Medicines for Tonsil stones

What it is

Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) are small, hard, whitish or yellowish lumps that form in the little pockets and crevices on the surface of the tonsils. They develop when debris — such as food particles, dead cells and bacteria — collects and hardens in these pockets. They are common and usually harmless. Many people have no symptoms and may not even know they have them, or may notice them as small white specks at the back of the throat, or cough one up. When they do cause symptoms, these can include bad breath (a common complaint, as the trapped bacteria produce smelly compounds), a feeling of something stuck in the throat, mild throat discomfort, and occasionally a bad taste. They are more common in people who get frequent tonsil inflammation or have deeper tonsil crevices. They are not dangerous and are not the same as tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils).

How it is treated

Most tonsil stones need no medical treatment and can be managed with simple measures. Good oral hygiene helps — regular brushing (including the tongue), and gargling with salt water, which can help dislodge stones and freshen the breath. Some people gently remove visible stones themselves (for example with a cotton bud), but this should be done carefully to avoid injuring the delicate tonsil tissue, and vigorous poking is best avoided. Staying well hydrated and not smoking also help. For people with troublesome, recurrent tonsil stones causing persistent bad breath or discomfort despite these measures, a doctor may occasionally consider treatments; and in rare cases where the tonsils are repeatedly problematic, removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is considered, though this is not usually needed just for tonsil stones. The reassuring message is that tonsil stones are common, harmless, and usually manageable with good oral hygiene.