Tonsilloliths or tonsil stones are white highly offensive pieces of rice-like substances spurting from the throat that come into the mouth on coughing, talking, laughing, or hawking and cause bad breath and a feeling of something stuck in the throat.  There is usually no pain or discomfort associated with tonsil stones.  Due to its offensiveness people feel a lack of confidence to speak in public due to the tonsil stones.  These white rice-like particles are seen in the region of the tonsils. Studies show that almost 15% of people in our society have the problems with tonsil stones.

What is the white mass seen in my throat?

Tonsils are the glands that protect our body from the bacteria that enter through the nose and mouth and they contain the immune cells of T-lymphocytes that destroy the bacteria that enter the body.  In this way, the epithelial debris of the bacteria and small bits of the foods that we eat along with the thin calcium biofilm formed in the throat to prevent these bacteria from affecting us together form the substance that we see as small rice-like particles known as tonsil stones. These are formed in small round shapes and stick between the tonsils or in the small depressions in tonsils formed after an infection.

These are seen very commonly in people who get frequent throat pains, have allergy related issues, or who have intermittent sinus or ear infections. Some people may get this with any kind of bacterial infection in any part of the body.  For example, people who get recurrent urinary tract infection may have these tonsil stones in the throat.

Repeated intake of antibiotics causes destruction of the good bacteria in the body and the harmful bacteria may attack the body and tonsil stones may be formed.  There may be changes in immunity due to persistent use of steroid medications, diabetes mellitus, etc., and tonsil stones may be formed. Also, people who do not clean the mouth properly after eating food, those who eat excessive amount of sweets, those who have deficiency of zinc or vitamin D in the body may all be more prone to formation of tonsil stones in the throat.

The most important point to prevent tonsil stone is to identify and correct the condition because of which it occurs, such as the various illnesses that reduce the immunity of the body and thereby lead to formation of tonsil stones.  Also, avoid situations which may cause an inflammation in the throat. Gargling with warm salt water at least once a day will help to clear this problem in the throat.

A natural remedy for this is prepared by crushing garlic and adding it to warm water for gargling. Garlic works as a natural antibacterial agent and the alkaloids present in it work as anti-inflammatory agents for the throat.  The beneficial bacteria in the mouth and throat must be maintained by consuming probiotic foods like buttermilk at normal temperature.  Unnecessary use of antibiotics must be avoided. Habits of smoking or chewing tobacco also must be avoided as smoking and chewing tobacco reduce the immunity in the mouth greatly and lead to formation of tonsil stones.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is very important to make sure that the bits of food left after eating are completely removed. Brushing the teeth at night before sleep is more important than brushing the teeth in the morning because the bits of food that remain in the mouth and in the spaces between the teeth will increase the possibility of formation of the tonsil stones.

Similarly, flossing, which is the process of cleaning the space between teeth using a thread or a tooth floss, also must be done daily.

Intake of zinc and vitamin D greatly improve the immunity.  So, foods like fish, meat, pulses like peas, bengal gram, lentils, sprouted peas and grams, must be consumed as they are good sources of zinc.

Vitamin D is essential for the general immunity of the body. To prevent the deposition of bacteria in the throat we must have very strong T lymphocytes, which are provided by vitamin D. The most important foods containing vitamin D are meat, egg, fish, etc.  The blood may be tested to find the vitamin D level and if it is low, it can be supplemented with vitamin D tablet and exposure to sunlight.  People who have recurrent throat pain or tonsil stones must check the vitamin D level and supplement it if low under the supervision of a doctor.

These methods can help prevent the annoying problem of recurrent tonsil stones or tonsilloliths.