Tonsil Stone Removal: What Actually Works?

The best way to remove tonsil stones is with a solid oral hygiene routine. Rinse with mouthwash or warm salt water a few times daily, and this will typically remove the tonsil stones over time.

If this isn’t effective, you may need to have very large or bothersome tonsil stones surgically removed. But surgical removal is very rare.

What Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are common, and they typically have no disruptive symptoms. About 8% of people develop tonsil stones. When you look in a mirror and open your mouth, you can look toward the back of your throat and perhaps see a few whitish specks. These may be tonsil stones.

Many people never even know they have tonsil stones. They could have instances of bad breath, or they may even experience a temporary sore throat, but they don’t know the cause.  Tonsil stones usually dislodge on their own and require no treatment. In rare cases, you need to manage them, especially if your dentist has determined that tonsil stones are the cause of your halitosis. It is unlikely that you will need any invasive procedures since home remedies are often effective at dislodging the stones, but sometimes, surgical procedures are needed to remove chronic or large tonsil stones.

Symptoms of Tonsil Stones

While many people can experience tonsil stones without knowing it, some may experience symptoms like these:

• Foul-smelling breath (halitosis)

• Repeated and unexplained coughing

• Aching in ear

• Problems swallowing, and/or a feeling of something lodged in throat

• Tonsils that appear to have light patches

• Unpleasant and unfamiliar taste in mouth

• Coughing up small stones (white or yellowish in color)

• Painful sore throat and/or unexplained throat infections

Tonsil Stones vs. Other Throat Conditions

Are you dealing with tonsil stones, or do you have another condition that’s hurting your throat? This chart can help you examine the symptoms associated with other conditions that are often confused with tonsil stones:

Notice that tonsil stones don’t cause a fever, unlike many of the other issues we’ve discussed. Tonsil stones are also the only condition we’ve mentioned that can cause a visible, rock-like item on the surface of your tonsil.

How to Try Tonsil Stone Removal at Home

If you notice signs of tonsil stones and you can see them when you look in the mirror, it’s possible to try tonsil stone removal at home.

At-home tonsil stone removal isn’t safe if you’re in deep pain or the stone is bleeding. You’ll need a doctor’s help for these cases. But you could use a few simple methods to get rid of stones at home.

Here’s what to try:

1. Cough. Take a deep breath in, and cough from your stomach as hard as you can. You may dislodge some stones sitting on the surface of your tonsils.

2. Try gargling. Warm distilled water, add a pinch of salt, and gargle deep into the back of your mouth. You may see stones when you spit.

3. Use a cotton swab. If the two methods we’ve listed haven’t worked, try poking the stones you can see with a cotton swab. You may be able to gently remove the stone from your tonsils with the tip of the swab.

4. Try a stream of water. A water flosser or Waterpik (also called an oral irrigator) uses a stream of water to remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from the teeth and gums. Aim the water at your tonsil stone, and you may be able to dislodge it.

If your at-home treatments don’t work, contact your doctor. You may need a professional’s help to remove the stones and restore you to good health.

Consult with your dental provider when tonsil stones are large, causing you excessive pain, or blocking your throat or airway.

Tonsillectomy to Remove Tonsil Stones

Sometimes, people who develop a large, irritating tonsil stone or consistent and painful tonsil stones consult their doctor for other options. When home remedies are not enough, your doctor or dentist may recommend surgically removing your tonsils, known as a tonsillectomy.

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia. The American Society of Anesthesiologists says surgery and anesthesia are safer than they’ve been in the past, but they can include some risk. Some people have breathing problems during or after surgery, and some develop severe reactions to the anesthesia medications.

Surgeries can also involve long and painful recovery times. You will be monitored in the hospital or surgery center as the anesthesia wears off, but you can typically go home the same day. Recovery takes between one and two weeks.

During the first week, try to avoid activities involving too many people, as your risk of infection is higher than normal. You should be able to return to normal activities like work or school quickly after the procedure. If you have any ongoing issues once you return home, like a continuing sore throat, swallowing frequently, or bleeding, call your doctor as soon as possible. These complications are very rare.

With some relaxation and soft foods, you are well on your way to recovery. Be sure to go to any follow-up appointments your doctor sets for you after the procedure.

In general, doctors don’t recommend tonsillectomy for mild or moderate cases of tonsil stones. These are solutions for severe cases only.

Alternatives to Tonsillectomy

With today’s dental advances, there are other in-office options to treat tonsil stones. These include the following:

• Laser tonsil cryptolysis: Tonsil stones are often created in the “crypts” of the tonsils, where food particles and bacteria can accumulate to form the stones. With laser tonsil cryptolysis, parts of the tonsils (including the problematic crypts) are removed through vaporization, using a carbon dioxide laser. General anesthesia is used and the procedure is not painful.

• Coblation tonsil cryptolysis: This technique uses natural saline and radioactive frequencies to remove parts of the tonsils. Considered to be a more gentle alternative to tonsillectomy, recovery after coblation therapy may take only a few days.

How to Prevent Tonsil Stones

With a few simple changes to your daily routine, you could reduce your risk of developing future tonsil stones.

Ensure that you brush your teeth several times per day with toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Follow with floss to remove any particles stuck between your teeth. When your teeth are clean and shiny, use the brush or a tongue scraper to remove any remaining food and bacteria from the rough surface of your tongue. Follow up your routine with an antimicrobial mouthwash.

Staying hydrated may help too, as each sip of fluid you take could help to wash stones away. Use water or herbal teas that don’t advance tooth decay or introduce sugars into your diet.

Some people find that adding a little roughage to their diet can help. Foods like crunchy vegetables can help scrape their tonsils when they swallow, and the vitamins can help their bodies heal and stay healthy.

If you are still experiencing tonsil stones or excessive plaque buildup, even with a diligent dental care routine, there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed in order to improve your oral health. This could include any of these:

• A chronic health condition: Some health problems, including diabetes and certain autoimmune disorders, are linked to tooth decay and gum disease.

• Dry mouth: Some medications, lifestyle choices (such as smoking), and health issues can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of plaque buildup and decay in the mouth.

• Teeth misalignment: An untreated teeth misalignment (malocclusion) can cause tooth decay, problems cleaning the teeth, and friction between teeth and gums that could result in inflammation and bacteria buildup.

• Missing teeth: Not replacing a lost tooth can allow for plaque buildup in the area where the tooth is missing.

Contact Your Doctor About Chronic Halitosis or Other Symptoms

If you cannot remove tonsil stones by yourself, visit your doctor to get appropriate treatment.

Your dentist may notice the formation of tonsil stones. In some instances, this can indicate higher levels of bacteria in your mouth. This could suggest to your dentist that you need more dental cleanings, may have an underlying infection like gingivitis, or need an additional step in your oral hygiene routine.

In general, tonsil stones rarely affect your daily life. You probably will not notice that you have them at all. If you have concerns about bad breath or pain around your throat or jaw, which is not related to another illness like an ear infection, speak with your doctor for a diagnosis and recommendations.