How to Remove Tonsil Stones at Home

Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard, yellowish, globules in the back of throat. They are formed when mucus from the nasal passages, bacteria and food particles build up in the crypts of the tonsils. Small tonsilloliths can be barely noticeable and are often swallowed or expelled in a cough. As the stones grow larger, they can begin to cause irritation or discomfort. Read on for some suggestions on how to remove tonsil stones without a doctor's assistance.

It's sometimes possible to loosen tonsilloliths without the need to put anything in your mouth. Rubbing the tongue against the back of the throat may do the trick. Or try holding your head back, raising your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallowing.

One common method to remove stones is to press a finger or moistened cotton swab against the bottom of the tonsil and push upward to squeeze them out. The downside to doing this is that it can stimulate the gag reflex. To prevent this you could try first coating your tonsils with an anesthetic throat spray.

If you prefer a gentle way to loosen the stones gradually over time, try drinking several glasses of a carbonated, sugar-free drink such as soda water every day. Gargling daily with a vinegar and water solution is also recommended.

If you look through your manicure set, you may find a tool useful for dislodging tonsilloliths. An ear curette looks like a small shallow spoon with a long handle. It's designed to remove earwax. Its size is appropriate for removing stones from the tonsil crypts.

Pressurized water sprayed into the tonsil crypts can flush out the stones. If you have a Waterpik irrigator, use the tongue attachment, adjust it to its lowest setting and aim it directly at the stone. Alternatively, fill a turkey-baster with water, point it at the stone and squeeze the bulb.

Some people have had success with using a medicine dropper to suck tonsilloliths out of the crypts. First fill the dropper with salt water and spray it over your tonsils. This may help bring stones to the surface. Squeeze the bulb of the dropper, point it at a stone and release. With luck, the stone will be sucked into the tube.

Some of the methods people have used for removing tonsil stones are potentially dangerous and are definitely not recommended. Never stick a needle, toothpick or any small sharp object into your mouth. Not only could you severely damage your tonsils, there's the risk that you could swallow the object and end up in the emergency room.

Knowing how to remove tonsil stones is helpful, but it's much better to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Good oral hygiene is the key. Brush you teeth when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed. Brush or scrape your tongue to clean away bacteria. Gargle with an antiseptic mouth wash or baking soda solution daily. If you're prone to tonsilloliths, you may also wish to gently brush the surface of your tonsils with a soft toothbrush to loosen any that may be forming.