I have been plagued by tonsil stones for over 30 years. As a child I often had strep throat and had to take many rounds of antibiotics. I am not sure if these illness lead to the many crevices I currently have in my throat, but the fact of the matter is that they are there. The crevices, or pockets, are an ideal environment for the build up of anaerobic bacteria and/or tonsil stones. I don't often get sore throats now but the tonsil stone build up causes smelly breath and is annoying because at times the clumps become quite large. Do you think this condition warrants a tonsilectomy? I have tried water picks and anything else I can find to dislodge these annoyances. Would you go to the extreme of having your tonsils removed or just live with the stones?
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All the best on your upcoming surgery. I'm sure all will go well and we'll be waiting your post surgery report.
October 27, 2008 - 7:39pmThis Comment
I am so happy I found this community and I sincerely thank those who took the time to answer. I saw my ENT and will have a tonsilectomy on November 12.
In reviewing this site I found the same questions posed on 7/14/08 by dragonfly and answered by Marie-Claire, nan68, and alysiak. If you would like to read more, please search under tonsil stones and you should find the discussion.
Once again,
October 27, 2008 - 8:03amThank you and wish me luck on November 12, 2008
This Comment
Thank you for sharing your story, Tone.
The bad breath or halitosis, that you speak about is called tonsilloliths which can be quite annoying as well as cause bad breath. The tonsilloliths are actually a build up of sulfur compounds and a build up of post nasal drip, trapped food particles, oral bacteria, and dead white blood cells. They are harmless although, they can be somewhat of an annoyance.
Ehow.com provides some ways that you may be able to reduce the build up the mucus cells and that information can be found here on their website http://www.ehow.com/how_2145494_cure-tonsil-stones.html?ref=fuel&utm_sou....
Research indicates that there is nothing that will cure tonsilloliths rather than the removal of the tonsils or a tonsilectomy. Medicinenet.com provides some information regarding the process here http://www.medicinenet.com/tonsillectomy/article.htm.
I hope this helps. I know that this can certainly be annoying and please keep us updated.
October 19, 2008 - 4:57amThis Comment
Yes I think removal of the problem is best. I think that Tone should go to a medical doctor right away if for no other reason picking at the stones may cause harm to Tone's body.
October 18, 2008 - 8:46pmThis Comment