Recognize the causes of tonsil stones and how to prevent them

If you see white spots on the left or right side of the esophagus, they could be tonsil stones. The cause of tonsil stones can come from food debris, dirt, and other materials that harden with calcium.

Tonsil stones are usually not a health hazard. However, you may feel uncomfortable because there is a lump in the side of your throat. So, what exactly triggers the formation of tonsil stones?

The cause of the formation of tonsil stones

The tonsils or tonsils are a pair of soft tissues found on the left and right side of the back of the throat (esophagus). This tissue serves to trap bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the throat.

Each of the tonsil tissues is covered by a layer of pink mucosal cells like the inside of your mouth. Its surface consists of many gaps and grooves called crypta.

The cause of the appearance of tonsil stones can come from bacteria, food scraps, dirt, dead cells, and similar materials trapped in crypt. All this dirt then collects and multiplies.

The dirt that builds up over time solidifies and hardens in a process called calcification. Finally, tonsil stones with a hard texture are formed. Tonsil stones can become trapped in the crypt and multiply.

Tonsil stones are usually white or yellowish in color. They vary in size, from a few millimeters to the size of a pea. There are only a few cases where tonsil stones have grown beyond this size.

Tonsil stones and oral hygiene

Many people suspect that oral hygiene is the main cause of the formation of tonsil stones. In fact, this is not the case. You can still have tonsil stones even if you are diligent about maintaining oral hygiene.

The factor that increases the risk of tonsil stones is the structure of the tonsils themselves. Tonsil stones can form more easily if you have tonsils with lots of crypt.

This condition makes the tonsils have more deep grooves and crevices. Dirt is also easier to get trapped and accumulate, so you will have more frequent problems with tonsil stones.

How to prevent tonsil stones from forming

The cause of the formation of tonsil stones comes from the condition and structure of the tonsils themselves. There is no natural way that can completely prevent tonsil stones from forming.

However, you can reduce the risk by maintaining oral and dental hygiene. Routinely brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use dental floss to clean food debris that is still stuck in the teeth gaps.

Then, clean all parts of your mouth with mouthwash. Prioritize gargling at the back of your throat, where tonsil stones form.

Tonsil stones are more common in people with tonsillitis. If you experience this condition or often have problems with tonsil stones, surgical removal of the tonsils may be a solution.

Unless the tonsil stones hinder the function of breathing and swallowing, surgery is a great way to simply treat the cause of the tonsil stones. Most tonsil stones may even go away on their own.

So, make sure you have consulted your doctor before choosing to undergo tonsillectomy. Your doctor will usually recommend this option when other methods cannot treat your tonsil stone problem.