Tonsil stones form when food particles and bacteria build up into little white balls in the crypts on or near the tonsils. Also called tonsilloliths, these bumps can cause awful bed breath and a general irritation of the throat. However, tonsil stones are not a serious condition and can often be treated at home.

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to remove infected tonsils. However, this type of infection can be either bacterial or viral. Bacterial infection must be treated by antibiotics. Viral infections do not have any treatment. However, you can help relieve some of the symptoms of tonsillitis by gargling a mixture of turmeric and powdered pepper, and boiled water. Over the counter pain medication may help with the aches and pains and sore throat that are also common.

Tonsil stones, however, will require a different treatment. Many times, you can get rid of these by squeezing your throat or coughing them up. Another home remedy is to gargle a mixture of salt and water. If these do not work, you might try using a syringe filled with warm water to dislodge the tonsil stones.

While many people confuse the two conditions, there are marked differences. The major difference is that your throat is not as sore with tonsil stones as it is with tonsillitis. Your doctor may suggest a tonsillectomy to remove your tonsils if you suffer from repeated cases of tonsillitis. The best doctor to consult on such an issue is an ENT doctor. Best of luck to you.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winston_Marquis

Tonsil stones are white bumps of food particles and bacteria that attach themselves to your tonsils and the areas around your tonsils (tonsillar crypts). Tonsil stones can cause horrific bad breath and a constant feeling of irritation in the throat. Tonsil stones should not be confused with tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is an infection found in the tonsils. It can be either viral or bacterial. Viral infections can not be treated; they simply must be allowed time to go away. Bacterial infections need to be treated with penicillin or some other kind of antibiotic.

Tonsil stones, however, do not need this type of treatment. You can use one of several home remedies to treat this irritating throat bumps. Tonsiloliths, or tonsil stones, can be dislodged. One of the ways to do so is to use a toothpick, cotton swab, or the end of a toothbrush to scrap it off. If this does not work, try using a syringe to blast away the bump. Sometimes, even coughing or squeezing the throat can cause them to become loose.

If the tonsils stones cannot be removed, you may want to speak to your doctor to see if laser tonsil surgery is for you. This removed the ridges that collect the tonsil stones and leave a surface that nothing is able to attach to. However, try the home remedies first, as any invasive surgery has risks and is very expensive. The home remedies can save you a lot of money and downtime from surgery. However, if you have a severe symptoms, a surgery may be your best option.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winston_Marquis

Tonsil stones can be found on the tonsils and manifest themselves as white spots. They are very irritating in the throat and you may feel as though you have something stuck in your throat. However, you can often shake the tonsils stones lose by clearing your throat or by gently squeezing your throat.

There are other home remedies that might prove useful. Gargling with warm salt water or a combination of powdered pepper and turmeric are great ways to help loosen the tonsil stones. You also may find that a cotton swab may dislodge them. However, there are other concerns with your tonsils as well.

Tonsillitis is an infection on the tonsil. Sometimes, a doctor will suggest a tonsillectomy, but more often than not, you can also help relieve the symptoms at home. Drink a mixture of lime juice, salt, and boiled water. This will help to ease some of the pain in your throat. Over the counter medications will also help with the fever, as well as the sore throat.

No matter which condition you suffer from, you may benefit from home remedies. Surgery is also an option, but should be used only as a last resort. There are always risks associated with surgery for tonsillitis, which is called a tonsillectomy. You will also find that you will miss work or school while you recuperate. The expense can also be very high. But the risks of surgery should be your leading concern. However, if you have a large case of tonsil stones, surgery may be your savior. It all depends on your physician's suggestions.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winston_Marquis

If you've noticed a white bump or several white bumps on the back of your throat then you have most likely immediately called the doctor or jumped onto a diagnose-yourself website.

And, more often than not, the doctor will think you have a tonsil infection or inflammation called tonsillitis. They will take a swab, start you on antibiotics and send you on your way- however there is a medical term for condition and it is called Tonsils Stones.

It's important to understand that antibiotics can only cure bacterial infections. This means that tonsillitis that is caused by the bacteria streptococcus, or strep, is the only tonsil-related problem that can be cured by a dose of pills. Any other infections or inflammations, viral or otherwise, cannot be treated with antibiotics.

This includes treating tonsils stones.

Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are little white balls located on your tonsils. They may look like tonsilitis but they are actually not an infection at all. Instead they are caused by bacteria, debris and food gathering in your mouth and making a home in your tonsil crevices.

If you do not feel sick but have enlarged white balls on your tonsils, then it is most likely tonsilloliths. Other symptoms include bad breath, a sore or scratchy throat and a feeling that there is something caught in the back of your throat.

