What Are Tonsil Stones?

So you’ve probably heard of kidney stones, but what about tonsil stones? It’s actually a common condition that your dentist in Edina can help you understand a little bit more about. For some patients, tonsil stones are a recurring condition; for other people, they might never experience them in their lifetime. 

Some Common Causes of Tonsil Stones

Stand in front of a mirror, open up, and say, “ah.” When you see the tonsils in the back of your throat, take note of all of the nooks and crannies. These are the perfect places for bacteria to hide out and become trapped. When this happens, the bacteria and debris can form tiny white tonsil stones as they harden over time. Some of the most common causes of why tonsil stones occur include a wide range of bacterial and viral infections such as: 

• Streptococcus bacteria 
• Adenoviruses 
• Influenza virus
• Herpes simplex virus
• Enteroviruses

Tonsillitis: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms

Tonsillitis is generally caused by painful inflammation and swelling in your tonsils. However, there are some other symptoms you need to be on the lookout for if you or someone in your family has tonsil stones:

• Bad breath
• Frequent sore throats
• Earaches
• Trouble swallowing

You should also be mindful if you have an ongoing cough or persistent swelling. It’s best to see your doctor or dentist in Edina to get professional advice. 

How Can You Prevent Tonsil Stones?

Chronic tonsillitis is the perfect match for tonsil stones. So, the best way to ensure you’re free from tonsil stones in the future is to consider having your tonsils removed. This is also known as a tonsillectomy and involves removing your tonsil tissue completely, so there’s no more inflammation and issues for you or your kiddo. Once you’re healed, you can take comfort in knowing you’ll never experience the discomfort of a tonsil infection or unwanted tonsil stones ever again!

Are you having trouble with tonsil stones? You can schedule an appointment at our dental office in Edina so we can talk with you about your experience and goals. We can work with you and your primary care physician to help you get rid of tonsil issues and stay healthy. Please call us to get started!

About The Author

Dr. Heidi Brandenburg

Dr. Heidi Brandenburg is an expert in esthetic dentistry. She is also trained in implant dentistry and comprehensive care. To keep up with the advancements in the dentistry field, she joins several professional organizations and study clubs, collaborating with other dentists and specialists. Committed to giving back to the community, she volunteers her services to charitable organizations. Dr. Brandenburg used to train dentists in administering treatments to medically compromised patients while managing her private practice. She also worked at the dental facility of a center for the mentally ill.

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