Tonsil stones are more of a common problem than many people realize, yet they are still not talked about much despite their widespread prevalence. Because of this lack of knowledge and awareness, many people do not even know that they are suffering from tonsilloliths or even what this condition is.

How are they formed?

In its simplest definition, they are small white or yellowish colored stones that form in the pockets or crypts of a person’s tonsils . They form as small food particles,mucus and bacteria combine and calcify. They become visible as white spots on the tonsils and are often dismissed as pieces of leftover food.

Although they are not necessarily a major health concern, they can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing for those that suffer from them. Determining the source of the problem can sometimes be difficult as tonsilloliths can remain hidden and not many doctors are aware of this condition.

Most of the smaller stones are so small, that the folds and crevices of the tonsils easily hide them. So much so, that the only way to see them is with specialized medical imaging devices. The bigger stones, however, are usually visible just by looking at the back of your throat in a mirror. The difference between big and small tonsilloliths doesn’t end there, though. The bigger stones also give off other symptoms that the smaller stones do not.

What are the symptoms?

If you experience any of the following symptoms it may be a good idea to have it checked out.

• Metallic taste in the mouth.
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Sore throat
• Very bad breath

The bigger tonsil stones will usually give off a foul smell, resulting in very bad breath. Research has shown that as many as 75% of people who have tonsil stones will also suffer from bad breath as a result.

Adults are at higher risk of developing tonsiliths than children. Anyone with their tonsils intact can contract this condition.

How do you treat tonsil stones or tonsiliths?

While there are a variety of treatment types available, only a few can claim to eliminate tonsil stones permanently.

Oxygen has shown to be very effective in the elimination of these stones. It is a common known fact that bacteria thrives in the absence of oxygen.Increasing the levels of oxygen in the mouth and tongue effectively kills bacteria, and in doing so assists in eliminating tonsil stones permanently.

If you can control your gag reflex you can also try the following home treatments:

• Push a cotton swab or finger up against the bottom of the stone and push upwards to dislodge it.
• Drinking club soda is thought to assist in dislodging tonsilloliths.
• Curved medicine droppers have been used to suck out smaller stones.

Although this will help to remove the stones,using the processes above, will not get rid of them permanently.

A study of sufferers with a form of recurring tonsillitis was used in a unique test, to ascertain if unstable sulfur chemical compounds were included in the subjects’ breath. The presence of these horrible-smelling compounds supplied objective evidence of smelly breath.

The researchers determined that 75% of the people who had abnormally large concentrations of these types of compounds also had tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones. Other researchers have advised that tonsil stones be looked at in cases when the cause of simple chronic halitosis is in question.

Dr. Harold Katz, known as the bad breath guru and founder of the Californa Breath Clinics, has been doing research in the field since 1994. He has made amazing discoveries and with the research findings he has developed a very effective tonsil stones cure.