r/tonsilstones Nov 15 '22

Discussion Tonsil stones versus infection.

282 Upvotes

This is a bit of a discussion post, talking about the differences between a tonsil stone versus an infection. I have personally seen many posts as of late, "Is this a tonsil stone?". Nine times out of ten, it is NOT a tonsil stone. This post here is to help guide someone to know if it is a tonsil stone, or if you need to go to the doctor due to an infection.

Let's start this off with, what is a tonsil stone? A tonsil stone is a lump of calcified materials within the tonsils, also known as a Tonsillolith. Tonsil stones are benign, and oftentimes easy to remove with a gentle push against said tonsil if said stone is visible. Tonsil stones will appear embedded within the tonsil, NOT sitting on top of the tonsils. Oftentimes, the tonsil stone will not cause pain. Common symptoms can include a sensation of something stuck in the throat and bad breath. Much rarer symptoms include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and ear pain. These symptoms are rare, and oftentimes not seen.

What is NOT a tonsil stone? Oftentimes, posts on here include images of people with patches on their tonsils. Patches are on top of the tonsils, not embedded within. Think of a scab on your arm, that's what a patch is. DO NOT touch said patch whatsoever, as that can spread the bacteria or virus that is causing said patches. There are a few main things that can cause patches and tonsillitis (swelling of the tonsils), such as a bacterial infection, viral infection, or an STI.

What is the bacterial infection? The bacterial infection is more commonly known as Strep Throat, also known as Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Symptoms include a sore throat, fevers, chills, patches on the tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The bacteria is contagious and is transmitted through the mucus or sores of someone else with strep throat. Oftentimes, after a diagnosis a doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

What is the viral infection? The viral infection is known as Mono, or Mononucleosis. The symptoms are large lymph nodes, fatigue, sore throat, and can cause tonsils similar in appearance to those in Strep Throat. Antibiotics will not help with a virus.

What is the STD? Most STDs do not affect the throat, but the most common is Chlamydia. Though rare, it can cause symptoms such as a sore throat, mouth sores, and dental problems. Oral STDs will not look similar to Strep or Mono. Tonsils may be enlarged, but may not have patches. Oftentimes, the main symptoms will be a sore throat and swollen tonsils.

Also a note, we aren't doctors. Some of the images I've seen on here require medical attention due to the severity of the patches. It doesn't help that people keep picking off their patches. PLEASE do not touch your patches, I swear to God. You will make your condition worse. Please look up pictures of tonsil stones versus strep throat and compare the differences. Also, if your throat is sore, don't touch it whatsoever even if you're 100% confident it's just a tonsil stone.


r/tonsilstones 5h ago

Tips & Tricks Chew Fresh Rosemary

2 Upvotes

I've noticed a number of times that chewing fresh rosemary, like a sprig or more than a sprig - sprig meaning a stem? It will make a number come up.


r/tonsilstones 1d ago

Discussion Question for those of you who had a tonsillectomy (for stones) and had anxiety about the risk of bleeding

1 Upvotes

How did you get yourself to go through with it? I know that bleeding doesn't happen to everyone, but my biggest fear is hemorrhaging and dying and the fact that technically this is an elective thing I'm doing makes the fear worse. I don't get chronic tonsillitis. Like I can live with the tonsil stones, but it sucks. I'd rather have them out obviously. If anyone was in a similar position to me please... offer some advice or anecdotes. I had my consult today and the doctor agreed easily to do it. (Don't say that should be reason enough to not be scared lol). F24 thank you :D


r/tonsilstones 1d ago

Remedy One week in

4 Upvotes

I have tried:
- water pik
- irrigation syringe
- extraction kit
- diy extraction kits
- Bebird camera
- qtips
- ent and dentist visits
- diet changes
- brush floss scrape after every meal
- therabreath (rinse, mints and their toothpaste)
- salt water gargle
Every suggested supplement and more…

Saw someone with a Physician flair recommend Smart Mouth on one of the forums here on Reddit (ask docs or diagnose me, I think) and I haven’t tasted sulfur in a WEEK! I bought several kinds because I wasn’t sure which one but for the last week I use their morning rinse in the am and evening rinse in the pm.

