When is it too late? It used to be that when we had a cold or some other ailment we would simply pop a pill or two and the problem would go away. Times have changed though and we now realize that these colds and illnesses are not natural after all and are, in fact, symptomatic of something else going on within us. So how do we know when it is too late to remove tonsil stones or at least try to prevent them from occurring? There are a number of things to consider here and some of them may shock you.

 

Tonsil stones form when an accumulation of bacteria, food particles, dead white blood cells and other debris gets trapped in the crypts of the tonsils. These can vary in consistency depending on how much mucous and bacteria they contain. Sometimes mucous becomes so thick that it develops a bump or a rounded shape. This is known as a tonsilolith. Often this mucous develops in warm and moist places such as the mouth, the ears and the nose.

 

Mucous also accumulates when there is inflammation or a cold or flu. The best way to avoid this is by practicing good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth several times daily and try to scrape away as much of the mucous as possible. If you can’t brush long enough or if you can’t get to the back of your mouth to scrape, then try using a wet cotton bud soaked in alcohol or a Q-tip to scrape out as much of the mucous as you can. If you can remove this mucous in reasonable amount of time then you have nothing to worry about.

 

However, sometimes the stones become so large that brushing doesn’t help. In this case you need to get more aggressive. You want to try using pulsating jets of water against the tonsils. Also you want to get rid of the food and debris that is caught in between the teeth and on and around the tonsils. This is often known as “scraping”.

 

Another tip for getting rid of tonsil stones is to gargle regularly. This will assist in not only removing the food and debris you need to get rid of but it will also floss the teeth and get rid of any particles that are stuck there. Always brush your tongue at the same time as you gargle to ensure that you get the best results. You may also want to consider an irrigation device that can be plugged into your kitchen sink.

 

There are also products available for the home that will help you to remove the tonsil stones. For example, there is a liquid mixture you can use to help you loosen up the tonsils and eliminate the stones. Just brush your teeth, rinse with water, add a few drops to the mixture, and gargle. Another way to remove tonsil stones is to use abrasive materials, such as pumice stone or a garlic clove. This is often helpful as it helps to break up the stones and allow for easier removal.

 

Of course there are many natural methods for getting relief from the pain and irritation associated with tonsilloliths. Some people have even found relief by soaking a cotton swab in vinegar and gently massaging the tonsils for several minutes every day. Others swear by using castor oil mixed with purified water. However, the best way to remove tonsil stones and give yourself immediate relief is to go to your doctor.

 

It is not recommended to try and remove tonsil stones on your own as this can be dangerous. Moreover, while you can easily find some herbal ingredients in your kitchen that will help, it is better to consult with a health care professional. Often times it’s best to remove tonsil stones naturally and without medication. This will ensure that you get long term relief without any complications.