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Our tonsils are composed of nooks and crannies, which can trap bacteria and other minerals into them. Dead cells and mucous can also get trapped in them. These trappings can become concentrated into white formations into the pockets. When this trapped debris hardens, tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are formed.
Small tonsil stones are hardly noticeable; however, some large stones can be identified because of the following symptoms: bad breath, sore throat, white debris, difficulty in swallowing, ear pain, tonsil swelling, etc. Tonsil stones can be prevented or treated by numerous ways; however, natural home remedies are the best.
6 Various Ways To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones
Crunchy Vegetables
Eating and chewing crunchy raw foods like carrots, celery and cucumbers help in removing tonsil stones and sending them down through the digestive system.
These vegetables have tough strands of fiber which acts as mini tooth brushes, which swipes out the stones from the hiding places of the tonsils.
Vinegar Gargle
Odoriferous tonsil stones are made up of calcium, and vinegar helps in dissolving calcium. Thus, vinegar gargle can be used to dissolve the stones. For the vinegar gargle, take a quarter cup of warm water and add one tablespoon of vinegar in it.
Stir the solution and gargle with it once a day. This not only helps in dissolving the tonsil stones, but also prevents the reformation of the stones.
Clean Nasal Passages
Growth of tonsil stones can also be increased as an effect of chronic post nasal drip. Nasal passages should be cleansed; this stops the post nasal drip and washes away the tonsil stones.
It also prevents the regrowth of the tonsil stones. A saline solution can be used for daily nasal irrigation. If you do not want to use nasal irrigation, you can use a nasal spray to clean away the stones. This spray should also be used only once a day.
Eat Probiotic Yogurt
Tonsil stones smell so bad because they are composed of sulfur producing bacteria. Probiotic yogurt, on the other hand, contains good bacteria. Thus, when it is consumed, good bacteria crowd out bad odor bacteria.
Furthermore, probiotic yogurt also helps in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. However, sugar-free probiotic bacteria should be consumed as sugar enhances the growth of tonsil stones.
Home Removal
For this, you need bobby pins or q-tips, mirror, torch, water, and paper towels. Both bobby pins or Q-tips can be used for removal of tonsil stones as the technique remains the same, with the only difference that with bobby pins you use hooking motion, while with Q-tips scraping motion is used.
First, open your mouth and illuminate your mouth in front of the mirror, so that you can see the tonsil stones. Try to push your tonsils forward by opening your mouth wide and tightening your muscles at the back of the throat. Hold up your breath as you do while gargling. Gently scoop out your tonsil stones with the help of your Bobby pin/Q-tip. Minor bleeding is normal, but be gentle to minimize bleeding.
Gargling
Tonsil stones are usually formed after leftover food gets stuck in tonsil craters, so it is a good practice to use a mouthwash for gargling after eating. This helps in dislodging tiny bits of food left over and also improves your oral health. Gargling can also be done using a warm water and salt. Oxygenating mouthwash can also be used for this purpose as oxygen prevents the bacterial growth and thus prevents tonsil stones. However, an oxygenating water is very strong and hence should only be used at a maximum of two times a week.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.