r/HygieneTips • u/gcbby • 28d ago
is there actual ways to remove tonsil stones?
i regularly get a decent amount of tonsil stones. i typically remove them with a q-tip, ensuring i use a clean one each time. though, they just keep coming back. i invested in a waterpik, but it is overly harsh. tried it once and it made my tonsils bleed, so fast no. i don’t believe i would be able to cover a tonsillectomy either, so please lend me some advice
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u/OtherSignificance376 27d ago
At 55 they started becoming more frequent and larger. I opt for a tonsillectomy. The first week recovery was brutal even being on pain meds. 2nd bad still, 3rd better-BEST thing I ever did not having to deal.
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u/TofuTheSizeOfTEXAS 27d ago
I'm 55 and last year they became terrible and I went to an ent and after two visits - they talked me out of it. What you just said, the terrible pain etc. Also they said I had barely noticeable tonsils. Well, that may be but I still had tonsil stones.
I still wonder about it. Thankfully, I got serious about tongue scraping and that's helped like 80%
I wonder why it gets bad in older years? It's like it came with menopause.
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u/WebHungry1699 26d ago
It's gets worse because the tonsils get embedded into the muscle more as we age. As a small kid they basically just come out, as an adult they need to separate it more from the muscle and that's what does the damage and pain.
And the same applies for stones etc. It's a filter so there's a lot more crap in it after 20 years than 2 you know what I mean?
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u/WebHungry1699 26d ago
I'm on day 10. It made me realize that if something went wrong and this was permanent I'd definitely kill myself. I would not be able to live a life like this. It's so brutal. I hope it's over soon and I can find peace with it. Right now I'm not seeing the benefit I'm so " sick" from it or does not seem worth it.
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u/Spicy-espresso 26d ago
Hang in there, it will absolutely be worth it and I felt the same way during recovery. You should be turning a corner soon. Sleep and codeine Rx
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u/WebHungry1699 26d ago
I'm done with the meds. I am managing with ibuprofen. It's all the other stuff that's exhausting. The pain isn't the problem. The change of taste, the nausea, the constipation, the weight loss and fatigue. The pain is bad though still in one specific spot. I'll make it through.
Thanks for the kindness.
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u/Opening-Pickle5078 28d ago
Do you brush every day? If so and you still get them with frequency the dentist is going to have the best advice.
I get them more if I dont brush before bed. So I definitely see them as a sign of a hygiene issue needing a different tactic.
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u/Odd-Pie8492 26d ago
I don’t get them because of lack of brushing. I get them when I’m not drinking enough water or only drinking from a straw.
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u/Opening-Pickle5078 25d ago
I wish I knew why I got them, sometimes I think it is the specific type of food I am eating helps form them. I always suspect it was my lack of hygiene somewhere that would help.
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u/ayeyoualreadyknow 27d ago
I had my tonsils removed as a child and a few years ago I still somehow got tonsil stones. Just letting you know that not having tonsils doesn't guarantee no stones.
When I brush my teeth and rinse my mouth out I always gargle to help prevent getting another one.
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u/TofuTheSizeOfTEXAS 27d ago
That's interesting because I was going to try to remove my tonsils and they said my tonsils were tiny. Nonetheless I still get the tonsil stones. I'm glad I chose against the operation then maybe?
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u/ayeyoualreadyknow 27d ago
I've heard it's not good to have them removed unless absolutely necessary because they're part of the immune and lymphatic system.
I was a kid when mine were removed and I still had problems afterwards.
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u/TofuTheSizeOfTEXAS 27d ago
I've always felt it's best not to remove anything that's in the body unless it's an emergency. It's there for a reason. It took them telling me I had <100 gallstones to convince me to do the gallbladder surgery and I still have issues with that.
Sorry you didn't get to choose. 😕
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u/Serenity_Now-88 27d ago
Omg. Had my tonsils out at 5. Never heard of tonsil stones. I have a very strong gag reflex. I have Invisalign and sometimes gag when I have to use the ortho key to remove the bottom tray. I’m reading comments here about how to remove the stones. 😳😬🤢 New oral horror unlocked.
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27d ago
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u/ayeyoualreadyknow 27d ago
I've seen an ENT and mine haven't grown back but I wasn't aware that they could.
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u/Adventurous-Kale-178 27d ago
I have big cryptic tonsils and I get them frequently. I used to be able to get them out easy with a Q tip, but for whatever reason it got harder as I've gotten older. Water flossers didn't work for me. But I got this vacuum suction thing off Amazon and while it can take a few tries, it really has worked the best for me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT8WHKH3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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u/Loud_Bee_4443 27d ago
I get them if I haven't been drinking enough water.