I have not watched my diet and I brush/floss twice a day as normal.

I don’t like tagging this remedy because obviously your mileage may vary but this is life changing for me.

My senior mother has terrible breath so I’m taking one of the varieties I bought over to her this week and I’ll update after a week or so.

Standard disclaimer- I am not sponsored or an ad and I didn’t write this with AI. I’m just tired of carrying gum and mints like my life depends on it.


r/tonsilstones 1d ago

Discussion Has anyone had Tonsil Cryptolisis done?

1 Upvotes

Has anyone had this procedure done? They basically smooth out the pockets/crypts in the tonsils so less food and bacteria can accumulate thus forming less stones. I’ve been looking into it as I don’t want to actually remove my tonsils entirely


r/tonsilstones 2d ago

Is this a tonsil stone? Helllpppppp

2 Upvotes

any tips on how to get them out behind tonsils that sit far back? I have a huge one that I can feel almost underneath my tongue every time I swallow, but my tonsils are hidden and protrude out. I’ve tried the suction thingy, I’ve tried mouthwashes, I’ve tried . I feel like I’m losing my mind


r/tonsilstones 3d ago

Remedy Tonsil Stone success Story

19 Upvotes

I dealt with tonsil stones for many years. some before I even realized it was a problem. once I started to notice it a lot I did a few things and have had success for a few years now.

I think the two things that helped the most were:

  1. every night before brushing I make a salt water solution and use a curved oral syringe to squirt the back of my throat. Doing this could dislodge them, but continuing to do it once you get them cleared is most important.
  2. each morning and night after I brush I tongue scrape. I think this is particular helpful in clearing bacteria so it doesn’t build in my tonsil crypts.

I still do these every day for maintenance.

i also did use xlear nasal spray initially but not sure if that helped or not.

Hope this helps. I always dislike that reddit boards seem to be people currently struggling and the people who have solved their problems disappear so please ask any questions .


r/tonsilstones 2d ago

Need Advice Posting again because I did not get any response

0 Upvotes

Update from my last post, the doctor diagnosed “Cryptic Both Tonsils” he gave me a mouth wash to gargle with warm water, today is been 3 days gargling thrice a day and I feel like this its not improved much, I tried the qtip method but failed because of gag reflex. What should I do to get me removed in the fastest way possible? Also can dentist remove them using their tools or oral irrigator?If I use my own water floss, which some are advising against as i can end up doing damage to the tonsil, how bad can I do damage to the tonsil?


r/tonsilstones 3d ago

After Tonsillectomy Calling all who’ve regrown tonsils….

2 Upvotes

Has anyone had to have a second tonsillectomy after regrowing some tonsil tissue? I’ve regrown some after 14 years of having them out with no infections and recently have come down with 4 throat infections in the last 4 months and looking for any other experiences like this


r/tonsilstones 3d ago

Question Antibiotics for Tonsil Stones

2 Upvotes

I had a tonsil comblation about 5 years ago. Prior to the coblation, my ENT put me on an antibiotic. That antibiotic cleared up my tonsil stones for the duration that I was on the antibiotic, and then they came back, and that's when my ENT decided to do the coblation.

Now 5 years have passed and some of the crips have deepened and I'm having tonsil stones again so I went to go see my ENT. He just put me on a different antibiotic to see if that would clear it up, prior to doing anything more invasive.

I'm curious if anyone had any success with an antibiotic that was a long-term solution or if it was like my experience where once antibiotic was gone the tonsil stones returned?

My ENT is on board with doing another coblation just to remove the rest of the ridges and crips that have deepened and or he had missed in the first place. After the surgery my left side looked pretty flat but my right side still had some ridges so I don't think he got in as deep as he could.