The medical term for a tonsil stone is tonsillolith. It is characterized an off-white or yellow stone or rock that develops in the crevices of the tonsils. In time, these masses break loose and are either swallowed or coughed up. People who have these stones attached to their tonsils might have a bothersome feeling of having something stuck in their throats. They can cause dry mouth and halitosis in people who suffer from these stone formations.
If you are able to get a hold of a tonsillolith, and you squeeze it, you will notice a terrible odor that is reminiscent of sulfur or vomit. The reason behind this smell is that the rocks are made of bacteria that generate sulfur. These bacteria are usually located near the tonsils and are a main cause of halitosis. Tonsilloliths can be extremely tiny or can grow into pea-sized rocks. However, some of them can get even bigger, and can cause a significant amount of pain in some sufferers.
So, what are tonsil stones and what causes them to develop? Typically, tonsillolihs are composed of food debris, dead skin or white blood cells, spit, and bacteria that generates sulfur. These materials become stuck in the crevices of the tonsils. As time goes by, these stones grow bigger until they ultimately detach and are eliminated. Certain sufferers have been known to try to scrape them out with a damp cotton swab, but this will typically trigger the gag reflex, and could cause additional pain if great care is not exercised.
Adults suffer from tonsilloliths more often than do kids, but they tend to become a nuisance in the latter part of teenage years. These stones will usually only develop in people whose tonsils have not been removed, however you should not have yours taken out simply to avoid tonsilloliths. Approximately 25% of adults who have not had their tonsils removed will get a tonsillolith at some point in their lives. Some signs of a tonsillolith include dry mouth accompanied by a metallic flavor, sore throat, ongoing attempts to remove whatever is in the throat, pain or itching in the ears, halitosis, and, obviously, coughing up the stones.
Even if you diligently practice excellent dental health routines on a regular basis, you might still develop tonsilloliths and the resulting symptoms. Toothpaste, mouth rinse, and mints can cover up halitosis for a short time, however these products are not designed to get rid of any stones or to prevent them from coming back. If you want to get rid of tonsilloliths permanently, you need to develop a course of treatment. You have to find the best remedy out there and put it to immediate use.
The biggest issue is that sufferers typically procrastinate when it comes to learning what they have to know in order to resolve their problems. Nothing ever gets done, and the sufferer simply continues to live with the condition. For people who are living with tonsil stones right now and are sick and tired of having them, take action right away instead of putting it off to deal with at a later time. A cure to tonsilloliths exists right now, and you should give it a shot.