Tonsil stones (or tonsillolith) are one of the many factors that cause halitosis. They are generally made from calcium accumulation, which develops and grows as time passes, within the crypts of the tonsils. Since bad breath and tonsil stones are strongly associated with each other, people try to find remedies which will get rid of the stones along with the halitosis.

How Are They Formed:

Although many people suffer from these tonsil stones over time, the actual cause and formation of the stones is not known. The tonsils play a vital role in capturing bacteria so it won't enter the body, but with this, the tonsils also catch food, dead cells, and other particles. Here are some ways that are believed to be the reason tonsil stones:

  • The accumulation of food and particles inside the pits the tonsils.
  • Bacterial buildup and saliva.
  • Calcium buildup (which is frequently brought on by the other contributing factors which are not clear.
  • Scientists discovered that people who have post nasal drip can also develop tonsil stones.

So, although there is no one fixed cause or factor which causes them to form, there are certain thoughts which have been formulated regarding how the stones develop.

Some Side Effects of Tonsil Stones:

There are many noticable side effects and symptoms which you will be aware when you have tonsil stones. Due to the fact that the stones vary in size and severity, the side effects each person is going to experience will not be precisely the same. Here are some of the most common side effects connected with tonsil stones:

  • Bad breath(a major concern in terms of tonsil stones).
  • Pain when swallowing, or difficulty when swallowing (especially larger pieces of foods, or solids).
  • A bad taste in the mouth.
  • Discoloration on the tonsils.
  • Extreme coughing fits(whether or not you are sick).
  • Swollen tonsils.
  • Earache.

Depending on the severity of the stones, the frequency of which you get them, and how large they are, each of these symptoms may be found, and the severity of the symptoms is going to vary for each person who suffers from the tonsil stones.

How Do You Know If You Have Tonsil Stones:

Although there is no sure fire way unless you go to a professional, there are certain signals that point to tonsil stones. As listed above, any one of the symptoms could suggest tonsil stones or you can make use of a mirror to see if your tonsil have a growth on them. If you are unable to tell by a self examination, and your throat is really painful, it's best to see a medical doctor who will make the determination if x-rays are needed and even if your tonsils ought to be taken out.

Some Possible Answers For Tonsil Stones:

There are a few different ways to go about removing the tonsil stones by yourself. Some solutions you might consider are:

  • Sometimes the stones are dislodged by coughing.
  • An oral irrigator.
  • Using different mouthwashes and rinses may do just fine if the stones are not too large, or too deep into the tonsils to be removed.
  • In extreme cases where the stones are causing problems, it might be necessary to have a tonsillectomy.

At some point tonsil stones will go away. However, if they keep coming back often, this is a more serious issue as you will be a victim of chronic bad breath or worse.

Author's Bio: 

Archille W Hebert has written many articles on the subject of bad breath. If tonsil stones are causing you major problem, visit End Tonsil Stones and discover ways to be free of tonsil stones.