Tonsils Related Bad Breath

Tonsils related bad breath happens more often than people think. There is a misconception that only the tongue, teeth, and gums can cause bad breath. Tonsils can also have the ability to produce a nasty odor that other people shy away from. But how does one go about preventing this from happening? A good way to start is to understand exactly what causes tonsils to emit bad breath.

Tonsillolith is more commonly known as a tonsil stone. This is a cluster of food particles and bacteria that form at the rear of the mouth, right where the tonsils are located. Our tonsils have small crevasses that are designed to trap bacteria, viruses, and foreign particles that might infect us when it goes down our throat. Food particles often get trapped in these crevasses. Together with bacteria, it hardens and calcifies and form tonsil stones that produce a strong unpleasant odor.

Tonsil stones can range in size, from something really small up to the size of a peppercorn. These are normally white or cream in color and produce the strong smell because of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan that are usually formed from the bacteria that causes it. While tonsilloliths may be irritating, these are usually not harmful. They can be expelled by simple coughing, although it only works half the time and may still cause tonsils related bad breath .

Tonsils cause bad breath because of the bacteria that is in the calcified tonsil stone. While this is not considered a medical emergency, some people opt to seek treatment to ensure that bad breath does not affect their day to day activities. Tonsils causing bad breath is usually not diagnosed unless you check with a dentist - most people assume that the foul breath emanates from the oral cavities and resort to gargling with mouthwash, chewing gum, or flossing. While these may help mask the smell, it does not address the source of the problem and will only be effective for a short time.

There are a few ways of removing tonsil stones to get rid of tonsils related bad breath . One of the easier ways to expel the stones naturally is to press a finger or cotton swab against the bottom of the tonsil and then push upwards. While this can induce the gag reflex, it also causes pressure to squeeze out the stone. Another remedy is to stay hydrated, as an abundance of liquids hydrates the throat and prevents the formation of tonsil stones by washing away the particles gathered. A last ditch attempt to remove tonsil stones would be through surgical means. You need to consult with an ENT first before making this decision, as this is considered a serious surgery and therefore is irreversible.