Tonsil Stones: Removal, Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
Maybe your like
- Health ConditionsHealth Conditions
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Anxiety
- Asthma & Allergies
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Health
- COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Environment & Sustainability
- Exercise & Fitness
- Eye Health
- Headache & Migraine
- Health Equity
- HIV & AIDS
- Human Biology
- Leukemia
- LGBTQIA+
- Men's Health
- Mental Health
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Nutrition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Psoriasis
- Sexual Health
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Women's Health
- Health ProductsHealth ProductsAll
- Nutrition & Fitness
- Vitamins & Supplements
- CBD
- Sleep
- Mental Health
- At-Home Testing
- Men’s Health
- Women’s Health
- DiscoverNews
- Latest News
- Medicare 2026 Costs
- Medical Myths
- Honest Nutrition
- Through My Eyes
- New Normal Health
- Is sleep the missing piece in mental health?
- Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far
- Does the Mediterranean diet hold the key to longevity?
- AMA: Registered dietitian answers 5 key questions about fiber and weight loss
- Health misinformation and disinformation: How to avoid it
- Brain health, sleep, diet: 3 health resolutions for 2025
- ToolsGeneral Health
- Drugs A-Z
- Health Hubs
- Newsletter
- Medicare Plans by State
- Find a Doctor
- BMI Calculators and Charts
- Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide
- Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide
- Sleep Calculator
- RA Myths vs Facts
- Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction
- ConnectAbout Medical News Today
- Who We Are
- Our Editorial Process
- Content Integrity
- Conscious Language
- Bezzy Breast Cancer
- Bezzy MS
- Bezzy Migraine
- Bezzy Psoriasis
Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Belinda Weber — Updated on May 21, 2024- What are tonsil stones?
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Complications
- Prevention
- Summary
Tonsil stones are small, hard lumps that form on the tonsils’ surface due to a debris buildup.
In this article, we will explain tonsil stones, how to remove them, what causes them, and how to prevent them. We will also look at any possible complications that may require medical intervention.
Share on PinterestWhat are tonsil stones, and how can I remove them?
Tonsil stones form when debris, such as food, dead cells, bacteria, and other substances, becomes trapped on the tonsils.
The debris hardens as calcium builds up around it, forming tonsil stones. These stones are also called “tonsil calculi” or “tonsilloliths.” They are usually visible as white or yellowish lumps.
Extraction
Tonsil stones are generally easy to extract; some people remove them when coughing. Gargling with salty water may also dislodge them.
People with tonsil stones may be able to loosen them by gently pressing on the surrounding tissue with a cotton swab. However, the throat tissues are delicate, so to avoid injury, a person with tonsil stones should be careful not to push too hard.
A water flosser can flush out tonsil stones cleanly without introducing bacteria to the mouth and tonsils. Some people will water floss after meals or daily to prevent debris from accumulating and prevent tonsil stones.
What causes tonsil stones?
As tonsils are made of lymphoid tissue, they can have crypts, holes in their surface. Debris may build up on these surfaces before often being swallowed or washed away by saliva.
Tonsil stones develop when bacteria and other debris get trapped in tiny crevices on the tonsils.
What are the symptoms of tonsil stones?
Most tonsil stones are small, and a person is unlikely to experience symptoms. However, potential symptoms include:
- halitosis, or bad breath (tonsil stones provide a home for anaerobic bacteria, which produce foul-smelling sulfides)
- a sense that something is caught in the back of the mouth or throat
- an irritating cough
- a bad taste in the mouth
- swollen and inflamed tonsils
Tonsil stones can look like small white or yellow flecks at the back of the throat. A large stone may be visible. Some are large enough to jut out of the tonsils, resembling tiny rocks trapped in the mouth.
Similar conditions
Other conditions that can mimic the symptoms of tonsil stones include:
- tonsillitis
- strep throat
- gum disease and tooth decay:
- tonsil cancer
- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
An otolaryngologist, or ear, nose, and throat doctor, can treat most tonsil and throat conditions.
Surgical treatment
In rare cases a doctor may recommend surgery to remove tonsil stones that cannot be extracted by other means.
In most cases, the first-line surgery in the United States to prevent tonsil stones from recurring is a tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of the tonsils. A tonsillectomy is safe, but it can cause throat pain for several days after the procedure. Like all surgeries, tonsillectomy carries some risks.
