# Let's talk about tonsil stones (yes, TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738 "2011-06-08T13:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/21 "2011-06-08T23:49:10Z")
I don’t have bad breath, thankfully, not even when I have them. I tried and tried to get this one out today but it won’t. It’s HUGE. I guess I’ll just have to wait until it comes out normally. Blah. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/22 "2011-06-09T00:10:36Z")
Yes, post-nasal drip tends to make them a lot worse, which is why I have a problem with them. Although it sounds from Wikipedia that the exact mechanism by which they are formed and calcify is not exactly understood, bacteria are a part of this. If you swish and gargle a non-alcoholic mouthwash about 2-3 times a day, it will reduce the number of tonsilloliths and their size. I personally use biotene (be sure buy the big bottle, it’s kinda pricy). ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/23 "2011-06-09T00:18:26Z")
I’m currently considering having the tonsils removed to be done with the damned things. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/24 "2011-06-09T02:45:54Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Is it possible to have them and not know it? Maybe small ones? Is this something I should be hypnchondriacally worried about despite never having heard of it before? You ever sneeze and have something come out of your mouth (not nose) that’s an off-white and smells **terrible** if you squish it with a tissue? If not, no. I didn’t know you could get them out on their own. I don’t think I’ll try, it’d probably make me puke if I poked around back there. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/25 "2011-06-09T03:16:35Z")
I get these occasionally (like once or twice a year). I check my tonsils most every morning just to be sure there aren’t any there. When I do get them, I can usually pop them out with a little pressure from a finger or else pry them out with a toothpick, although that might not be a physician-recommended method. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/26 "2011-06-09T03:47:40Z")
Occasionally a person will try to pop one out by using his or her finger, but the little bugger will latch onto the person’s finger and haul the finger back into the tonsil. In the most serious cases, the finger, then the hand, then the arm, and finally the rest of the body will be consumed, leaving nothing but a lump of calcified pus where there used to be a person. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/27 "2011-06-09T07:56:17Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I am grateful to have my tonsils - I think they are part of the reason I only ever get a head cold. Literally it never goes into my chest, ever. But tonsil stones are almost not worth it. I believe the current line of thinking is that tonsils help guard against sickness in children but not for adults. I got a tonsillectomy a couple years ago due to tonsil stones and chronic tonsillitis, and I’ve actually gotten sick a lot _less_ since the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/28 "2011-06-09T14:26:28Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > I believe the current line of thinking is that tonsils help guard against sickness in children but not for adults. > > I got a tonsillectomy a couple years ago due to tonsil stones and chronic tonsillitis, and I’ve actually gotten sick a lot _less_ since the procedure. I’m on the fence right now about having this done at the doctor’s suggestion. How was the procedure, and would you do it again? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/29 "2011-06-09T14:37:15Z")
An oldie but goodie: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=119774&highlight=Tonsilloliths](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=119774&highlight=Tonsilloliths) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/30 "2011-06-09T14:48:20Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > I believe the current line of thinking is that tonsils help guard against sickness in children but not for adults. > > I got a tonsillectomy a couple years ago due to tonsil stones and chronic tonsillitis, and I’ve actually gotten sick a lot _less_ since the procedure. I don’t get sick very often, and I just don’t see the point of having major invasive surgery for what is essentially an inconvenience. I don’t get tonsillitis, ever. I’m glad it worked for you, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/31 "2011-06-09T14:52:36Z")
This thread has been a model of decorum compared to that one. Yick! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/32 "2011-06-09T15:20:01Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I’m on the fence right now about having this done at the doctor’s suggestion. How was the procedure, and would you do it again? On the whole, it was worth it. I ran into a couple of post-op complications with bleeding, so I got to go back to the hospital a few days after the surgery for some minor cauterization and spend a couple days in observation. It’s an uncommon complication, but I just happened to be part of that percentage. The overall recovery took a while–I missed three weeks of work. Lost about 20 pounds (I’m somewhat overweight, so I looked a lot better for it), but alas I promptly gained it right back after I recovered. If you’re thinking about having the procedure, make sure you have family or friends who can keep an eye on you for a week or two and can get you to the hospital if necessary (prior to the procedure, my doctor told me bluntly that I should stay in the vicinity of a hospital for a couple of weeks just in case). That being said, I’d do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/33 "2011-06-09T15:27:39Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > This thread has been a model of decorum compared to that one. Yick! > > 🙂 I thinK i set the tone. It’s bad enough we have them, we don’t need to discuss them in detail! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/34 "2011-06-09T16:33:56Z")