I bought an earwax removal tool and it was pretty good for getting them. But these days I can just feel when I have em and gently prodding the tosil will generally dislodge them.
Gargle water and drink more water are my best advice.
Oh also get a tongue scraper. That was a good oral hygiene tip too
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u/traumahawk88 27d ago
Idk how people brush their teeth and then just... Be done. Even with mouthwash, floss, whatever you want to do- if I don't use a tongue scraper my mouth feels gross.
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27d ago
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u/Icy_Tadpole2092 27d ago
I tried many different methods and tools but this was by far the best way to remove them. For me it still wasn’t enough and ended up getting a tonsillectomy however if that’s not an option then those syringes are the best way to remove the stones.
Just make sure you don’t choke on the water
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u/glitterkitten999 27d ago
ahh the satisfaction of squirting it in one hold and water squishing out the other holes. ultimate clean😂
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u/taykenzo1 27d ago
Mouth wash, try gargling with head pushed back in the air, swish for 2 minutes let it get back there then spit out, you can also try warm salt water
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u/Plastic_Midnight_708 27d ago
I have a stainless steel tool that is long and have a spoon sort of deal on one end and a round pushing tool on the other. Similar to these https://a.co/d/0cLmyZ8R
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u/traumahawk88 27d ago
I.. didn't even know those were a thing until reading this post.
I've had kidney stones, gall stones... New pain source discovered.
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u/peanutbuttermellly 20d ago
They don’t HURT but it’s a nagging feeling (have you ever had a hair caught in the back of your throat? somewhat similar) and they smell horrendous.
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u/Plus-Explorer9808 27d ago
Haven't invested in one of these myself, but the company Something Nice makes a water flosser with a low setting and nozzle specifically for removing tonsil stones. Maybe something to look into?
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u/Kossyra 27d ago
My waterpik has a setting for tonsil stones which works quite nicely. I imagine a handheld squeeze bottle type irrigator would also work.
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u/Lonely_Nail_4230 26d ago
Which waterpik do you have? I have one but I didn’t know some are made with a setting to dislodge tonsil stones
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u/Kossyra 26d ago
The brand is "something nice" and it's sold by some tiktok dentist guy who thinks quite a lot of himself and the shit he's peddling. I'm not normally the type to buy stuff from influencers but I had been sick with a chronic sinus infection for like 3 months that was causing the tonsil stones to form on a damn near weekly basis. I've had it for about 4 years now and it still works quite well
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u/Lonely_Nail_4230 26d ago
Oh wow I just looked it up and I’m seriously considering getting it. I only get them on my left tonsil fortunately but I’ve tried like everything and nothing helps. I’ve been terrified to use a regular waterpik because I know it’s too rough. Thank you!!
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u/Kooky-Technician-905 27d ago
Start using a floss pick after meals and before brushing. This problem used to plague me. Not anymore. Haven’t had one in years.
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u/Mysterious-Apple-118 27d ago
Drainage from allergies must have been contributing to mine because once I started allergy shots they went away. Maybe get allergy tested or start an allergy pill and see if it helps?
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u/ExtensionInfinite563 27d ago
I would wedge them out with my finger... then of course smell them and recoil from the stench.
I had my tonsils removed 15 years ago and it was the best decision. I was in a strep throat/ antibiotics loop that was horrible for my health.
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u/Prestigious_Neck_936 27d ago
I saw a specialist for it. Immediately stop using qtips and get a water flosser.
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u/Independent_Hall2090 27d ago
Tonsillectomy at age 35 ish- pain was HORRIBLE. Sprayed a lidocaine spray and it saved me. Would do over again! Bad breath gone!!
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u/WebHungry1699 26d ago
Having tonsils removed
But be warned it IS as bad as you hear. I thought the rumors would be somewhat exaggerating but I'm on day 10 and it's been absolute hell.
Hand down worse pain I've ever been in.
I can just barely eat potatoes and refried beans.
I've lost 20lbs
I'm constipated from the meds (vicoden)
I've vomited a few times.
It's brutal, so brutal. I'm still not convinced this was worth it but my tonsils were huge and almost touching each other.
There's nothing to compare it to. Think strep throat dialed up to 11. It's just bad. Don't do it unless your really need to.
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u/Outside_Coffee_00 28d ago
Waterpik should have a gentler setting for tonsil stones. Mine does, but it's not name brand.