Have you ever heard of or experienced tonsil stones? It may sound frightening, but it is completely harmless and can be prevented easily. In this article, we’ll go over how to prevent tonsil stones.
First, what do tonsils do for you?
Tonsils are located at the back of the throat. They are lymph nodes that are part of your body’s immune system. They serve as bacteria and virus filters. They also produce white blood cells and antibodies that fight disease. Your tonsils help prevent pathogens from entering deeper into the body so don’t remove them.
What are tonsil stones?
Tonsil stones are essentially biofilms. These biofilms act as bacterial igloos. Bacteria use these igloos to protect themselves from antibiotics.
The bacteria produce a gas that emits a foul odor. This is why bad breath is a common symptom of tonsil stones. Tonsil stones may also cause a metallic taste in the mouth and a cough.
The stones typically form as a result of chronic tonsillitis or antibiotic use. Tonsil stones can be caused by factors such as steroids, diabetes, sugar consumption, zinc deficiency, or vitamin D deficiency. A high-carbohydrate diet and dairy products can also contribute to this problem.
Natural remedies for tonsil stones:
These simple home remedies can help you get rid of tonsil stones. Though it may take some time, if the remedies are followed consistently, you will find relief from painful tonsil stones. A combination of natural herbs and a lot of patience can help you get rid of these pesky tonsil stones. Even if you choose a conventional treatment, try these at home to hasten your recovery.
- Garlic – Chew on a few garlic pods several times a day to let the anti-bacterial action work its magic on the stones
- Oregano oil
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Lime Juice
Tips to Prevent Tonsil Stones
Maintain oral hygiene – The Mouth is undoubtedly the dirtiest part of your body, as there are a lot of bacteria there. Keeping your mouth clean, is one of the first things you should do. Use good toothpaste and gargle with salt water and so on.
Eat a well-balanced diet – A well-balanced diet, complete with the right vitamins, minerals, and probiotics can help you get rid of tonsil stones. Maintaining a balance of good and bad bacteria is the key to keeping away tonsil stones. So the importance of a well-balanced diet cannot be stressed enough.
Supplement with probiotics – Since maintaining the balance of good and bad bacteria is so important for your body, sometimes consuming probiotics via foods may not be enough, as we may not be able to have enough of them in our daily diet. So add a probiotic supplement to your diet. Choose one which is a combination of a prebiotic and a probiotic, both of which are really beneficial for your health.
Drink adequate amounts of water – To keep your mouth moist, make sure you drink more and more water. Drinking water not only flushes away unnecessary stones but also maintains the right balance of the body, where harmful microorganisms are kept at bay.
Avoid consuming sugary foods – Tonsil stones love the sugary environment, so stones grow more if you consume too many sugary drinks. So, if you are suffering from tonsil stones, make sure you eliminate sugar-laden and fizzy drinks from your diet.
