Tonsil Stones! Sick! - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

Dreamer555 · 11-22-2004, 04:03 AM

Has anyone ever heard of tonsil stones? They are little white colored particles that come up into your mouth from the tonsil crevices. How does one get rid of them???

ross1sb · 11-22-2004, 10:08 AM

Yes! I have had them for a couple years now and am getting more frequent and worse sore throats. I actually push on my tonsil with my finger and gross stuff (Doctor says it's decaying food!!!) comes out. He said it's fine to do that and follow with a good mouthwash. The only other alternative is surgery. So that's actually what I'm doing today - researching tonsilectomies (sp?). I also have frequent bad breath and it's not the sexiest thing to my husband. But it sounds like surgery is quite an extreme option. I'm not sure how long to wait before I go for it.

grantwomack · 11-22-2004, 03:01 PM

I've had these for around 2 years now, after getting them occasionally when I was quite young as well. I also get very frequent bad breath and have continual post-nasal drip that has lasted around 2 years (I think it sparked the tonsil stones). I seem to notice that my breath gets worse when I eat things like choclate, yoghurt and drink coffee or alcohol. The tonsil stones I have to push out of my tonsils about 2-3 times a week, which is always horrible.

I've been to an ENT about getting rid of the PND, as I think that could stop the tonsil stones as well. I was just getting over a cold and he had a look but said he didn't see anything. So, I think that was a waste of time, really. But he mentioned that if I wanted to get rid of the tonsil stones and (potentially) bad breath, I could get my tonsils removed.

Will getting my tonsils removed stop the PND and my bad breath at the same time? I'm considering doing it just to stop getting the tonsil stones because my patience is really wearing thin with them. Is it possible that my PND is being caused by allergies? I've never done any allergy testing but don't think I could give up chocolate and coffee!

Advice would be great. My ENT certainly didn't seem to have much.

Ratatosk · 11-22-2004, 03:25 PM

Look under the adult tonsillectomy section. I had my tonsils removed about 4 years ago Mainly ‘cuz I was really getting tired dealing with tonsil stones. I also suffered from horrible sinus headaches and after a really bad one, I’d notice my tonsils were even more productive. Prior to having my tonsils removed I took ibuprofen with a decongestant several times a day, practically every day. Was the only thing that seemed to work on my headaches or if I felt a nasty headache coming on, would nip it in the bud. I used to purchase my OTC sinus remedy at the wholesale club, by the bulk about every month, now I purchase a regular size package a couple times a year. However, having your tonsils removed is major surgery and the recovery isn’t a picnic. It’s horrible. But I wish I’d done it a lot sooner!

Comfort2 · 12-02-2004, 07:24 PM

I used to call them white puss pockets. but tonsil stones sounds much nicer. and not quiet so nasty, I have been getting them for a while now my self. since I was about 14 and I am 25 now. until that started happening, I got tonsilitis every year and had to miss around 3 weeks of school. since they have started what I call rotting out, my tonsils are much smaller I literally have a huge hole in my tonsils. I usually take a q tip and push out the stones. If I don't, it causes my throat to be sore, because the stones are somewhat hard and your tonsils are tender. I plan to have my tonsils taken out soon rather than waiting for them to completely rot out.