Tonsil stones are large uncomfortable growths in the throat that can cause serious pain and discomfort.  If you’re unfortunate enough to have tonsil stones littering the back of your throat, you’ll know just how difficult it can be to get rid of them.  

To help you figure out your options and avoid hurting yourself, we’ve compiled a quick guide on how to deal with these pesky growths.  Naturally, we’ll also include some resources pertaining to doctors, dentists, oral surgeons, and general physicians to make things a bit easier.

Dealing with Tonsil Stones

Coughing

Starting with the lightest means of removal, coughing can cause spasms and air to travel through the throat.  In mild cases, this is more than enough to dislodge a tonsil stone rather forcefully.  

However, if you happen to have a particularly sore throat, it may be better to try a different method as coughing can be quite painful when your tonsils are inflamed. 

Manual Extraction

If coughing is too painful or generally unsuccessful in removing your tonsil stone, the next method to try would be manual extraction.  This involves taking your finger or some cotton buds and gently coaxing the tonsil stone out of your tonsillar crypt.

For larger tonsil stones, this method is relatively effective but it comes with the issue of possibly triggering your gag reflex.  Those with particularly sensitive gag reflexes may find it difficult to stand the feeling of poking around the back of their throat with cotton buds.

Mouth Rinsing

Instead of removing the entire tonsil stone in one go, it is sometimes better to whittle it down slowly using a saltwater rinse.   Removing tonsils with a mouth rinse simply requires a quick gargle with a solution of your choice once or twice a day for several weeks.

This method is considerably gentler than manual removal or coughing and it comes with the added benefit of doubling as a treatment for sore throats or infections.  The only issue is that you may have to rinse your mouth for a few weeks before you see results.

Dental Removal

If home remedies just don’t seem to do the trick you can always consult your local dentist for a dental cleaning and tonsil stone removal.  Unlike tooth removal, having tonsil stones taken out by a dentist is a relatively painless procedure.  

Most extractions involve using either an air syringe or a water syringe to force the stones out and flush your tonsillar crypts of debris using fluids.  Due to the effectiveness of both air and water syringes hardly any stones are left after a dental extraction.

There is, however, the likelihood of recurring tonsil stones as your tonsils themselves can still be filled by debris, mucus, and bacteria.  The only real issue with dental extractions is the fees associated with them.

To save a considerable amount of money, most folks will pick up a comprehensive dental insurance policy or health insurance policy with the help of a qualified insurance agent.

Now that you’re armed with this knowledge and various related resources, we hope you’ll find it easier to address tonsil stones and rid yourself of them accordingly.