What Are Tonsil Stones?

Many individuals believe the only stones that can form in the human body are kidney stones or gallbladder stones. However, the kidneys and gallbladder are not the only location stones can develop within the body! Surprisingly, the tonsils are another location where hard, painful stones can develop in certain individuals. Take a deep breathe and keep reading to reveal what tonsil stones are and how they form within the human body.

What Are Tonsils?

Tonsils are gland-like structures in the back of the throat, with each tonsil located in a pocket on each side. Tonsils are made of tissue containing lymphocytes, which are cells in the body that prevent and fight infections, and tonsils are believed to play a significant role when it comes to immunity and trapping incoming bacteria and virus particles passing through the throat. However, many medical experts agree tonsils do not often perform this function well, and rather become a hindrance, and evidence suggests individuals who have had their tonsils removed are no more likely to suffer from viral or bacterial infections than individuals with their tonsils intact.

Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are hard white or yellow formations located on or within the tonsils, and many individuals who have them, do not even realize they have formed. Tonsil stones can range from the size of rice to a large grape, and in some instances, can grow into larger formations that can cause the tonsils to swell and have an unpleasant odor.

What Causes Tonsil Stones?

The tonsils are filled with numerous nooks and crannies called tonsil crypts, where bacteria, dead cells, mucus, and other debris can becoming trapped. When this occurs, the bacteria can become concentrated into white formations found in the pockets of the tonsils. The bacteria and fungi found in these pockets feed on this build up and causes a distinct odor. Tonsil stones develop when this trapped bacteria hardens or calcifies, which tends to happen to patients with chronic inflammation in their tonsils or repeated instances of tonsillitis. To learn more about tonsillitis, check out Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. Fortunately, many of these stones are rather small, and it is quite rare to have large and solidified tonsil stones develop. Potential causes of tonsil stones include poor dental hygiene, large tonsils, chronic sinus issues, and as previously mentioned, chronic tonsillitis or inflamed tonsils.