Have you ever noticed those little white lumps that occasionally appear in your throat? We’re not talking about the pus-filled patches that can appear during serious infections like tonsillitis, but rather those small, foul-smelling, pasty masses that form on your tonsils and are usually expelled when you cough or sneeze. Do you know what I’m talking about?
Well, these lumps are known as tonsillar stones, or tonsilloliths, and there’s no reason to worry about them. According to Alina Bradford of Live Science, these small masses are mostly benign accumulations of tissue debris, food, and bacteria in the tonsil cavities.
As we mentioned in a previous article here at Mega Curioso, the tonsils are groups of lymphatic tissue that come into action when we inhale or swallow substances that can cause diseases, activating our immune system. In addition, these structures play a vital role as a protective barrier that prevents particles, food residues and other objects from reaching the respiratory system and reaching the lungs.
According to Alina, over time, this waste, along with dead cells and bacteria, gradually builds up in the tonsil cavities. In response, our body sends white blood cells to fight these foreign substances, and when these immune cells complete their task, the result is the formation of more solid particles.
We usually swallow these “remnants of the fight” without even noticing, which may not be very pleasant. However, if these fragments remain lodged in the tonsil cavities, they can gradually grow and turn into the aforementioned foul-smelling masses.
According to Alina, tonsil stones are more common in children and adolescents, but they can affect people of all ages. Their presence in the tonsils can cause mild discomfort and inflammation, and a very common symptom is bad breath, due to the action of bacteria that multiply in these small masses.
Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do to prevent tonsil stones from forming, but one way to reduce their occurrence is to maintain good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth after meals, flossing daily, and also remembering to take care of your tongue to prevent bacterial overgrowth.
As mentioned earlier, tonsil stones are often removed when coughing or sneezing. However, it is possible to remove them with the help of a cotton swab or a cotton swab, although this may be uncomfortable for some people. Another option is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as long as you do not feel nauseous from doing so. In addition, gargling with mouthwash or a solution of hydrogen peroxide diluted in water can also help remove these small masses. In very rare and extreme cases, a healthcare professional may recommend removing the tonsils as a preventative measure.