What Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil Stones Symptoms

Many small tonsil stones, such as rice-sized ones, do not cause any noticeable symptoms, and in some cases, large tonsil stones can be discovered on X-rays or CT scans. Regardless of size, tonsil stones can have a variety of symptoms including bad breath, sore throat, white or yellow debris, difficulty swallowing, tonsil swelling, ear pain, and an ongoing cough. One of the predominant signs of tonsil stones is exceedingly bad breath, or halitosis, accompanying a tonsil infection. One study discovered the volatile sulfur compounds were found in a patient’s bad breath, and seventy-five percent of the patients who had unusually high concentrations of these compounds had tonsil stones.

Some tonsil stones can also be visible in the back of the throat where a lump of solid white or yellow debris can be found. However, in most cases, tonsil stones are hidden in the folds of the tonsils. Ear pain can also develop as the tonsils and ears share nerve pathways, resulting in the patient experiencing discomfort in their ear. Tonsil swelling is another typical symptom, and occurs when inflammation from infection is present, as well as the tonsil stone itself may cause a tonsil to become swollen.

Treating Tonsil Stones

The proper treatment for tonsil stones varies and mainly depends on the size of the stone and its potential to further cause discomfort or harm. Treatment options include at-home removal, salt water gargles, antibiotics, surgical removal, and not treating the stones at all. Many tonsil stones, especially small stones with no accompanying symptoms, do not require any special treatment and can alleviate themselves. At-home removal includes an individual choosing to dislodge their tonsil stones at home with the use of picks or swabs, which is not recommended until the patient has a medical professional examine their stones.

Gargling with warm, salty water can be an immense help with easing discomfort, and antibiotics can be used to treat tonsil stones, as although it can alleviate pain, it does not correct the initial problem causing the tonsil stones.