There are several natural ways to treat tonsils stones. Many people are able to simply cough them up by squeezing their throat. This will pop the stones out of place. However, if you are unable to do this you may be able to pick them loose. Grab a bobby pin, a toothpick, a toothbrush, a cotton swap or any other poking device and see if you can't force them loose. Just be careful not to go too deep or poke the inside of your mouth.

If you have a clean syringe you can fill it up with salt and warm water and try to flood the stones loose. Alternatively, you can gargle them loose with salt water. Eventually the stones will break off. It's up to you to dispose of the disgusting little balls and ensure they never see the light of your mouth again.

Tonsils stones are not serious and, in most cases, they are not dangerous either. However, they are annoying. This is why it's important to maintain a regular oral routine including regular brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. You also might consider using a syringe to clean out your tonsils before the bacteria and food can even begin to build up.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Watson

If you have ever had tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, then you probably want to hack off your tonsils to prevent this horrible problem from ever coming back.

However, you need to think twice about doing this.

For one, a tonsillectomy, or a removal of your tonsils, is a serious surgery that comes with a variety of dangers. Second of all, a tonsillectomy is not cheap. You will incur hospital costs, surgery costs, plus you will lose days of school or work to get the surgery done. And finally, it is not necessary, nor is it smart to remove your tonsils simply because you have suffered from tonsil stones.

For those who have never been 'blessed' with these little white balls on your tonsils, let's explain. Tonsilloliths is the formation of food particles, mouth debris and sulphuric bacteria found in your mouth. The food, debris and bacteria all join together and mold onto your tonsils in little white to yellowish balls. They attach to the crypts of your tonsils and continue to grow, often causing a blockage or restriction in your throat.

For the most part they are not dangerous; however, they can emit a horrendous odor from your mouth that can cause extreme frustration and embarrassment.

Furthermore, you can actually remove and prevent these stones in the comfort of your own home. There is no need to go undergo a tonsillectomy.

To remove tonsil stones you need to dig deep into your mouth and hit them where it hurts. The longer these stones have been in your mouth, the more resistant they will be. In the same way tartar forms on your teeth, the stones continue to harden with time.

You can poke them loose with a toothpick or a cotton swap, if you are not prone to gagging. However, you can also try to use a syringe to flood them out, or even use salt water to gargle them out. Others can able to squeeze their throat and simply pop the stones out of place.

To keep these stones from coming back you need to ensure that your mouth is food, debris and bacteria free. Of course, your mouth will always have particles floating around. However, if you use a syringe to clean your tonsil crypts you can stop the food from building up. Furthermore, you need to ensure that you brush, floss and rinse with a sugar free mouthwash every day.

By taking these small daily precautions you can avoid the recurrence of tonsil stones and avoid the horrors of a tonsillectomy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Watson

For those who have ever suffered from a tonsil inflammation, you probably wish you could just hack off your tonsils. A tonsil inflammation, also called tonsillitis can cause a sore throat, ear pain, a headache, fever and chills and enlarged swollen tonsils. You will most likely have trouble swallowing and talking and generally feel like your entire throat has been injected with pain.

However, a tonsillectomy, or a surgery to remove your tonsils is not the only answer. It may seem like the best ways to stop tonsillitis from ever coming back; however, it also comes with certain dangers and costs that need to be discussed with a doctor.

Luckily there are natural home remedies for treating the symptoms associated with viral tonsillitis. These all-natural cures are the safer and cheaper alternative to a tonsillectomy.

Vegetable juices are a great way to heal your body and your throat. Carrots, beets, cucumber and other freshly squeezed veggie juices will boost your energy levels and also sooth that sore sensation in your throat. You can choose to buy a freshly squeezed juice from a health food store or grocery store or mix one up at home.

You can also choose to mix up a lime cocktail complete with salt to rim the glass. However, skip the tequila or vodka and instead add water to the lime juice mixture. Or, if you have some turmeric and pepper powder lying around the house, mix a pinch of each with a glass of pure boiled milk. The creamy mixture will coat your throat and dull the pain.

You can also try to take a bath with Epson salts which can take away those aches and pains. Or, apply a cold compress to the throat which will reduce the swelling. You can also gargle with salt water or even mouthwash, both proven to help with a sore throat.

In general it will take three to four days for a viral tonsil inflammation to clear up. However, you can reduce easily reduce the suffering at home. For those who are prone to chronic tonsil inflammations, a tonsillectomy may be a better option that the constant suffering. However, in most tonsil infections, it's best to let it pass the natural way.

All of these above options are great alternatives to a tonsillectomy when it comes treating the symptoms of tonsillitis. You can get back to your daily life without having to go under the knife.

Please visit our website for more information on how to Naturally Prevent and Cure Tonsillitis.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Watson