What are Tonsil Stones Summary?
What Are Tonsil Stones?
As debris becomes concentrated in formations that occur in the pocket – Tonsil Ball Stones are formed at the back of the mouth. Tonsil stones are not clearly visible and they range from rice to pea-sized.
Tonsils are the soft, fleshy structures that are located in the throat. They are comprised of specific tissues, made up of lymphocytes, which are cells in the body and helps in boosting the immune system by fighting and preventing infections.
In most of the cases, tonsils work day and night and protect us from invading bacteria and viruses. However, there are reasons which make these tonsil stones not to perform its function and thus tonsil stones are formed.
People suffering from tonsil stones commonly don’t realize they have them.
Tonsil stones rarely lead to larger health complications.
- However, sometimes they grow into larger tonsilloliths that cause swelling in the tonsils. Learn how you can get rid of Tonsil Stones naturally.
- You will hear a lot about tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths. These are the benign build-up of food debris, dead skin cells, and bacteria in the crevices and pockets of the tonsils. They can cause a lot of discomforts, and that is why people want to know Are tonsil stones good or bad?
- It goes without saying that anything that is not supposed to grow on your tonsils cannot really be good. While tonsil stones are not a threat to your health or life, they can cause severe discomfort. However, if the tonsil stones keep growing, the large size can prevent you from swallowing food or even lead to respiratory obstruction. Under such circumstances, tonsil stones can be downright dangerous.
How are Tonsils Formed?
Tonsillitis or tonsils is an inflammation that affects a large number of children and adults every year.
Though the vast majority of cases occur in children between the age of 5 and 15.
Not many people know this, but the tonsils consist of nooks and crannies, where bacterias and other materials like dead cells and mucous easily get trapped. This is when the debris becomes concentrated in white formations that occur in the pocket. When this debris gets trapped and calcifies, this leads to the formation of tonsils.
One of the major reasons behind the tonsil stone formation is the sulfur forming bacterias that get accumulated and also the debris that we have talked about gets lodged in the tonsils.
This debris includes not just the food particles, but also the mucus from the postnatal drip. This matter decays in the back of the throat regions and remains collected in the small crevices present on the surface of the tonsils.
This affected area further attracts additional debris after which calcifications of the debris starts. This might lead to the formation of a large single tonsil stone or formation of multiple tonsils in small size.
Reasons Behind Tonsilloliths
Well, tonsils are made up of tunnels, crevices and tonsil crypts.
- Different types of debris such as mucus, dead cells, saliva and food particles get trapped and deposited to form pockets.
- Fungi and bacteria feed on these build ups and leads to contribute to a distinctly unpleasant odor.
- Over the time, this debris calcifies to various degrees of hardness. This leads to the formation of tonsil stones. Some people have just one tonsil stone whereas others have many smaller formations.
Whitish and yellowish irregularly shaped stones that are often found in the crypts of the tonsils are known as tonsil stones or tonsillitis. They may not be as harmful or dangerous for your health as you think, but these stones can cause bad breath in some cases.
Tonsil stones, mostly formed in the back of the mouth behind your wisdom teeth and lower molars. Sometimes, these calcified stones also gather on the roof of the mouth and even in the back of the mouth. Though these stones mainly found in the tonsils.
Symptoms of Tonsil Stones Formation
One of the most convenient ways to point out a tonsil stone is by looking at your tonsils. If you see white or yellow bumps or pockets on or around your tonsils and throat, chances are that you may have tonsillitis. If you ever cough out yellowish foul smell particles with irregular shape, you are most likely infected with them. In most cases, Tonsils and bad breath, along with sore throat are closely related.
Symptoms Of Tonsil Stones
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Sore throat
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Bad Breath
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Inflammation and swelling
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Chocking Coughing
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Ear Pain
Metallic Taste in Mouth
Tonsil Stones Symptoms – Seeing White Stones
Tonsil Stones Symptoms Large Stones
Small numbers of tonsil stores don’t have any visible symptoms and some of them can be detected only by CT scan or X-ray scans. There can be multiple symptoms of tonsils
- Bad Breath
One of the major possible symptoms of tonsils could be bad breath, which could be accompanied by an infection in tonsils. - A sore throat
The presence of tonsil stone can also cause pain or infection in the throat. It can cause discomfort while swallowing liquid or solid-fluid as well depending on the size of tonsil stone and location. - Ear Pain
In some of the cases, it has been seen that tonsil stone also causes severe ear pain the stones are developed near to tonsils even though the stone doesn’t touch the ear directly. - Inflammation
Formation of Tonsil Stones can also cause inflammation or infection which can even result in tonsil swelling as well.
Are Tonsil Stones Good or Bad?
You will hear a lot about tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths.
As you can see, tonsil stones are definitely bad, but there are a few things you can do to prevent them from developing on and in your tonsils.
These are the benign build-up of food debris, dead skin cells, and bacteria in the crevices and pockets of the tonsils. They can cause a lot of discomforts, and that is why people want to know Are tonsil stones good or bad?
It goes without saying that anything that is not supposed to grow on your tonsils cannot really be good. While tonsil stones are not a threat to your health or life, they can cause severe discomfort. However, if the tonsil stones keep growing, the large size can prevent you from swallowing food or even lead to respiratory obstruction. Under such circumstances, tonsil stones can be downright dangerous.
There can be nothing good about a tonsil stone that is leading to bad breath. It can wreak havoc with your social and romantic life. Due to the foul, sulfur-like odour emanating from your mouth, people may give you a wide berth.
What are Tonsil Stones Summary
Debris becomes concentrated in formations that occur in the pocket – Tonsil Ball Stones are formed at the back of the mouth
– Different types of debris such as mucus, dead cells, saliva and food particles get trapped and deposited to form pockets.
– Bad Breath
– A sore throat
– Ear Pain
– Inflammation
tonsil stones are not too dangerous or life-threatening, it is best to avoid them from occurring as they can cause a lot of discomforts and reduce the quality of life
I have had a metallic taste for a year and a half. Recently my dentist did a panoramic x-ray and found I have lots of tonsil stones. We wonder if this could be the cause of the taste. My ENT said he did not think so. I am looking for a second opinion.
How do you avoid tonsil stones from occurring?