Tonsil stones

[worried0817]

For the past few months I have been noticing that when I would wake up I would have tiny little balls of stuff...it would happen every so often.  I have bad allergies with constant post nasal drip and flem, so I was just thinking it was something like that. Just this past week, I had had a sore throat for about a week withmy left tonsil totally swollen and red.  After a few days I really tried to look at them with a flash light and I saw two white dots.  i automatically thought it was an infection, but the more I looked and felt them, they seemed wierd.  Finally they both came out, they were larger than I had had before, about the size of a large pea... well I have them often , but obviously cant see them till I'm in pain.  I'm 24 years old and hate having this feeling in my throat with the bad taste in the back of my throat.. is this really tonsil stones? Thanks!

[bettyfalzarano]

I had tonsil removed when I was a child, 50 years later I got tonsil stones   .ENT says   years ago then didn't remove the whole tonsil , they always left a little and that's why they now drip down into these pockets in your mouth, never could explain why they left part of it. , I now think I have one  that I can't get out , cuz area is swollen and it's underneath it. so just might have to go to Emergency room  yet again , cuz just can't seem to get some of them out.                                

[AJAAY]

Yup. You got tonsil stones. You can carefully remove the with a q-tip and a flashlight.

[gueap]

I truly believe that your solution is probably the route to go. My 12 year old daughter got her first tonsil stone about a month ago, and they are very annoying. I believe you are right because my other daughter had Molluscum Contagiousm (warts that are contagious) the doctor said we needed to let them run its course 7-12 months. Not possible!! Very painful and irritating, started her on vitamins and a week later they were all gone!! Thanks for this post :)

[dogsbreath]

I will also say that in addition to doing a sinus/nasal rinse with HYPERTONIC solution at least once a day (morning is better), you should also use a nasal SPRAY throughout the day which is filled with the same solution that you use to rinse the sinuses.

The rinse will get rid of big lumps that have collected during the night, but the spray is necessary throughout the day to keep the passage clear and keep mucus moving regularly.

You can buy empty nasal spray bottles from pharmacies (some) or buy from internet. Make sure they are made of safe plastics.

You can also make your own blend of salt & bicarbonate soda, or buy premixed sachets. Just make sure they are pH balanced.

Hypertonic solutions can be too harsh for some, but they are proven to work more effectively but you will have to work with what is best for you.

Here are a few references that are really interesting. If you are not used to reading science research paper then the conclusions should still make some sense and you can work from there....

http://www.ent-journal.com/august2014_casestudy2.pdf

http://apamedcentral.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/0011PJOHNS/pjohns-22-37.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18957157

[Rbtamd]

I went to an ent and had no results but after research and discovering it was tonsil stones (horrible taste from the throat feeling like something was stuck back there and occasionally relief from choking up a little white ball of disgustingness) I decided to talk to a different ent he knew exactly what it was and as of right now he says to gargle twice a day with a 1 to 4 solution of hydrogen peroxide. It works for the taste and smell there is an aftertaste from the solution thats not pleasant but it doesn't last long but there's almost always the feeling of something in my throat and now my ears hurt a lot of the time. I'm going to go back but for right now at least it doesn't seem like I have a mouth full of roadkill. I will try and post again in a month or so when I get tired of putting drops in my ear to relieve the constant popping and see the dr again.

[dogsbreath]

tonsil removal is a day procedure but you won't be able to go back to work. You won't be able to sleep much because of sitting upright to avoid mucus build-up, plus the pain. The pain isn't unbearable with the strong pills but it does make things very awkward. I was surprised at how fast I healed, however I was very sensible about my lifestyle and I did everything I should to allow a fast recovery.

Look into correcting post-nasal drip as a priority.

The problem is a bacterial infection being fed by stagnant mucus from the nasal passages.

I had my tonsils removed because when they used to cough up, they smelled like concentrated cat poo. But the bad breath is still here, a bit better, but I would say that the post-nasal drip is the real problem here and making everything else worse.

