Tonsil Stones 101 – What Causes Tonsil Stones?

If you have ever had tonsil stones, you know they are small, rock-like objects that appear at the back your throat, or between your wisdom teeth and tonsils. These objects can be quite uncomfortable if they get very large. But regardless of size, they taste and smell horribly. What causes them?

Tonsil stones form in pockets in the tonsils known as crypts. Because of their hollow shape, these pockets wind up getting filled with all kinds of germs and floating objects in the mouth. For example, the remnants of food bits that don’t get melted by saliva will end up in these pockets, so will a constant overflow of mucous or “post nasal drip” and oral bacteria. These are bound together by white blood cells, resulting in the white-to-yellow rock-hard calcification. The more materials deposited, the bigger the stones get until they burst open or get dislodged. Infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis) can cause more frequent stone formation since the tonsil crypts grow larger. The formation of stones protect the body from infection since they isolate rotting waste particles in the mouth, but sometimes they can cause infection if left in the tonsils for too long.

Tonsil stones are not as harmful as they appear. When you get stones, remember it is a warning that your mouth and upper respiratory system are unclean. Rinse your mouth often with a solution of water and salt. This will prevent bacteria from growing and also help throw out food residue. Astringent mouthwash serves the same purpose, while also alleviating bad breath.

Tonsil Stones 101 – What Causes Tonsil Stones? by Winston Marquis