Have you or someone in your family ever had a tonsil stone? Are you curious to know what a tonsil stone even is? Let your dentist in Chapel Hill tell you a little bit about tonsil stones, what they are, why they form, and how you can help yourself should they happen to appear in your mouth.
Do I Have Tonsil Stones?
If you look in the back of your throat where your tonsils are and see tiny white bumps or clusters, those are generally tonsil stones. They love to form deep in the pockets in your throat tissue because they come from bacteria and other debris, which can harden over time, creating the white bumps you see in the back of your throat that can be uncomfortable. Tonsil stones are likely to occur due to common bacterial and viral infections like strep throat and the influenza virus.
Are There Ways to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones are best treated by your Chapel Hill dentist and possibly your primary care physician if you have a bacterial or viral infection. If you’re someone who constantly gets sore throats, painful inflammation, and tonsil stones, it might be time to talk about a tonsillectomy or removal of your tonsils altogether.
If you or someone in your family gets a tonsil stone, there are some things you can do to alleviate any discomfort and maybe even keep them from returning altogether! A short-term solution could be antibiotics, as they’re effective at lowering bacterial counts that play an essential role in developing tonsil stones. But taking antibiotics long-term is not good for you and your body. Give these tips a try:
Are tonsil stones making your life miserable? Is your child struggling with constant sore throats? You can schedule an appointment at our dental office in Chapel Hill to talk with us. We can create a plan to help you get rid of annoying tonsil stones for good. We look forward to hearing from you! Call today.