[dogsbreath]

I had my tonsils removed last year because of tonsil stones, and I had fresh breath for about two weeks after my scabs had healed.

Then bad breath came back.

I have since concluded that it was only the antibacterials that stopped the smell.

So, even though tonsil stones did stink, the real problem was different....

The next year whilst travelling, I saw an ENT in Thailand (Chiang Mai RAM) where my symptoms were really bad - people could smell my breath from about 3 feet away. The ENT said I had a sinus problem - probably a chronic allergy, and that it was post-nasal drip that was feeding the bacteria.

She put me on a course of medication which included antibacterial pills, something to loosen mucus, and a nasal spray to help with allergies. My breath was sweet fresh within a few days and stayed until the pills ran out.

Again, I believe this was the antibacterials doing all the work, just like after I had my tonsils removed.

Since seeing the ENT, I've been rinsing my sinuses with salt water at least once a day in the morning, sometimes in evening, for the last half a year and it helps keeping fresh during the day.

Nevertheless, if I drink coffee or eat any onions or garlic, my breath stinks for the following week or more.

Choice of toothpaste does help but still only in masking the smell not removing it, and mouthwash is as useless as ever.

The only thing I can think of that will help me is if I have the entrance to my sinuses opened up to remove any blockages that occur when I have an allergic reaction to dust or whatever causes it, and also correcting my deviated septum. In fact, my septum has been deviated since I was 10, so perhaps that is the rot of the problem.

I will repeat, if anyone on here who has bad breath also notices or suspects a post-nasal drip, I would look at fixing that first.

Antibacterials have only ever been the any thing that helped me so far, but I hate using them and DON'T use them because they really mess up your bodies ecology (they kill your good bacteria too, which will eventually cause you other problems).

Good luck.

By the way I did get my tonsils removed free on the NHS last year and it DID help my breath, however, the tonsil stones are only part of the problem, and I don't think I will be cured until I either have sinus surgery or deviated septum corrected.

Also, remember nasal rinsing helps but make sure you use a proper technique and the right combination of salt and bicarb. I got a Hashi nasal rinser from Thailand and it is great and convenient. If I didn't have that I think my breath would be 50% worse.

[AirMAXX]

It has only been a little while but this is what has helped me a lot.
Air destroys the stones, what i do is breath IN and OUT through my nose only, while the back of my mouth is closed. ie DON'T breath in through your nose and allow the air around your mouth. You can breath through your nose with an open mouth as long as the back of the mouth is closed ( Ie so you can't see the middle dangling tonsil) .  Breathing OUT through your mouth a few time helps with saliva and is ok.

[Mrose28]

I get tonsil stones and when my throat feels full I get all kinds of sinus trouble (pain, fullness in the face and ears). I also get dizzy and nauseated and I dont think it's a coincidence because the ear, nose, throat are all connected so if my tonsils are constantly swollen with tonsilliths then I believe that puts some kind of stress on the ears which screws with my middle ear in some way most likely causing the vertigo. This dizziness can come on as if it were an anxiety or panick attack. These are my symptoms but I feel better when I don't have an overgrowth of these things in my throat. Haven't used anything that has cured them but I am sick of this problem. My doctor made a referral to an ENT.

[Julie10772]

Try drinking 1/8 tsp baking soda in a cup of water every night before bed (on empty stomach).  It is so easy and has literally solved my daughter's problem!  We were so disouraged until we found this home remedy.  It REALLY worked for her!  I hope this helps.  (She actually only drinks 1/2 of the mixture and it still works).

