If you’ve ever experienced a scratchy tickle or tiny bump in the back of your throat that didn’t seem to go away, or maybe a mysterious case of bad breath despite regularly brushing your teeth, you might have had tonsil stones. These tiny, often unnoticed formations can pack a one-two punch of discomfort and embarrassment, yet many people don’t even realize they have them.
Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are actually relatively common. And while they’re not usually harmful, they can cause irritation, pain, and tough-to-battle bad breath. But don’t worry — getting rid of tonsil stones is possible, and with the right tools and habits, you can keep them from coming back, too. So, let’s briefly discuss what tonsil stones are, what causes them, and most importantly, how to get rid of them for good.
What Are Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones form when debris, such as food particles, saliva, dead cells, and bacteria, get trapped in the small crevices (called crypts) of your tonsils. Over time, minerals like calcium combine with this debris, which then hardens into small, stone-like formations.