I use a mother of pearl chopstick. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/35 "2011-06-09T17:50:13Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Yes, post-nasal drip tends to make them a lot worse, which is why I have a problem with them. Same here. I don’t know _why_ I have post-nasal drip (other than it’s not allergies,) but I have it pretty much 24/7…two to three times I week I have to use a flashlight and those long medical cotton swabs to remove the larger ones. My post-nasal drip has also caused my Eustachian tubes to get blocked up. For the past seven years I have had tinnitus and get small “pops” in my ears every time I swallow…every. fucking. time. Air travel is very painful for me, as the pressure in my sinuses and ears goes haywire. > [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I’m currently considering having the tonsils removed to be done with the damned things. Same here…I’m hoping an ENT will also go “hey, deviated septum/other weird thing causing post-nasal drip and blocked tubes, let’s fix that too!” > [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t get sick very often, and I just don’t see the point of having major invasive surgery for what is essentially an inconvenience. I don’t get tonsillitis, ever. I’m glad it worked for you, though. 🙂 Well, I wouldn’t call it major surgery…def. just a minor procedure (some newer techniques can be done with just local anesthesia in an outpatient setting,) and only minimally invasive. After all, the hole to get at them is already there, 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/36 "2011-06-09T18:29:37Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Well, I wouldn’t call it major surgery…def. just a minor procedure (some newer techniques can be done with just local anesthesia in an outpatient setting,) and only minimally invasive. After all, the hole to get at them is already there, 😛 You are right, but to me all surgery pretty much is major surgery. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/37 "2011-06-09T19:31:47Z")
I forgotten about these. I used to get them when I was younger but, despite a trip to the doctor who sent a swab off for analysis and told me there was nothing to worry about, I was never quite sure what they were. I think I was told it was a minor case of tonsillitis, but reading the wiki article that doesn’t seem accurate. Haven’t had one for several year now. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/38 "2011-06-09T20:15:29Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Well, I wouldn’t call it major surgery…def. just a minor procedure (some newer techniques can be done with just local anesthesia in an outpatient setting,) and only minimally invasive. After all, the hole to get at them is already there, 😛 > [@Anaamika](#): > > You are right, but to me all surgery pretty much is major surgery. 🙂 Minor Procedure = Something done to someone else. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![newme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@newme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newme)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/39 "2011-06-09T20:46:33Z")
Whenever I get tonsil stones, I remove them with a few squirts from a Monoject curved tip syringe (google it). No toothpicks or swabs needed. ---
**Author:** ![TurningJapanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@TurningJapanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TurningJapanese)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738/40 "2011-06-10T02:54:26Z")
I read this thread last night, which led me to googling, then youtubing. It looks like they’re pretty common, but… ick. Yet I could not look away. The youtube videos literally kept me up last night thinking about it. Today, yeah, I was still thinking about it. So I looked in my mouth. I have never seen or heard of this before so I figured no way. But I had one!! I poked it with a rubbery pointy dental thing I have for my gums and it popped right out and I accidentally swallowed it. (Blech) So as far as having one and not knowing, that’s what happened to me, but it seems like the back of my tongue doesn’t go back all the way to my tonsils. Even when I tried feeling it with my tongue back there I couldn’t. It seems those that have it have been dealing with it a long time. Did I get them my whole life and not known it? Or could it be a one time thing? Plus, I was just at my dentist yesterday!! He didn’t tell me I had a calcified growth in my tonsils!! Should he have mentioned it? Very interesting thread. I have NEVER heard of anything like this at all before. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tonsil-stones-yes-tmi/584738.md?page=3)