👄 Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)
Tonsil stones are small, hard, whitish or yellowish formations that develop in the crevices (crypts) of the tonsils. They are made up of accumulated debris like dead cells, mucus, food particles, and bacteria that calcify over time.
🧬 Causes:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Chronic tonsillitis or inflammation
- Large tonsil crypts (deep pockets)
- Dry mouth
- Post-nasal drip
🩺 Symptoms:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Feeling of something stuck in the throat
- Sore throat or irritation
- Difficulty swallowing (less common)
- Visible white or yellow lumps on the tonsils
- Ear pain (referred from throat)
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Physical exam by looking at the tonsils
- Sometimes imaging if stones are large or recurrent
💊 Treatment:
- Home care:
- Gargling with salt water or mouthwash
- Using a cotton swab or water irrigator gently to remove stones
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Medical treatments:
- Antibiotics if there’s infection
- Laser or cryptolysis to reduce tonsil crypts
- Surgical:
- Tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils) in severe or recurrent cases