If you’ve ever suffered from tonsil stones then you’ve likely encountered bad breath. If so, then you’ll be aware of how demoralising and crippling it can be, especially for a particularly outgoing person.
The stench can be so bad that it’s easily noticeable by others, which usually results in snarky comments that only hurt feelings and damage confidence. Therefore it is quite obvious that, after experiencing situations such as this, those effected want to sort this problem ASAP.
Well with the tips I’m going to show you in this post, that’s exactly what you’ll be able to do!
But first, let’s learn why tonsil stones smell so bad in the first place.
Why do tonsil stones stink?
Tonsil are formed when sulphur-producing bacteria (found around the tongue) begin feeding on debris found within the crypts of the tonsils. This can include mucus, dead cells and small food particles.
Halitosis (bad breath) is caused when the Volatile Sulphur Compounds that are made by the bacteria are mixed with this debris, which causes the tonsil stones. Therefore, in order to stop your bad breath you need to control/kill off the bacteria creating the sulphur and ensure your tonsils are as clean as possible.
That’s a simplified version of the process but that’s pretty much what happens.
If you want to learn more about tonsil stones, their development and symptoms, then check out this study.
Remove the tonsil stones
Now that you know why the smell is caused, it’s time to move onto the first step… removing the tonsil stones – after all they are causing the smell.
Here are a few methods you can do:
- Using your finger
- Using a Q-tip
- Using a dental irrigation syringe
- Using a water pik
- Gargling salt water
- Using a lighted pik
- Coughing
It’s up to you which one you use, they’re all effective once you get the hang of them. However, if you want to get rid of the tonsil stones fast then I recommend you use one of the tools (water pik, dental syringe, lighted pik). The just make the entire process much easier and more efficient.
Maintain good oral health
This might sound pretty simple, and you probably already think you’re doing a good job of it. But I’m sorry to say, brushing your teeth once when you get up in the morning and once before you go to bed isn’t quite going to cut it. No matter what you’ve been told by your dentist.
I know it’s annoying (I felt the same way when I found out) but that’s just how it is.
Instead, I recommend you brush and floss your teeth 3-4 times per day – once after every meal and before you go to bed. This way your mouth will be clear of all the little pieces of food, dead cells and mucus that build up when you eat. So they won’t be able to make their way back to your tonsils.
And not only that but you’ll also be getting rid of that bad bacteria as well.
I would also invest in a tongue scraper as they’re great for ridding your tongue of this bacteria. They’re relatively inexpensive and I’m sure you won’t have a hard time finding them.
Use a mouthwash
Gargling a mouthwash is a great way to mask the smell given off by your tonsil stones. You just need to make sure you use the correct the right kind of mouthwash.
Use one that contains Zinc compounds and Chlorine Dioxide, and that doesn’t contain any alcohol. The former will fight off the sulphur compounds produced by the bacteria and the latter reduces your salvia levels, which gives the bacteria more freedom to do what it wants.
Because of this it’s really important that you use mouthwash on a daily basis.
However, be aware that your fresh breath will not last all day, it’ll likely give out after a few hours. But don’t get discouraged, having fresh breath for a few hours is better than not having it at all!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read through my post, I hope you take advantage of my advice. If you want to stop your bad breath then you need to make treating it a daily habit. Otherwise it’ll never go away.