The whitish or yellowish substance you see lodged at the back of your throat could be no other than tonsil stones. These are buildup of mucus, bacteria, food debris and other particles that get caught in the pockets of our tonsils. They may not be dangerous at all however they can be annoying. Breaking up a tonsil stone gives off a foul smell due to the sulfur compounds, microbes and post nasal drip. These stones can be washed out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Yes, as simple as drinking a lot of water could rinse out the food particles that may get caught at the back of your throat. Gulping down your fluids will wash down the substances that can cause stones to form. However ensure you drink enough water and not the sugary beverages that could still leave dregs and become source of the stones. And in cases that you may already have it, gargle with salt water. The salt is wedged in the tonsil crypts providing curative properties to the tissues around the salt thus eliminating tonsil stones, as well.
But how do you know when you have tonsillolith? This is another term for the stones that grow around the tonsil area. You get bad breath when your tonsils are infected. The foul breath is the result of combined sulfur composition formed by the anaerobic microbes under the tongue and the food particles. Bad breath or halitosis may not be noticeable at first however as it develops, the strength of the smell becomes conspicuous.
The white fragments that normally appear at the throat’s rear are the next symptom of tonsil stones. These are not visible and can be detected only with MRI or CT scans. This white debris is the accumulation of food particles, other substances and bacteria and stick to the tonsil folds. When your throat gets irritated, that may be another sign for the disorder. To distinguish tonsil stone from tonsillitis when inflammation occurs, your throat would be sore where the stone is wedged.
When you find it difficult to swallow even liquids then it may be that you have tonsilloliths. The pain would vary on the area of the location of the stones. With advanced stages, ear aches may occur. Thus when you experience the above symptoms it is best to get the next appointment with your dentist for appropriate treatment. Or you may start with dislodging the stone by using a cotton swab. However if this is not effective, seek medical assistance.
Tags: tonsil stones, tonsillolith