What are tonsil stones?

Tonsils themselves look like small heads of broccoli, with many tiny crevices leading into the body of the tonsil. Tonsil stones are typically found on the surfaces of your tonsils on either side at the back of your throat. Tonsil stones occur when calcium, bits of food, bacteria and dead cells collect in these crevices and harden over time, becoming stone-like. They can be as small as a grain of rice or as large as a pea. Small tonsil stones usually don’t cause any problems, but larger stones may lead to symptoms.

Now you understand what they are, but how do you know if you have tonsil stones? When you look inside your mouth, you may notice small, white or yellow pebbles on the surface of your tonsils. However, sometimes tonsil stones form deep inside the tissue and are not always visible. Symptoms of tonsil stones include:

• A bad taste in your mouth/bad breath

• Problems swallowing or the feeling of something stuck in your throat

• A continuous sore throat or a hoarse voice

• Earache

If you have larger tonsils, a history of tonsillitis or have poor oral hygiene, you may be more susceptible to developing tonsil stones.  

Typically, tonsil stones fall out on their own without the need for treatment. If you have no symptoms and the stones are accessible to your dentist, they can often be removed without the need for anaesthetic. You can also remove them at home by trying the following:

• Use a saltwater rinse to gargle

• Cough to try and dislodge the stones

• Use a water pick to flush out the stones 

• Use a cotton bud to gently dislodge the tonsil stones

Practising good daily oral hygiene and using warm salt water rinses when needed should help prevent the accumulation of tonsil stones and minimise any symptoms. If there’s an infection present, you may need antibiotics to clear it up.

If tonsil stones are a recurring problem accompanied by frequent sore throats, swelling, infection or difficulty swallowing or breathing, your doctor may recommend removing your tonsils, a procedure commonly known as tonsillectomy. Always consult your dentist or doctor if you're concerned about your oral health.

They’re not always problematic, but you may still be wondering how to prevent tonsil stones in the future. You can’t always prevent tonsil stones; however, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of developing them:

• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss between your teeth once a day to dislodge any bacteria or food particles from between your teeth. 

• Don’t forget to brush or scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper. The back of your tongue can harbour a lot of bacteria and needs to be cleaned too. 

• Avoid smoking, vaping or using other tobacco products. 

• Gargle with salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash to freshen your mouth when required. 

• Drink lots of water or chew sugar-free gum throughout the day to encourage saliva production and flush bacteria from your mouth.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about how to get rid of tonsil stones: