What are the white pebbles in my throat?
Tonsil stones are small lumps of hardened material that form on your tonsils, in the back of your throat. They usually don’t cause serious health problems. The main sign of tonsil stones is bad breath. You can usually try to get rid of tonsil stones using at-home methods, such as saltwater gargles.
Can tonsil stones be white?
Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard white or yellow formations that are located on or within the tonsils. It’s common for people with tonsil stones to not even realize they have them. Tonsil stones aren’t always easy to see and they can range from rice-sized to the size of a large grape.
How do you get rid of tonsil stones NHS?
If there are symptoms, options for tonsil stone treatment include:
- Regular gargling (then spitting out) with mouthwash or a salt water solution. This may dislodge the stones.
- Gentle irrigation. This involves gently shooting water at the back of the mouth to try to dislodge stones.
- Surgery – tonsil stone removal.
Should you remove tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are hardened accumulations in the pits of the tonsils. You shouldn’t remove them at home because you may damage the delicate tissue, but some home remedies and medical treatments can reduce their severity. The tonsils are masses of lymph tissue in the back of the throat.
How do you stop tonsil stones from forming?
The only way to prevent them is to remove your tonsils. Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils. Gargling after eating can also prevent food buildup.
Should you remove your own tonsil stones?
Removing tonsil stones at home is generally not recommended because tonsils are delicate tissues and bleeding and infection may occur if stones are not carefully removed. If tonsil stones are painful, large, or you are having difficulty breathing, see a doctor.
Is it OK to pick out tonsil stones?
Manually removing tonsil stones can be risky and lead to complications, such as bleeding and infection. If you must try something, gently using a water pick or a cotton swab is a better choice. Minor surgical procedures may be recommended if stones become particularly large or cause pain or persistent symptoms.
Is it OK to swallow a tonsil stone?
In most cases, tonsil stones do not require any treatment, as they detach themselves naturally from the tonsils, and can be swallowed without even being noticed.
Why do I get tonsil stones even though I have good oral hygiene?
Causes of tonsil stones are many, but often it does come down to poor oral hygiene as a primary cause. Food, bacteria, mucus, and dead skin can all become “trapped” on the way down; however, if a patient has good oral hygiene such as regular brushing and the use of mouthwash, it makes tonsil stones much more unlikely.