What are tonsil stones, after all?
As mentioned above, tonsil stones are small solid formations that develop in the tonsils. Their composition mainly involves organic residues, such as food debris and desquamated cells from the oral mucosa itself.
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When these particles get trapped in the crypts of the throat, the combination with the calcium present in saliva hardens the mass, creating these “stones”. The strong smell comes precisely from the decomposition process of the accumulated elements.
In other words, these formations do not appear overnight. They are the result of a continuous and often silent accumulation.
Main symptoms you should observe
Tonsil stones do not always cause pain, but they can cause a number of uncomfortable signs. Among the most common symptoms are:
Persistent bad breath, even with good oral hygiene
Sensation of something stuck in the throat
Mild difficulty swallowing
Dry or irritating cough
Frequent irritation or inflammation of the tonsils
These symptoms vary from person to person. Some people eliminate tonsil stones naturally when coughing or eating firmer foods, without ever knowing what actually happened.
Why do these stones form in the throat?
There are several factors that favor the formation of tonsil stones. The structure of the tonsils is one of them: people with deeper crypts tend to accumulate them more frequently. Other factors that increase the risk are:
Inadequate oral hygiene
Recurrent tonsillitis
Reduced saliva production
Smoking or mouth breathing
Excessive consumption of dairy products or foods that leave residue
