Have you been dealing with bad breath, discomfort when swallowing, and a seemingly constant sore throat? You could very well be suffering from tonsil stones. While this particular ailment is not serious, it can certainly hamper your regular routines and way of life. The good news is that there are very simple at-home remedies that you can use to get rid of this problem. Here are the top 5 home remedies for tonsil stones:
1. Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash
When you have tonsil stones, one of the best things that you can do to get rid of them is to stay on top of your daily oral hygiene routine. Since tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones, are caused by bacteria, the consistent routine of removing bacteria from your mouth will help to eliminate these pockets of debris. Using an antibacterial mouthwash every time after brushing your teeth will help you to effectively get rid of the tonsil stones.
2. Chew on Garlic
While this particular remedy may seem a bit odd and extreme, garlic is actually a fantastic anti-bacterial agent. It is most effective in its raw, concentrated form. This is why it is highly recommended to chew on a garlic clove directly and not to just put it into a more integrated meal. By chewing on a garlic clove once or twice a day for several days straight, you are not only ensuring that the tonsil stones will be removed, but that they won’t come back either.
3. Gargle With an Oral Rinse
There are several different oral rinses that you can gargle to help release the debris caught in your tonsils. A couple of the more popular mixes include a salt water gargle, and a lemon juice and water gargle. The salt water gargle will work as a desiccant, which means it will dry out any extra moisture in your throat and will provide you with relief from the symptoms you are experiencing, such as a sore throat. The lemon gargle will provide similar relief with the added benefits of injecting more Vitamin C into your system. Both of these will help you to feel better and can also help to dislodge the irritating stones.
4. Eat Apples and Carrots
When you are looking for the healthiest at-home remedy available, eating apples and carrots regularly can definitely help your body to eliminate tonsil stones in a natural way. Apples help to keep your teeth clean, and this in turn helps to eliminate extra bacteria that would otherwise build up in your mouth, contributing to further tonsil stone issues. Carrots, on the other hand, will destroy bacteria directly, ensuring the almost immediate removal of the stones. By chewing on both of these on a daily basis, you will be receiving these great oral hygiene benefits as well as the other great features of these particular foods.
5. Use Your Hands
When all else fails and you can easily see the tonsil stones in your mouth, you can always try and use your finger to carefully dislodge the offending stone. The only issue with this is ensuring that you have the right tools available, such as a bright light source, and a very good mirror. When pursuing this particular removal method, it is always a good idea to use a salt water gargle first, as this will help to initially loosen the stones and make your job easier. Another piece of information to keep in mind is to ensure that you are treating your body gently. Remember that your body is not your enemy, the stones are! Don’t be too rough on your tonsils while trying to remove the stones as this can actually make the problem worse than it already is.
With all of these great removal methods that you can easily try at home, you are well on your way to simplified tonsil stone removal. Being able to forego an expensive doctor visit as well as expensive medications is a huge advantage to using these simple methods. If, for whatever reason, you are not able to remove the tonsil stones on your own within a week or two with these solutions, be sure to contact your doctor so that they can examine your particular situation and find you an appropriate remedy.