonsil stones are and what causes them.
What Are Tonsil Stones?
Made mostly of calcium, tonsilloliths (tonsil stones) accumulate in the crevices of the tonsils that serve to trap various debris. The tonsils trap dead cells, bacteria, mucus, and foreign particles while they do their job. Sometimes, though, this collection of debris can become concentrated and accumulate in the crevices.
When this happens, the tonsils begin to express these substances, especially if the person has regular inflammation of the tonsils. Indeed, tonsil stones are more common in people with long-term tonsil issues, as well as older people.
Tonsil stones can be hard to detect if they’re not clearly visible, however. While the person can feel them or notice them, they aren’t usually painful, although sometimes they can be. Usually, tonsil stones are found during a routine radiological examination.
So, if you’ve found tonsil stones, or are having symptoms of them, such as bad breath or trouble swallowing, read on to see how to get rid of tonsil stones.
How To Make Tonsil Stones Fall Out
There are several methods you can use to treat tonsil stones. Generally, unless manually interfered with, tonsil stones aren’t likely to go away on their own.
- Gargling with warm salt water may help dislodge the tonsil stones.
- You can also try gargling with chlorhexidine mouthwash. Regular gargling can help dislodge the stones until they eventually come off completely.
- In combination, you might be able to use your finger or a cotton swab to reach in and dislodge the tonsil stones.
- Another great solution is the use of an oral irrigator. Because the tonsils are sensitive and soft, you must use a low-pressure setting. They can be effective, projecting a jet of water at the tonsils to dislodge the stones, after which they can fall out.
Conclusion
If all else fails, and your tonsil stones are still bothering you, it’s possible to remove them through surgery. A qualified oral surgeon will be able to diagnose and treat the tonsil stones along with any other tonsil issues you may have. Then, they’ll recommend a surgical procedure that may involve removing just the stone (using curettage or scooping) or removing the tonsils partially or completely.
Katy Cypress Oral Surgery covers all of your oral surgery needs, with the top priority being safety, effectiveness, and patient comfort. Our qualified dental surgeons will be able to advise you on whether a frenectomy is right for you.
For any questions or concerns, or to get more information about consultations or appointments, call us at (281) 667-0607. We invite you to discover the difference a highly skilled, dedicated team can make to your surgery experience.