Tonsil stones form when debris such as food, dead cells, bacteria, and other substances, becomes trapped in the tonsils. The debris hardens as calcium builds up around it, forming tonsil stones. These stones are also called “tonsil calculi” or “tonsilloliths.” They are usually visible as white or yellowish lumps.
Tonsil stones are generally easy to extract, and some people remove them when they cough. Gargling with salty water may also dislodge them. A person may need to gargle vigorously if the stones are well established.
People with tonsil stones may be able to loosen them by gently pressing on the surrounding tissue with a cotton swab. It is better to push the stone forward by positioning the swab behind the stone. The tonsil stone then falls into the mouth instead of into the throat.
People with tonsil stones often pick them out. Some people can feel their tonsil stones, while others cannot. This seems to be related to the size and volume of the tonsil stones.
Mouth Wash
Mouthwash, also called oral rinse, is a liquid product used to rinse your teeth, gums, and mouth. It usually contains an antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live between your teeth and on your tongue.
Gently swishing a nonalcoholic mouthwash around the mouth can help loosen tonsil stones and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Having fewer bacteria can help prevent tonsil stones from forming. Nonalcoholic mouthwash is available in drugstores and online.
Some people use mouthwash to fight against bad breath, while others use it to try to prevent tooth decay. It’s also important to understand that different mouthwash product formulas contain different ingredients, and not all mouthwashes can help with tonsil stones.
Best Mouthwash For Tonsil Stones
The most important action you can take to try to prevent tonsil stones is practicing good oral hygiene. By properly brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing, and using an alcohol-free mouthwash, you can lower the number of bacteria in your mouth, which may have an impact on tonsil stone development. Here is a list of some of the best non-alcoholic mouthwash for tonsil stones:
Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection CPC
Dental experts recommend options that contain Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) since they’re the standard for efficacy across alcohol-free mouthwash options. The Crest Pro-Health is a good place to start, though there are other comparable generic options out there, too. Gently swishing a Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection mouthwash around the mouth can help loosen tonsil stones and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth.
CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash
For people with sensitive gum, dentists recommend Closys Alcohol-Free Mouthwash. It’s more expensive than most products, but it’s awesome for people with sensitive teeth. It relies on Clorodtan, which is a patent ingredient in Closys that kills 99 percent of the bad bacteria in ten seconds and help you prevent or get rid of tonsil stones.
Listerine Total Care Alcohol-Free
A lot of mouthwashes, including mainstays like Listerine, have alcohol-free versions which are effective at helping you prevent or remove tonsil stones. The active ingredient in this Nightly Reset option is fluoride — which Bell notes specifically helps reduce the risk for cavities —but also contains bacteria-reducing xylitol. It’s one Listerine option that we’ve tried and loved for freshening breath while whitening over time.
Aesop Bain de Bouche Mouthwash
Beyond your typical drugstore mouthwashes, there’s this Aesop option that contains a blend of clove, mint, and tea tree oils. “Many essential oils including peppermint, clove, and even tea tree are effective at killing bacteria and help prevent tonsil stones from forming. They include a wide variety of organic compounds that can slow or stop the growth of bacteria. Essential oils can also be helpful for remineralization and soothing gums.
