TONSIL STONES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Have you been dealing with bad taste or mouth odor that has refused to go away?

You might have accumulated dirt and bacteria lodged in your throat.

How do they get there?
How can the situation be managed?

Tonsil stones are small whitish or yellowish calcifications that form when dirt get trapped in the small pockets of your tonsils.

Your tonsils are lymph nodes located in the back of the mouth, and top of the throat.

They protect the body from infection by filtering out bacteria and germs.

WHAT CAUSES STONES TO FORM?

- Poor oral hygiene which can lead to a build up of bacteria
- Larger tonsils or deep pockets in tonsils can attract and keep dirt
- Recurrent tonsillitis
- Foods that are high in calcium
- Constantly dry mouth
- Sinus issues like post natal drip

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

They may or may not cause symptoms, however symptoms include;

- Foul smelling breath: You can tell it’s tonsil stones when neither brushing nor mouthwash can fix it.

- Sore throat: Tonsil stones can cause sore throat or a feeling of discomfort

- Difficulty swallowing: Large stones can cause pain while swallowing

- White dirt: There will be visible white or yellowish spots or lumps at the back of the throat

- Ear pain: Larger stones can sometimes cause ear pain.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE AND PREVENT TONSIL STONES?

The most important step is maintaining good oral hygiene.

- Brush 2 times a day, and floss daily to prevent build up of bacteria.

- Gargle with salt water daily, this helps to dislodge tonsil stones.

- Manual removal by dislodging..them with a cotton swab or the back of your toothbrush.

In cases where you cannot remove them yourself, an ENT specialist can help you dislodge them.

In other cases where it causes an infection, antibiotics are given to treat it and reduce inflammation.

In severe cases where the stones are recurrent, tonsillectomy can be carried out.

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of stones, done by an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Tonsil stones are not harmful, though they can be embarrassing.

If you’ve searched high and low....for the cause of your bad breath, check your tonsils out.

Have you ever seen something like this before?

It’s a condition where a person develops way more teeth than normal (a rare dental abnormality called hyperdontia).
Normally, adults have 32 teeth. But in this case, what you’re seeing is the presence of dozens if not hundreds of extra teeth, many of them small and oddly shaped, packed tightly together. This type of extreme presentation is often linked to a benign tumor-like growth called a compound odontoma.

It usually forms in childhood and might not be noticed until it starts causing symptoms like swelling, difficulty chewing, or cosmetic concerns. In many cases, it’s only discovered during a dental X-ray just like the one below this photo.

The cause isn’t always clear, but genetics and developmental disorders like Gardner’s syndrome or cleidocranial dysplasia are linked to it.

It is treatable. Dentists and oral surgeons can remove the excess teeth and restore function and appearance. But the earlier it’s detected, the better the outcome.

So if a child has delayed tooth eruption, unusual swelling in the jaw, or extra teeth appearing, please don’t ignore it. A dental X-ray could reveal more than you think.

#Hyperdontia
#snovoknowledge
#Queendiva

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