The science of tonsil stones

Some people often confuse strep throat with tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, but sufferers can usually determine what they are suffering from by the uncomfortable nature and smell of these white clusters that form at the back of the mouth. Little white bumps that form at the back of your throat are a major culprit of halitosis, and are usually one of the main warning signs that you are experiencing this ailment.

Where do they come from?
Tonsil stones are commonly thought to be food particles stuck in the back of your throat, but they are not. One of the underlying causes of tonsil stones is that the tonsils have too much lymph fluid to filter and the excess turns into the white matter at the back of your throat. Tonsils are a part of the lymphatic system, a bodily system that circulates lymph fluid in the same way that blood flows through one's veins.

Your tonsils are actually a vital part of the lymph system and are actually lymph nodes. This means that they proactively work to filter what is coming into the body through the mouth, such as any foreign cells, bacteria and viruses. If your tonsils are working properly, they will fight anything bad that is trying to enter the body. You know how individuals who get strep throat often will get their tonsils removed so they don’t have to worry about the illness? This can actually be bad because our tonsils are the last filter that any virus or bacteria goes through, so if you don’t have your tonsils and you have a weak lymph system, those things go straight into the body.

Your tonsils work hard to keep the body healthy all around, and tonsil stones are formed when there is too much lymph fluid to clean. If your tonsils are working hard to get rid of the bad stuff in lymph fluid, tonsils become under active and then the fluid turns hard and gets stuck in the back of the mouth. This is where the problems arise.

What causes them?
Tonsil stones can be caused by various things, but many of them are illnesses. Anyone experiencing post nasal drip, allergies, sinus infections, viruses or bacterial infections may also get tonsil stones. However, they can also appear because of alcohol, refined food and stress. Many people who experience tonsil stones once, tend to get them again so if that is the case it will be helpful to avoid alcohol and refined foods as much as possible.

What to do?
Since tonsil stones are formed because the lymph system isn’t working to its full potential, maintaining regular health will decrease the probability of getting tonsil stones. Running, practicing yoga or doing any other kind of physical activity regularly will help the lymph fluid move more freely through the body. That’s right - working out can help get rid of these annoying mouth sores and halitosis. Doing exercises with the head and neck are especially helpful, and practicing Kundalini yoga is said to be especially beneficial.

Beyond keeping your body healthy, you’ll want to maintain a healthy mouth to make sure that you fully get rid of tonsil stones and you prevent them from coming back. Since tonsil stones wreak havoc on your breath, you’ll want to make sure you have a good product to control the nasty symptoms that can easily clear a room. Maintaining overall good oral health and drinking plenty of water will help anyone experiencing tonsil stones.