Other Symptoms of Tonsil Stones
You may experience one or more of these symptoms if you have tonsil stones:
- Chronic bad breath
- Persistent sore throat
- Sensation of a foreign object in the back of your throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain
- Cough
- Earache
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Throat infections that can be challenging to treat with antibiotics
One of the most common ways people find out they have tonsil stones is by spotting these growths while looking in the mirror. “You may notice them when flossing your teeth,” Dr. Setlur says.
But in other cases, tonsil stones are not readily visible. Sometimes the formations may be too small to see with your naked eye, or they may be buried too deep in the tonsillar tissue, explains Thatcher.
“Some people may learn they have tonsil stones after going to the doctor or dentist because of their bad breath,” says Dr. Thatcher.
However, not everyone with tonsil stones experiences bad breath or any symptoms at all, especially when they’re small, according to a 2021 case study.
The lack of symptoms by many people may mean this condition is much more prevalent (and underdiagnosed) than we realize, says Thatcher. But if tonsil stones don’t affect your daily life, you may not need to seek medical attention. They often fall out without treatment. Tonsil stones are also not contagious.
If you suspect that you have tonsil stones, or if you see growths on your tonsils that look like they may be tonsil stones, you should see your doctor to get a diagnosis and discuss your treatment options.
“Typically, people will see a primary care physician or dentist first,” says Setlur. But you may be referred to an otolaryngologist if your doctor or dentist suggests the stones should be removed by a specialist.
Read the full article here
