Tonsil Stones and Tonsilloliths:

What it is - What causes it - What to do about it

What are Tonsil Stones?

To understand what tonsil stones are, first you might need a refresher course on what your tonsils actually do. Many people never think about it, but the tonsils are actually your mouth's natural barrier against bacteria. They are lymphatic glands that are designed to prevent respiratory infections and trap bacteria that come through the mouth. Because of this constant contact with bacteria, they are especially susceptible to infections. More often than not, the tonsils are responsible for more harm than good. The bacteria that get trapped on or around the tonsils can build up and form hardened whitish spots that are called “tonsilloliths”, or “tonsil stones” for short. As they go untreated, tonsil stones can continue to attract more bacteria and also produce foul odors and bad breath from the sulfur the bacteria excrete. Because of this, tonsil stones can potentially lead to gum disease and halitosis.

Signs of Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones appear as whitish balls of calcified bacteria and food debris. They are usually just in the crevasses of the tonsils, but can also appear elsewhere in the throat. Sometimes tonsil stones can have no symptoms at all, while others can be severe. Some symptoms that may signal that you have tonsil stones are:

Progression of Periodontitis

Dangers of Tonsil Stones

In some cases tonsil stones can be nothing more than a nuisance. However, because they continue to attract more and more bacteria they can increase the chance of developing gingivitis and other oral conditions by harboring excessive amounts of bacteria. Gum disease has been linked to more serious overall health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This is the biggest reason to maintain a good oral hygiene program, as preventing these conditions starts with taking care of the mouth. This can also cause persistent and chronic bad breath (halitosis).

What causes Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones are primarily caused by bacteria and food particles that get trapped in the cracks and crevasses of the tonsils. It builds up to the point of calcifying (becoming hardened) at which point it can be difficult to remove. Tonsil stones can also be caused by tonsillitis or other oral infections that cause excessive bacteria buildup along with a lessened healing factor.

Cost of Tonsil Stones

One of the first options many assume will work for tonsil stones is to remove them with an oral irrigator. While this is less expensive than other treatment options, it can also be more dangerous. The pressure from an oral irrigator can in many cases be too high, and could actually rupture the tonsils and cause further damage and infection. For that reason, it's not a safe option to consider when dealing with tonsil stones. An oral curettage or scraping can be done to physically remove the stones. However, they can reform in many cases because the root of the problem is not being addressed. Laser resurfacing of the tonsils can be performed also, which help to prevent the large number of spots the stones will form from capturing bacteria. The only other sure fire way to prevent tonsil stones is by having the tonsils removed completely. Or is it?

How to prevent Tonsil Stones - Overcome Bad Bacteria - In 4 Daily Steps

The best chance you have in preventing the onset or progression of tonsil stones is to follow a daily oral hygiene program, with a 100% pure bacteria-fighting oral product.

	Brush twice a day (morning and evening) using 2-5 drops of a 100% pure toothpaste with no chemical additives.
	Floss each evening before brushing, or more frequently as needed.
	Rinse with a 100% pure mouthwash twice daily (morning and evening). Simply put 2-5 drops into one ounce of water, swish and gargle. This kills the bacteria in the entire mouth, including the back of the tongue.
	Mid-morning, mid-afternoon and as needed: put 2-5 drops of a 100% pure breath freshener on the tip of the tongue to coat the gum line and teeth to kill bacteria and keep breath fresh.

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How to treat Tonsil Stones

Tonsil stones start with bacteria so to get rid of them, that's right where you should start also. Don't listen to anyone that tells you that the only way to eliminate tonsil stones is by losing your tonsils altogether. There's no need to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for surgery that will be painful and take time from your life. Follow the 4 steps above while using pure oral care products and follow these additional steps to further treat yourself:

• Avoid tobacco use.
• Visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning.
• Use a strong bacteria fighter that can get into the crevasses of your tonsils and eliminate bacteria.

Did it ever occur to you that the least expensive and painful option might be found in nature?

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