Treatment For Tonsil Stones Options That Are Helpful
Many people have their tonsils removed at an early age due to infections
. The tonsils are small sacks on both sides of the throat that collect poisons and bacteria from the body. Sometimes the contaminants they collect solidify and become hard. These are called tonsilloliths or tonsil stones. The treatment for tonsil stones will vary depending on how severe they become.
If you have ever been sick and notices a yellowish glob on one side or the other of your throat, they you may have already experienced these stones. They are known by a number of different names including oatmeal balls and stink balls. This is due to the smell they give off. It is a foul odor that can give you halitosis. The odor continues in your mouth until the tonsilloliths are removed.
There are times that you will simply cough these out. Do not be alarmed though as this is a normal occurrence. Your health is not in danger unless they continue to grow without being dislodged. This can cause the tonsils to become sore. Although tonsil surgery is a common occurrence in children, many doctors refrain from removing them in adults because the surgery is much more difficult on them.
Surgery should be a last resort for adults with tonsilloliths. There are other ways to remove the stones without pain and a large doctor bill. Turkey basters are very effective at flushing them out. Once they are flushed from their pockets they can be disposed of. The force that the baster provides is just enough to dislodge them for removal. There is nothing that actually keeps them in place so there is no pain associated with this process.
Gargling with salt water will help ease discomfort in your tonsils from multiple stones. This too can leave your breath foul smelling and is not very effective in eliminating them. Other mouth washes and gargles may be used as long as there is no irritation in the tonsils.
A cotton swab or toothpick is very effective at removing small tonsilloliths. It is a painless process that only requires a mirror and either a cotton swab or a toothpick. They are usually very easy to see so you should be able to simply open the mouth to see them. Use the implement to move it out of place and either spit it out or remove it with the implement.
The size of the stones will greatly depend on what type of treatment is necessary. Small ones do not require any treatment while large ones that have caused the tonsils to increase in size should be dealt with by your doctor. These are the ones that may require surgery.
If you have ever noticed these yellow oatmeal balls in the back of your throat, do not panic. They are the result of a normal process that many people go through. Remember there is an effective treatment for tonsil stones. It does not always require surgery and can be simple to remedy.
Treatment For Tonsil Stones Options That Are Helpful