[MsTroy5632]

Thank you for typing in caps. I too have been haunted by these embarrassing and irritating tonsil stones. I have searched and searched for cures. I have done just about everything suggested to get rid of them. I recently had a hair analysis done which tells how much calcium , magnesium , zink, iron, and a host of other minerals I have in my system. My results stated that my calcium and magnesium levels were through the roof. Turns out that my body is not absorbing calcium the way it should. Therefore, my body stores it in other areas, for example, my tonsils. Vitamin D is the source that helps the body to absorb the calcium, and if I am lacking Vitamin D. Chances are, calcium is being being redirected to other parts of your body. In my opinion, the Doctors have no idea, that's why we have this forum. My belief is, if we weren't born with this issue, we can get rid of this issue. I encourage everyone to seek out a wholistic facility of some kind, get your blood and body tested. Knowledge is power, our fix can be a mineral analysis away. Cheers to our health and fresh breath:) Hope this helped

[mawella]

I beening having the same problems too, i can feel them in the back of my throat and it taste really bad,i think it has an lot to with allgeries,because i have them,im glad im not the only one with this problem.i didnt know that the dentist could get them out for u, i will be talking to my dentist soon. hopefullyhe can do something about them, i hate to get my tonsils removed, but if it will help then i'm all for it.

[mjg_fire]

I've had tonsil stones for over a year now. i noticed one day i was just spitting these white things out and didn't know what they were. i went to the doctors because i had a sore throat and i saw these white things in the back of my throat and thought it was an infection. he said they were tonsil stones and he said they are from food particles that get stuck in the tonsil crypts. nothing u can do. u can try and pop them out or a doctor can remove them. For me, they just fall out on there own. its an annoying feeling in your mouth and it makes me uncomfortable when i am somewhere and have to cough it out. as for bad breath, i've asked my wife and she said i dont have bad breathe. however, when they do come out they stink bad. good luck everyone that has them!

[Donttestme]

I completely agree with Higgy. I had this same problem! I finally found out I'm allergic to dust mites and my dog:(. I've had on and off nasal infections for the past 2 years. Recently my tonsils became enlarged and was put on antibiotics after finding out I had Tonsillitis. After I got better my stones came less often,  but did make me notice my disgusting looking tonsils with holes in them! It smells horrible and I couldn't stand it! After 2 weeks i returned to the professional who proscribed me the medication for my tonsils and suggested I get a tonsillectomy before my tonsils become infected again. My surgery is next week but its well worth it. Sometimes ....like me your tonsils just do not do their job! When it comes to that its just better to have them removed.

[shell921]

I've had these as a teen ager...finally at age 23 I had my tonsils out. no
problem with them since and I am 64 years old now.

[ems_22]

i use a cotton bud to get mine out, not very gud if u cant stand the feel of wool but its a good way and less likely to cause any damage, i gargle the anti septic mouthwash cordisil as well which i just started doing recently an they come bk less often,wish there was a perminant solution though and ive not had these all the time :S dunno when it all started, i have also quit smoking quite recently

[reese_zmc]

hi, haha they just had an episode about this on Dr. Oz. do u watch it? anyway he said use a Q-tip to get them out yourself. but wouldn't someone trying to do that end up barfing? my friends used to be bulimic and thats how they did it........... be careful is all im sayin!

[sherry2084]

Ugh throat stones i have had these things since i was a teen i finally went to an ear nose and throat doctor all he did was give me a pick like thing to dig them out but yeah lately i have been having and awful sore throats when i get the thoat stones its reallly bothersome.. As for the people thts having  vertigo i think thts more do to an inner ear problem...

[Braintoobig]

I HATE these things! I just started getting them like 2 months ago and I don't understand why. I don't ever have allergies, I've never had tonsilitis, I've only had strep throat once and that was 8 years ago, and I take very good care of my teeth. I have to dig these things out like 2-3 times a week. I'm getting really tired of having to gag myself and choke and have a perpetual sore throat. I know they are "harmless" but they are just so nasty!

Do these things just ever spontaneously stop forming or am I stuck with them for the rest of my life?

[vmj960]

Hello!

I have this problem too!  I will tell you that after being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and being put on a CPAP, they have decreased significantly.  The pressure from CPAP may be assisting in keeping the pockets cleared or it could be that the CPAP keeps my tongue from falling back into my throat clogging them.  I'm not sure!  I think that any weakening of immune system, whether it be vitamin deficiency to sleep disturbances make them worse.  I still get them just before I get sick, but now it is at least manageable!

