subject: Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones With These Ideas [print this page] Most sufferers of severe bad breath or halitosis are also sufferers of tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths as they are medically referred to. These small white deposits form and become stuck on the tonsils and smell horrible. Often these cause bad breath for a person, leaving many with a need to get rid of tonsil stones so they can get rid of the discomfort and the bad breath forever.
In general, these are small white or whitish yellow stones, a bit smaller than a pea. A white tongue usually is a sign that they are present. A combination of different things are said to cause these to form such as food fragments, overactive salivary glands, dead white blood cells, and oral microorganism. Tonsil stones form in the tonsil crevasse in the rear of the mouth and if left alone may cause tonsil blisters. Some lucky people can cough them out or even laugh hard enough to dislodge and swallow them without knowing it.
Because the stones vary in sizes and shapes, many people don't even realize they have them. They may notice bad breath or even frequent sore throats but may not realize they are linked to the same thing. But when they are large, they are noticeable and they are very uncomfortable. However there are a variety of ways to remove them, some being more effective than other ways.
It can be challenging to remove them naturally, but definitely not impossible. A finger or a toothbrush in the back of the throat is one of the first methods many choose. A Q-tip, for those with strong gag reflexes, is another method to try to dislodge them. If a water pik is on hand, this is an effective way to use pressurized water to dislodge and flush the stones out.
Warm salt water, that is gargled with frequently, helps with loosening the stones and in soothing the inflamed tonsils. Because of the smell of the breath, many reach for a mouthwash to gargle with. A special mouthwash is available that uses salt water combined with some natural aromatic extracts that will not only soothe the tonsils but will also freshen the breath.
Irrigation is a proven effective method in dislodging and removing the stones. A fluid is introduced through the mouth and the nose at the same time to flush things out. As the water comes through two different openings, it sandwiches the infected areas and attacks the stones, this dislodges them and forces them off the tonsils.
A dentist can help in battling tonsil stones by prescribing antibiotics to be taken over a course of time. Antibiotics will settle down inflamed tonsils and help in dislodging the stones much easier. If after all natural ways have been tried, the only other step in removing them is through a tonsillectomy. But this is only used when absolutely nothing else as has worked.
Sufferers of tonsil stones not only have to endure embarrassing bad breath, but they have to live with the discomfort they cause also. This leaves many on the lookout on how to get rid of tonsil stones and the discomfort at the same time. Natural methods should always be the first approach and in the majority of cases this is sufficient in getting rid of them and your bad breath together.
