A layman becomes aware of his tonsils once they get infected or swollen. Tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue in the throat and mouth. Their sole purpose is to prevent the entry of pathogens into the body, thereby warding off diseases. They are located at the beginning of our airways and digestive tract. Sometimes, the doctor has to remove the tonsils if they become chronically infected.
However, tonsils are the body’s first responders to pathogens. When you get a sore throat, it’s an indication that tonsils are doing their job of fighting infections. If you too suffer from recurring tonsil pain, then you can try some of these below-mentioned home remedies for tonsil stones to curb the virus at the initial stage. This article throws light on some safe and affordable natural treatments to cure tonsil stones.
Stats
Around 10% of the population have tonsilloliths or tonsil stones. These appear due to frequent episodes of tonsillitis. Bacteria cause these stones, individual food particles, and mucus entrapped in the tiny pockets on the tonsils. These particles get trapped due to a lack of oral hygiene.
Home Remedies for Tonsil Stones
There are many time-tested natural home remedies for tonsil stones:
1. Garlic
Garlic(1) is an effective remedy to treat tonsil stones naturally. It has antibacterial properties that make it quite useful for treating tonsils too. Garlic helps in eliminating bacteria that cause inflammation. It also prevents the solidification of various other substances in the tonsils.
You can chew on raw garlic cloves a couple of times a day as a home remedy for tonsil stones.
It is recommended to daily repeat until you find no pain or swelling in your stones. You can continue until you find no more stones in your tonsils, which can be seen with the help of a flashlight in front of a mirror.
[Read: Foods for Tonsillitis]
2. Essential Oils
You can use essential oils for treating tonsil stones. Certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and hence, excellent home remedies for tonsil stones. Oils like lemongrass, thieves’ oil, and myrrh have shown tremendous results for eliminating tonsil stones because of their antibacterial properties and healing properties.
You can add some drops of any of the above-mentioned essential oils on your toothbrush every day while brushing your teeth. Use the brush to gag and clean your tongue. It will help the oils to treat your painful tonsils.
You can also use these oils in a spray bottle and spray on the affected area daily.
Continue using essential oils treatment on your tonsil stones until you find no stones in your tonsils. You can use these oils for as long as a few months as they have no side-effects.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar for tonsil stones is an excellent home remedy. Apple cider vinegar contains acid that eats away the stones formed on the tonsils until they break down totally. Not only for tonsil stones, but apple cider vinegar has also shown positive results for treating several such other infections.
- You can use Apple cider vinegar as a gargle for tonsil stones.
- If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can also use white vinegar for similar results.
Dilute it with water and gargle every day morning and evening after brushing teeth. You can continue treatment until you find no stones on your tonsils and your pain completely relieved.
[Read: Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar]
4. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent natural home remedy for tonsil stones. You should use only the unsweetened organic yogurt for treating tonsil stones. Yogurt is full of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria for the body. This good bacterium helps in removing tonsil stones by eliminating bacteria and other materials accumulated on the tonsils. Yogurt also prevents them from returning.
You can consume unsweetened organic yogurt daily for lunch and dinner to fight off the harmful bacteria buildup on your tonsils.
A cup or two daily will do the needful.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an ultimate source of vitamin C and certain other essential nutrients that help to fight the tonsil-stone causing bacteria. Regular consumption of lemon juice also prevents this bacterium from coming back. Lemon juice not only helps in flushing out toxins but also helps in boosting metabolism.
- You can mix a few drops of the juice in a cup of warm water. Also, add some salt if required.
- Next, drink the juice but before gulping it down, retain it at the tonsil area and hold for a minute before you swallow it. It will give time to the lemon to work on the stones.
Repeat once or twice daily for effective results.
6. Onions
Just like garlic, onions(2) also have strong antibacterial properties that make it an excellent home remedy for tonsil stones. Eating raw onions promotes oral health and certain other oral diseases. To ward off onion breath after eating fresh onions, you can pop in some mint after eating uncooked onions.
Eat a minimum of three raw onions every day to treat tonsil stones and knock off the microscopic bacteria residing on your tonsils. You can eat fresh onions with a dash of salt and lemon juice or along with your meals.
Eat raw onions every day until your tonsils are gone.
[Read: Treat Tonsillitis Naturally]
7. Saltwater
You can use salt water as a gargle for tonsil stones. Gargling with salt water eliminates bad odor and also prevents the accumulation of bacteria and other debris on tonsils. Doctors commonly recommend saltwater gargle for treating sore throat.
- Add three teaspoons of salt in 500 ml of boiling water.
- Allow it to cool and then gargle with this salty water.
Repeat this procedure twice or thrice daily. Saltwater gargle is best when done every morning before breakfast and every night after dinner.
Tonsil stones are a common problem that affects most people with improper oral hygiene. It causes discomfort and bad breath. These above-mentioned simple home remedies can quickly help you get rid of this problem. If treated on time, tonsil stones can be cured easily with home remedies.
[Read: Salt Water for Sore Throat]
If left ignored, you might require surgery to remove the painful stones. These natural treatment methods are safe and have no side effects. When done regularly, you can avoid the need for surgery. These treatments not only prevent tonsil stones, but they also boost your health in many other ways.
FAQs
1. Why Do Tonsil Stones Cause Bad Breath?
Tonsil stones are made up of various materials such as bacteria, mucus, food particles, and debris that accumulate on the tonsils. They produce a large amount of Sulphur, which is the prime cause of the bad breath.
2. Are Tonsil Stones Contagious?
Tonsil stones are not contagious contrary to the popular myth. Even though the cause of these stones is due to bacteria, it does not easily spread as everyone has a different oral structure.
3. Are Tonsil Stones Recurrent?
There is no permanent cure for tonsil stones. It can be prevented by following home remedies for tonsil stones regularly. Proper oral hygiene is a must to avoid the occurrence of tonsil stones.