[neko05]

Hi!!!
Everyone who has tonsil problems and bad breath have a chance to get rid of them for all. I had tonsil stones for almost two years, to till I started using "SINUS WASH".  I wash with it every day for 4 to 5 times a day and gargle with salt and baker soda mixed in a warm water. Very important, when you start washing your nose, hold one of the holes, so it will go all the way and washes all the infections that causing the tonsil stones. The water will go to the back of the throat, don't swallow it. Sometimes I mix one and a half pockets to make it strong. Also I put salt and baker soda mixed inside the tonsils, so it would kill the germs that left over from the stones. Believe me as soon as you start doing this you will feel relieve. I don't have these problems like bad breath and tonsil stones anymore. I am happy and wish you the same.

[NicoleM1973]

Chronic sinus problems, post nasal drip, fluid/pain in my right ear, and raspy/sore throat.  I've been dealing with the tonsil stones for a little over a year now.  Little pieces (balls) just come out of nowhere.  I have a pretty bad gag reflex, so I really reach back in my mouth with any instrument or water pik, unless I want to induce vomitting.  I think I will make an appointment with an ENT based on my readings here.  Perhaps I can kill a few birds with one stone - eliminate the tonsil stones, the chronic sinus/nasal drip and throat pain.  I don't imagine having your tonsils out is a major surgery -- if anyone has had this surgery, is it a day procedure?  Are you able to go back to work within a day or so?

[KRITHI81]

HELLO FRNDS

AM TYPING IN CAPS SO THAT THIS POST IS UNIQUELY VISIBLE.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS FOREVER. FORTUNATELY, I'VE GOT A SOLUTION.

MY ENT DOC TOLD ME THAT I HV TO GET MY TONSILS REMOVED. HOWEVER WHN I TOOK UP THE ANNUAL TEST FOR GLUCOSE, CHOLES., ETC., MY PCP FOUND THAT THE VITAMIN D WAS WAY TOO LOW & I ALSO LACK IRON. SO AM HAVING VIT D IN THE FORM OF VIT TABLET & ALSO IRON IN THE FORM OF RAISINS, SPINACH, DATES, ETC. AND GUESS WHAT ? SNCE THEN THESE STUPID TONSILLOLITHS HV NOT COME BACK ! I HV NOT DONE ANY CHNAGES TO MY DIET EXCEPT HAVING VIT D & MORE IRON REGULARLY, SO PEOPLE, PLS TRY THIS BEF U GO FOR ANY EXTREME TREATMTS.

FYI, I'VE HAD THS TONSIL STONE PROBLEM FOR 3.5 YEARS NOW, SO I KNOW HOW THS FEELS.

[sorethroatninny]

I'm really glad its not just me! Experiencing not only sever annoyance with these little chunks of bother !! I have been experiencing these things on and off for about two years, recently I am noticing a connection between having a cold/flu and a persistant bout of tonsil pain! Can just about manage to squeeze the little blighters out with a cotton bud but this only leads to bleeding and more pain! Where can I buy a water pik from as I think this might be worth a try! !

[AnnaBunting]

My ears/ throat/ back molars have been bothering me for at least three years. I, too, get sick often, and have allergies so my doctor gives me nasal spray and tells me my ears are fine and sends me home. I feel as though he isn't taking me seriously. The "pain" in my ears is more like a lot of pressure, as if I need to clean them out or there is wax trapped in my inner ear. The doctor looked into this and found nothing. I have removed many tonsil stones the size of a lima bean and larger. I do not eat a lot of sugary foods, I eat mainly vegan and organic foods. Could my ear pain be due to the pressure of the tonsil stones? As for my molars, I have had Xrays and regular cleanings, and have great teeth. No problems there. Dentist suggested ear/nasal problems as the cause of the discomfort.