Tonsil Stones

[disneychrista]

Anyone have any experience with them? Did you have them removed? I had a spot on my left tonsil since I had my first bought of Tonsilitis back in January. I had my PC doctor look at it when I had my well check last week and she said it was a tonsil stone. She mentioned it could be removed but that if it wasn't causing issues there was no harm in just leaving it be. Thankfully, as far as I know, I don't have the bad breath that is associated with having tonsil stones, maybe because it is only one (well one and a very tiny one right below it). Today though I started to "feel" it when I swallow and am wondering if I should ask for the referral to the ENT.



https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tonsil-stones-tonsilloliths-treatment-and-prevention

 

[Lehuaann]

Anyone have any experience with them? Did you have them removed? I had a spot on my left tonsil since I had my first bought of Tonsilitis back in January. I had my PC doctor look at it when I had my well check last week and she said it was a tonsil stone. She mentioned it could be removed but that if it wasn't causing issues there was no harm in just leaving it be. Thankfully, as far as I know, I don't have the bad breath that is associated with having tonsil stones, maybe because it is only one (well one and a very tiny one right below it). Today though I started to "feel" it when I swallow and am wondering if I should ask for the referral to the ENT.



https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tonsil-stones-tonsilloliths-treatment-and-prevention

You can take a q-tip and very gently push on the side of them. Sometimes they’ll pop out. If it doesn’t, seek treatment. I wouldn’t keep poking.

 

[goofyernmost]

Amazing, after 74 years on the planet I can honestly say that this is the very first time I have ever heard of Tonsil Stones. I did have tonsillitis 69 years ago and had my Tonsils removed (standard procedure at the time). I haven't even heard of anyone having tonsillitis in at least 50 years. Is this a new way of saying "infected tonsil"?

 

[FreeTime]

I had to have my tonsils removed after battling these for years. They are disgusting! As someone else said you can gently push it to see if it will come out. I would often find when doing that more than the little dot would come out, so be prepared.

 

[slo]

When I was a teenager I used to get them all the time - they were awful. I’d stick my finger down my throat to push them out (disgusting, I know, but I was teenager ). Eventually I did get my tonsils removed when I was 17.

OP…if it gets worse I would ask to have your tonsils removed so you don’t have to deal with this, because it is unpleasant. Take care!

 

[Kitty 34]

Never have heard of tonsil stones but then I had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Good luck to you.

 

[design_mom]

I hate those things. I agree that sometimes gently scraping your tonsils works (if you don't gag). My doctor also recommends gargling with warm salt water.

I was plagued by those for years and years. I also used to get strep throat repeatedly. When I was little my doctors used to "threaten" to take my tonsils out if it kept happening. Finally, as a teen, I begged them to just do it... and they said "we don't do that anymore." So I'm 50, still have my tonsils, and I'm still battling these stupid things!

 

[mumto3girls]

Ugh. Until 30 seconds ago I had never heard of such a thing, now I am afraid of getting one!

Sorry OP, don’t know a thing about tonsil stones, but I am wishing you all the best.

 

[FreeTime]

I hate those things. I agree that sometimes gently scraping your tonsils works (if you don't gag). My doctor also recommends gargling with warm salt water.

I was plagued by those for years and years. I also used to get strep throat repeatedly. When I was little my doctors used to "threaten" to take my tonsils out if it kept happening. Finally, as a teen, I begged them to just do it... and they said "we don't do that anymore." So I'm 50, still have my tonsils, and I'm still battling these stupid things!

I had to go to the doctor for three years after having experienced them for decades to finally get referred to an ENT. Finally they agreed to take the tonsils out and said they wish they had taken the tonsils out when I was a teenager is much easier than getting them done when you’re 40. It was a rough recovery but it has been great since not dealing with the stinky clumpy nasty things. Go see an ENT.

 

[snoopy two]

YouTube it. Maybe do that after dinner….

 

[Moliphino]

I used to get them all the time when I was in my teens to early 20s. I could usually work them out myself. I haven't had issues with them in a while, but I have no idea why. I still have my tonsils.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I used to get strep a lot as a teen and young adult. It hasn't been a problem for about 20 years. (Hmmm, high school and college kids are gross.) But I have had on and off issues with blocked salivary glands and other calcium type stones. That was a weird surgery. Additionally, I have swollen tonsils during the allergy seasons. Anyway, my ENT doesn't think they're bad enough to remove.

So, yes, I've been getting tonsil stones for at least 30 years. I can always get them out myself. They seem to coincidence nicely with the allergies and swollen tonsils, hmmm. Anyway, drink plenty of fluids. Gargling mouthwash can help too. I didn't tell you that Sudafed or Flonase dries up my sinuses and makes a big difference, but hmmm. Mostly, manually pushing them out works best for me.

 

[Moliphino]

Amazing, after 74 years on the planet I can honestly say that this is the very first time I have ever heard of Tonsil Stones. I did have tonsillitis 69 years ago and had my Tonsils removed (standard procedure at the time). I haven't even heard of anyone having tonsillitis in at least 50 years. Is this a new way of saying "infected tonsil"?

Tonsillitis is literally "inflammation of the tonsils", it can be caused by viral or bacterial infections.

 

[disneychrista]

I tired pooping tried popping it out myself but it didn’t budge. My PC says I have large tonsils and they are more susceptible to getting tonsil stone. To me my tonsils look gross/unhealthy. After battling tonsillitis for a couple months last winter I wouldn’t mind getting them removed.

 

[Meriweather]

I had never heard of them.....I still have my tonsils

 

[princesscinderella]

Definitely best to try the q-tip technique first to see if you can get it to dislodge. Make sure it’s wet it will be easier and less harsh on the tonsil. I also recommend doing it on an empty stomach as you may gag.

 

[SharonZ]

I had my tonsils taken out as an adult. I developed quinsy which is an abscess that develops in the back of the throat. The doctors decided that quinsy, tonsil stones, and strep throat were reason to take my tonsils out. A tonsillectomy as an adult is not fun!

 

[Nora03]

I’ve been dealing with this problem for four or five years. I haven’t found a solution, but have tried lots of things. It comes and goes, and sometimes it’s really bad. I get a sore throat and often cough them out. I gargle with warm salt water, mouthwash and it helps a bit. At 72 I’m not having surgery to remove my tonsils, but would do it if I was younger. I wish there was a treatment. I would do anything except surgery (for me).

 

[DLgal]

I've had these since my teens. I still get them occasionally, and my clue that I have one is a one sided sore throat. Once I pop it out, the pain disappears. They are gross, but pretty easy to get out, I don't use a q tip, though, I just use my finger pushed up against the side of my tonsil. Works every time with minimal gagging. My allergist said I get them so much due to allergies and post nasal drip. The constant drip of mucus down the throat collects in the tonsils and causes them. They get worse when my allergies flare due to high pollen counts.

Tonsillectomy is a serious surgery for an adult and is far more dangerous than tonsil stones, which are simply a nuisance. They are not actually harmful and do not indicate infection. I would never subject myself to that surgery just because of tonsil stones.

 

[Nora03]

I do that too DGal. Another thing I’ve been doing for the last year is a sinus rinse, and that might have helped. I had a sinus headache the whole of last summer (2021) and tried doing a sinus rinse as a last resort. I have been diligent at doing this every day and sometimes twice a day if I feel a sinus headache coming on. I resisted it for a long time but found there is nothing to it. It’s easy and not uncomfortable. If it helps I’ll do it.