If a person is not eligible for a tonsillectomy, a doctor may suggest treating tonsil stones with laser resurfacing.However, this is not a common practice.
A paper published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology explains that this process, called coblation cryptolysis, smoothes the surface of the tonsils, reducing the number of crevices in which tonsil stones can grow.
Complications
Tonsil stones are usually harmless. However, they may cause discomfort and impact a person’s ability to swallow.
In some instances, the presence of tonsil stones may increase the risk of infections in the throat and mouth.
Prevention
Practicing good oral hygiene, including frequent brushing and flossing, may reduce the risk of tonsil stones. Irrigating the tonsils and mouth with a water flosser may also help by washing away debris and bacteria.
Summary
Tonsil stones are small, hard lumps that form in crevices on the surface of the tonsils. They are usually harmless, although they can cause bad breath.
Many people can dislodge them with a cotton swab or by gargling. However, to help prevent harmful bacteria from entering the mouth, people should always use clean cotton swabs.
A doctor may recommend surgery if a person cannot remove their tonsil stones at home.
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Alfayez A et al. (2018). A giant tonsillolith.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938656/
- Elsayad OA, et al. (2021). Coblation cryptolysis for treatment of tonsillar stones: a randomized clinical study.https://ejo.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43163-021-00106-9
- Erdur O, et al. (2021). Coblation cryptolysis method in treatment of tonsil caseum-induced halitosis.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196070921001769
- Kajan ZD, et al. (2016). Prevalence and patterns of palatine and adenoidal tonsilloliths in cone-beamed computed tomography images of an Iranian population.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4993058/
- Singh P, et al. (2019). Giant tonsillolith: A rare oropharyngeal entity.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214541919300355
- Tonsillectomy: Surgery to remove your tonsils. (2013).https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/surgery/day-surgery/tonsillectomy.pdf
- Tonsils and adenoids. (2021).https://www.entnet.org//content/tonsils-and-adenoids
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — Written by Belinda Weber — Updated on May 21, 2024Latest news
- Being at high altitudes could help blood sugar control: Here's why
- Eating high amounts of red meat may raise diabetes risk by as much as 49%
- 5 facts and myths about protein, unpicked by experts
- Expert birders have younger brains: How expertise may protect brain health
- AI tool may offer early warning of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis
Related Coverage
- What causes tonsil stones and how to prevent themMedically reviewed by Kristen M. Moyer, MD
Tonsil stones are hard stones that form in the tonsils. They do not always produce symptoms, but some people may experience bad breath, a sore throat…
READ MORE - What to know about salivary stonesMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH
Stones can sometimes form in the salivary glands of the mouth. If a stone becomes large enough, it can block the gland, which can lead to pain and…
READ MORE - Are holes in tonsils normal?
Holes in the tonsils, or tonsillar crypts, can trap bacteria and become blocked with food and other debris. Some infections can cause the tonsils to…
READ MORE - Everything to know about tonsil cystsMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP
Tonsil cysts may cause no symptoms and are generally no cause for concern. But a doctor should rule out other, similar health issues. Learn more here.
READ MORE - What to know about tonsils and adenoidsMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP
The tonsils and adenoids play a role in helping the body fight infection, but they can become enlarged and require treatment. Learn more.
READ MORE
Tag » Why Do Tonsil Stones Stink
-
Tonsil Stones: Symptoms, Treatments, And More - Healthline
-
Why Do Tonsil Stones Smell So Bad? - TheraBreath
-
Scientists Prove The Obvious: Tonsil Stones Smell Terrible
-
Are Tonsil Stones Causing Your Bad Breath? - Scripps Health
-
Ever Get A Foul Unpleasant Smell In Your Mouth Or Feel Like You Have ...
-
Tonsil Stones: Removal, Treatment, Causes, Symptoms & Smell
-
What Do Tonsil Stones Smell Like? - Quora
-
Are Tonsil Stones Causing Your Bad Breath? - YouTube
-
What Are Tonsil Stones? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment ...
-
Trouble With Tonsil Stones And Bad Breath | Colgate®
-
Tonsil Stones (Tonsillolith): Causes, Symptoms, Removal & Treatment
-
Tonsil Stones Might Be Causing Your Bad Breath
-
More Sufferers Open About Their Tonsil Stones - The New York Times
-
Trouble With Tonsil Stones Smell And Bad Breath | Colgate® SG