Many people brush carefully yet still have heavy breath and a feeling of something stuck in the throat. A cause that is often missed is tonsil stones, small lumps in the crypts of the tonsils.
- Tonsil stones are small white or yellow lumps trapped in the tonsil crypts and can cause bad breath and a feeling of something in the throat.
- They are usually harmless, but a long lasting sore throat, one sided swelling, fever or bleeding needs an ENT check.
- Gargling with saline, keeping teeth and tongue clean and drinking enough water reduce the smell, and stones should not be picked with sharp objects.
- Rule out causes of bad breath in the mouth before thinking of tonsil stones.
Quite a few people brush and rinse regularly but their breath still smells, and sometimes they cough up small white or yellow grains with a very unpleasant odour. These grains are usually tonsil stones, and they are a cause of bad breath that is often overlooked.
What are tonsil stones?
The tonsils have many small crypts. Leftover food, dead cells, mucus and bacteria can get trapped in them and, over time, clump into small white or yellow lumps. They often smell because bacteria break down the material that has collected.
Signs to recognise
- Persistent bad breath even after careful brushing.
- A feeling of something stuck in the throat.
- Small white or yellow grains seen at the tonsils, or coughed up.
- Sometimes a mild sore throat or discomfort on one side of the throat.
Are they serious?
Tonsil stones are usually harmless and mainly cause discomfort and embarrassment when talking to people. However, if there is a long lasting sore throat, swelling of one tonsil, fever or bleeding, please see an ear, nose and throat doctor.
How can you reduce bad breath from tonsil stones?
- Gargle with warm saline after meals and before bed.
- Keep your mouth clean: brush twice a day and clean between the teeth and the tongue, see whether tongue scraping is necessary.
- Drink enough water so the mouth does not dry out.
- Do not pick at the stones with sharp objects such as toothpicks, needles or fingernails, since this easily injures the tonsil and causes infection.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Before thinking of tonsil stones, you should rule out causes of bad breath in the mouth itself, such as decay, gum inflammation or tartar, see bad breath, causes and how to handle it. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first. If your teeth and gums are fine but your breath still smells, the dentist will advise you to see an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Do tonsil stones always cause bad breath?
No. Many people have small stones without any symptoms. Bad breath usually appears when stones build up and bacteria break down the material.
Should I remove tonsil stones myself at home?
Not with sharp objects, since this can injure the tonsil and cause infection. Gargle with saline and see a doctor if stones are large or keep returning.
When should bad breath be checked by an ENT doctor?
When your mouth is clean and a dental check finds no cause but the breath still smells, or when it comes with a long lasting sore throat, swollen tonsil or fever.