The tonsils, or palatine tonsils, are a pair of soft tissues found in the back of the mouth and the rear of the pharynx. Tonsils are part of the body’s lymphatic system. Their main purpose is to prevent harmful bacteria and foreign microorganisms from entering the body, specifically the digestive tract and respiratory system. Each is made of tissue with lymphocytes covered with pink mucosa. Bacteria and food are trapped in the folds of each tonsil.
Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are hard yellow or white bits of debris and bacteria formed in a person’s tonsils. Experts describe them as tiny pebble-like structures sticking in the tonsils with a foul smell. Most of the time, tonsil stones are not dangerous and may go unnoticed. They can also be asymptomatic and can go away on their own. However, this condition can cause minor symptoms such as bad breath, recurring sore throat, swollen tonsils, and painful swallowing.
Several home remedies are proven effective against mild cases, but this article discusses some safe and effective treatments for tonsil stones.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics prevent bacteria by destroying them or stopping them from reproducing. When the harmful bacteria are numerous and excessive for the white blood cells to handle, antibiotics can help destroy these harmful invaders and prevent diseases.
Tonsil stones are caused by bacteria accumulated at the throat’s top. When the white blood cells are unable to destroy all bacteria which cause tonsil stones, the antibacterial properties of antibiotics fight them.
Doctors recommend antibiotics, especially in lowering the bacterial growth of the body. In addition, taking an antibiotic may lower the efforts of the white blood cells in combating bacteria. However, a material called biofilm, described as the collection of microorganisms existing on the surface, can become antibiotic-resistant.
