Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard, sometimes painful bits of bacteria and debris that get stuck in nooks on your tonsils.
The team from the BBC TV series 'Trust me I’m a doctor' spoke to dentists about how to spot and avoid bad breath. Watch the video below for their tips: All content within this column is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this site. The BBC is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.
.
Take the Dental Health Quiz to test your IQ of oral hygiene, cavities, and common tongue and gum diseases. This quiz covers healthy mouths and teeth from brushing to flossing and everything in between check-ups!
Introducing CURA4U Sleep Program! Comprehensive screening, testing, diagnosis and treatment from the comfort of your home! Try our FREE online test to know your risk! Launching cutting edge speech based Dementia and Depression Screening powered by LANGaware. Take the 3 minute FREE test +1-888-360-0001 8:00AM to 6:00PM EST For Physicians How To Order Services For Physicians Login Sign Up 0 Lab Tests 0 Imaging 0 Medical Procedures 0 Rehab Services 0 Home Diagnostics 0 Diagnostic Kit 0 Appointments 0 Packages 0 Sleep Tests 0 Sleep DME 0 Total 0 Empty Cart Checkout Labs & Imaging Find A Doctor All Services Corporate Solutions More Login Sign Up 0 Lab Tests 0 Imaging 0 Medical Procedures 0 Rehab Services 0 Home Diagnostics 0 Diagnostic Kit 0 Appointments 0 Packages 0 Total 0 Empty Cart Checkout Conditions Halitosis (Bad Breath) Overview Causes Types Signs and Symptoms Risk Factors and Epidemiology Diagnosis Differential Diagnosis Treatment Medications Prognosis Prevention Blogs Syed Hassan, MD Book Appointment Yanelquis Torres, MD Adnan Sohail, MD Ayesha Aslam Mughal, MD Fabiola Baptiste, NP Raga Mohamed Ali Osman
Tonsil stones and halitosis can have a significant impact on oral health and overall well-being. Understanding the causes and symptoms of tonsil stones and bad breath is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Natural remedies, medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and regular dental check-ups can all play a role in preventing and managing tonsil stones and halitosis. Seeking treatment and support is important in alleviating the physical and emotional impact of these conditions.
Other symptoms of tonsil stones may include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, and a persistent cough. Some people may also experience a sensation of something stuck in the back of their throat.
Tonsil stones form when the food particles, bacteria and mucus gets trapped in the pockets of the tonsils. When you don’t maintain healthy oral hygiene, the particles and bacteria can get trapped. This trapped debris is the hub of bacteria to infest. This can lead to infections and cause symptoms such as soreness, swelling, and even bad breath.
Disclaimer- The last three remedies might not be safe for several patients. It is best to consult with the doctor first before undertaking the last three remedies.
It is not easy for people to realize whether they have tonsils or not. They are not visible easily and can have a size of a rice grain or a grape. They do not generally cause considerable health complications. But sometimes, they grow even more extensive, which swells up the tonsils and may even have an unpleasant smell.
Medications can lead to bad breath for two reasons. In some cases, the way your body breaks down the medicine leads to the production of odorous chemicals. In other cases, medications contribute to dry mouth, which can make bad breath more likely.
Surgery for tonsil stones is often controversial. Dental care services suggest the surgery only when the case is severe, chronic, and other methods have failed.
Flossing removes food particles and bacteria that get caught between your teeth to cause bad breath. Good oral hygiene, including flossing, is one of the easiest ways to treat bad breath.
To get a better experience, go to one of these sites and get the latest version of your preferred browser:
Luckily Premier Family Dental has a course of action to take to actually prevent tonsil stones from showing up in the first place. We recommend that every morning and night you use mouthwash. Also try to avoid foods like popcorn, sesame seeds, and spinach. These have a high chance of leaving food particles stuck in your tonsils. Thus eventually forming tonsil stones.
There are also small monitors available which can detect certain gases, but the limitation here is that it only includes some gases and not others. Finally ‘gas chromatography’ – a technique to separate complex mixtures of gases – can measure the quantity of sulphur in the air, but involves specialised equipment that you won’t find in many doctors’ offices.
If your bad breath is a short-term problem, it only requires a short-term solution! But even long-term halitosis sufferers can often find some measure of relief in these quick fixes, such as:
About UsOur TeamServicesLaser DentistryPreventative DentistryDental CleaningsGum Disease TreatmentDesensitizing TreatmentSilver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)SealantsNight Guards (Bruxism)Sports GuardsGeneral DentistryWhite Composite FillingsWisdom Teeth ExtractionsSame Day CEREC CrownsDental BridgesDental ImplantsSirolLaser – Soft Tissue Laser TherapyCosmetic DentistrySame Day CEREC CrownsDental BridgesDental ImplantsDenturesPorcelain VeneersDental BondingTeeth WhiteningBotoxICON – Resin InfiltrationOrthodonticsInvisalign BracesPost Op InstructionsCrownsFillingsBridgesRoot CanalOral SurgeryIcon Resin InfiltrationQuickSleeper – Painless AnesthesiaNew PatientsGalleryResourcesOral Health NewsContact