Tonsilloliths

Some treatments can be used at home, others require professional medical interventions. It all depends on the complexity of the approach and the severity of the patient’s condition.

Removing by Yourself

Some people prefer dislodging tonsil stones with a clean toothpick or a swab. Yet, such a treatment is neither the safest nor the most efficient. On the one hand, the risk of infections is higher due to the possibility of tissue injury, and on the other, you do not eliminate the cause of the tonsil stones, and they will form again.

Keep a strict oral hygiene!

  • Brush your teeth after every meal! Chewing gum to promote good oral health is only partly convenient (check the health implications of chewing gum). If you can’t brush your teeth because you’re at work, a bottle of mouthwash in your purse or work bag will do the trick.
  • Rinse your mouth with salt water. Gargling may help dislodge the stones while the salt in the water acts as a local throat disinfectant, reducing the risk of infections.
  • Don’t eat thirty minutes before going to bed.

Balance your diet!

Food excesses may sometimes be an indirect cause for lots of health problems from overweight to yeast infections and tonsilloliths. People are less informed on these less obvious consequences of an imbalanced diet. Here are some suggestions to make the dietary adjustments meant to help you in the fight against tonsil stones!

  • Eat less refined sugars (biscuits, chocolate, candies, cookies, ice-cream etc).
  • Reduce the daily caffeine intake (coffee, coke or black tea).
  • Eat fewer dairy products. In order not to develop anemia derived from an insufficient intake of minerals, talk to the doctor about the administration of a multivitamin and mineral supplement.
  • Eat foods that boost up the immune function, thus preventing respiratory infections (dark-green foods, wild berries, citrus fruits, kiwis, parsley etc).

What about step-by-step self-treatment product?

There are several e-books and self-treatment formulas available on the market that advertise the great benefits of tonsil stones self-removal. Unfortunately, you can’t extract enough information out of the product presentation. You are being told that:

  • the method is safe;
  • you’ll eliminate foul breath;
  • you won’t develop it again;
  • you can deal with the problem at home;
  • there are no side effects etc.

However, caution is recommended for such products because they may prove to be a solution you’ve already tried and failed with. Or they could ultimately be a total waste of money! Beware!

Get professional advice!

If you suffer from repeated and sometimes unexplained sore throats, if you feel pain when swallowing and there seems to be something in the throat that does not go away, talk to the doctor for professional diagnosis of your condition.

Tonsil stones are easy to recognize, but only the specialist can determine the severity of your health problem.

Always follow doctor’s recommendations, and discuss multiple treatment options in order to treat not only the symptoms but also the causes.