Dr. Oz Tonsil Stones Symptoms And Treatments
In this segment of Dr. Oz Tonsil Stones Symptoms And Treatments. Leanna told Dr Oz she has tonsil stones in her mouth at times, and asked Oz why does she get tonsil stones and how she can prevent getting them. Dr Oz said said tonsil stones are pretty common, but they can cause bad breath. Oz also did a show on Bad Breath Halitosis Breath Of The Dead , and home remedies for bad breath.
Symptoms Of Tonsil Stones (tonsilloliths)?
- Bad breath . One of the prime indicators of a tonsil stone is exceedingly bad breath, or halitosis, that accompanies a tonsil infection.
- Sore throat
- White debris. Some tonsil stones are visible in the back of the throat as a lump of solid white material.
- Difficulty swallowing. Depending on the location or size of the tonsil stone, it may be difficult or painful to swallow foods or liquids.
- Ear pain. Tonsil stones can develop anywhere in the tonsil. Because of shared nerve pathways, they may cause a person to feel referred pain in the ear, even though the stone itself is not touching the ear.
- Tonsil swelling. When collected debris hardens and a tonsil stone forms, inflammation from infection (if present) and the tonsil stone itself may cause a tonsil to swell or become larger.
What causes tonsil stones (tonsilloliths)?
Your tonsils are filled with nooks and crannies where bacteria and other materials, including dead cells and mucous, can become trapped. When this occurs, the debris can become concentrated in white formations that occur in the pockets.
Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are formed when this trapped debris hardens, or calcifies. This tends to occur most often in people who suffer from chronic inflammation in their tonsils or repeated bouts of tonsillitis.
How To Treat Tonsil Stones
- At-home removal. Some people choose to dislodge tonsil stones at home with the use of picks or swabs.
Salt water gargles. Gargling with warm, salty water may help alleviate the discomfort of tonsillitis, which often accompanies tonsil stones. - Antibiotics – Various antibiotics can be used to treat tonsil stones. While they may be helpful for some people, they cannot correct the basic problem that is causing tonsilloliths. Also, antibiotics can have side effects.
- Surgical removal – When tonsil stones are exceedingly large and symptomatic, it may be necessary for a surgeon to remove them. In certain instances, a doctor will be able to perform this relatively simple procedure using a local numbing agent. Then the person with the tonsil stone will not need general anesthesia.
How Can You Prevent Tonsil Stones (tonsilloliths)?
Since tonsil stones are more common in people who have chronic tonsillitis, the only surefire way to prevent their occurrence is with surgical removal of the tonsils. This procedure, known as a tonsillectomy, removes the tissues of the tonsils entirely, thereby eliminating the possibility of tonsillolith formation.
