Ever have that dull sore-throat pain that makes you feel like
you have strep throat? It may not always be strep throat! Tonsil
stones, formally named tonsilloliths, are chunks in the tonsils’
deep pockets that are composed of mucus, dead cells, and other
debris. They are usually not any bigger than a pencil eraser,
but they have existed to be more than an inch wide. They are
very commonly misdiagnosed (i.e. as food particles), and it has
not been until recently that people have started to realize how
widespread of an affliction it is. Also, tonsil stones can cause
bad breath, dry mouth, sore throats, and ear pain. Our very own
Dr. Katz was interviewed by the NY Times, and he mentioned that
one of the main questions he gets is “what are those things
growing in my tonsils?” As far as tonsil stones solutions, some
patients try removing them manually with a Q-tip. Dr. Katz
recommends not getting surgery, but trying oxygenating
mouthwashes and sinus sprays, since those neutralize the
anaerobic bacteria that causes