Do you know what those white spots on your tonsils are? They are known as tonsil stones and some people don’t even know that they have them. Tonsil stones are a result of accumulation of mucus, dead skin cells, bacteria and food particles. They have either white or yellow color and a fragile structure. Tonsil stones are responsible for pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing and breathing and bad breath as well.
People that have large tonsils, don’t take care of their oral health and suffer from chronic inflammation are at an increased risk of tonsil stones. The usual treatment for the stones is surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy), but the surgery doesn’t guarantee that the stones won’t reappear. Additionally, removing the tonsils creates a new set of problems as you’re removing a vital part of your immune system that prevents the development of bacteria and viruses in the body.
Luckily, the stones can be removed with far less invasive methods you can perform at home. Here are the best ones:
Q-TIPS
Push a q-tip against the stones to get them out. Be gentle, but apply firm pressure – once you’ve applied enough, they should go out of their pockets.
ORAL IRRIGATOR
This device has an engine, water store and a flosser and works just like string flossing. Put the spout over the pockets in your tonsils and blow gently on the minimal setting to force the stones out.
DENTAL IRRIGATION SYRINGES
These syringes work in similar manner as the q-tips. Point the tip at the crevices in the tonsils and squirt the mixture to remove the stones that are not visible. The liquid should be a mixture of equal amounts of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide which will also disinfect your tonsils during the process.
ORAL PROBIOTICS
These bacteria can defeat the bac bacteria in your oral cavity which are sometimes the main reason for tonsil stones. We recommend taking S. Salivarius K12 probiotic supplements against tonsil stones. Mix it with 4 oz. of warm water, then put a bit of the mixture in your mouth and tilt your head back so it reaches the tonsil stones. Spit out after 10-15 seconds and repeat the process several times a day. Chewing gums and toothpaste can also help you eliminate tonsil stones and the problems caused by them.