This content uses affiliate links. Read our disclaimer for more info.

 

Welcome to my guide on how to get rid of tonsil stones forever! All of the information here is based off of my relentless research and personal experience from having persistent tonsil stones for over a year. Many people (including myself) have completely gotten rid of their tonsil stones using the simple method I’m going to share.

This guide may seem long, but don’t worry. It’s straightforward with extra options and information added in! My goal with this guide is to tell you the easiest and most effective way of getting rid of tonsil stones, as well as a few other tips and tricks you may want to try. I promise that the relief from no longer having to deal with tonsil stones and bad breath is worth it!

 

 

If you’re looking to get rid of tonsil stones for good, you’ve come to the right place. I had a terrible experience with tonsil stones that lasted a little over a year…

Shortly after getting over a bad case of tonsillitis, I was plagued with mysterious tonsil stones on a consistent, daily basis. It was awful.

I was constantly dealing with every tonsil stone side effect in the book. Itchy/painful ears and throat, difficulty swallowing, horrid taste in mouth and worst of all… BAD BREATH!

Tonsil stones caused me so much stress and I needed to do something about it. So I took a trip to the doctor to see what I could do.

It didn’t go so well.

He did not take me seriously in the slightest. My worries, troubles and stress were written off to be no problem at all. I was crushed… And on top of all that, the doctor’s visit costed me 100 dollars! I paid $100 to be told to “deal with it”.

I then decided I needed to take matters into my own hands. I spent the next several months testing out every possible tonsil stone product and home remedy there is. Eventually, I found out the easiest and most effective way to prevent and get rid of tonsil stones.

I have now been completely tonsil stone-free for nearly two years. I no longer have to deal with gross tonsil stones all the time and my breath is fresh. I’m going to tell you how to do it.

 

But before we get into everything, let’s talk about what tonsil stones even are.

 

What Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsilloliths, commonly referred to as tonsil stones, are a build-up of bacteria, food particles and other debris that become trapped in the crypts of tonsils where they harden or calcify (WebMD).

Here’s an example of how one may look:

Notice the white accumulation in the tonsil. Not very pretty, right?

Tonsil stones often come with a variety of side effects. These side effects include (but are not limited to)

• Bad breath (#1 side effect)
• Bad taste in mouth
• Sensation of having something stuck in your throat
• Itchy ears and/or throat
• Painful ears and/or throat
• Difficulty swallowing

All of these symptoms are almost immediately relieved once the tonsil stone(s) is removed and prevented from coming back. Here’s how to get rid of them in a few simple steps…

 

How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones:

 

1. Clean Tonsils With A Water Flosser

Using a water flosser is by far my TOP recommendation for getting rid of tonsil stones! I believe that just about everyone, no matter what is causing their tonsil stones, could benefit from a water flosser.

A water flosser is a tool used to floss between the teeth using a stream of water. It’s a very effective dental hygiene tool.

So, why is it so great for tonsil stones?

Tonsil stones are caused by trapped bacteria and debris that calcify and harden within the tonsil crypts. That being said, keeping the tonsils and tonsil crypts clean will prevent the tonsil stones from forming. This is where the water flosser comes in.

You can use a water flosser to gently irrigate your tonsils. This will remove tonsil stones and keep the tonsils clean. Using it in the morning will help alleviate bad breath throughout the day; while using it at night will cleanse out your tonsils and help prevent the stones from forming overnight.

Here are the top two water flossers that I recommend:

---

Click HERE to see the Waterpik Water Flosser on Amazon

---

---

Click HERE to see the Cordless Advanced Water Flosser on Amazon

---

 

How To Use A Water Flosser For Tonsil Stones:

1. Shine a flashlight into your mouth and look into a mirror to locate your tonsils/tonsil stones.
2. Point the tip of the water flosser as close to your tonsil/tonsil crypts as you can.
3. Lean over the sink to avoid mess.
4. On a gentle pressure setting, let the water stream flow and irrigate the tonsils.
5. Allow the tonsil stones to fall out and continue as needed.

 

How Often Should You Clean Your Tonsils?

The answer to this depends on how severe your case of tonsil stones is. Some may find it necessary to do it every day while others may only do it once a week or a couple of times per month.

If you suffer from consistent tonsil stones, you may find that you need to clean your tonsils quite often in the beginning. Then, as time goes on, you may be able to reduce how many times you use the water flosser.

*I got rid of my tonsil stones by using the water flosser once a day. I now only need to use it once or twice a week.

 

Is It Safe To Clean The Tonsils With A Water Flosser?

Yes! It’s completely safe and doctor recommended. Just keep in mind that the tonsils are very delicate and easy to damage. You should have no problem as long as you’re using the water flosser on a low pressure setting. The water flosser may be added to your daily oral hygiene routine if necessary.

 

Pros and Cons of using a Water Flosser for Tonsil Stones:

PROS

• Easy to use
• Removes most tonsil stones quickly and easily
• Cleanses tonsil-stone causing bacteria from tonsils
• Freshens breath by removing bad-breath bacteria from tonsils
• Serves a double purpose (tonsil stone removal/prevention and dental flosser)

CONS

• May not be able to remove some tonsil stones (tonsil stones that are too large or deep may require removal by a doctor)
• May cause tonsils to bleed if high pressure setting is used
• May trigger gag reflex

 

2. Gargle With A Good Mouthwash

When trying to get rid of tonsil stones, it’s imperative that you avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol! Why? Because alcohol dries out the mouth, and tonsil stone-causing bacteria thrives in dry, low-oxygen places.

Be sure to use a mouthwash that does not contain any alcohol. Or better yet, use an oxygenating mouthwash. An oxygenating mouthwash contains ingredients that create oxygen in the mouth. This makes it difficult for tonsil stone and bad breath-causing bacteria to live in the mouth.

Here is the oxygenating mouthwash I recommend:

---

Click HERE to see Therabreath Oral Rinse on Amazon (Mild Mint)

---

I like and recommend this mouthwash from TheraBreath because they make products specifically targeted at getting rid of tonsil stones. The flavor is mild and does not burn the mouth, yet it does a great job at freshening breath. If you’d like a stronger, mintier mouthwash, check out Therabreath Oral Rinse in the flavor Icy Mint (Click Here).

Some people are able to get rid of tonsil stones by using an oxygenating mouthwash alone, but this isn’t always the case. I find it to be most effective when used in conjunction with the water flosser.

Click here to see the reviews of this mouthwash on Amazon.

 

3. Avoid Common Causes Of Tonsil Stones

This step may or may not be necessary. The reason for this is that some of us just got unlucky with our tonsil anatomy. Some may have tonsils with more/larger tonsil crypts (pockets and flaps that naturally cover the tonsils), making it easier for tonsil stones to form without much of a root cause.

That being said; diet is a huge contributor to the formation of tonsil stones. It won’t always be the cause, but it often plays a big role. For that reason, it’s definitely worth trying to eliminate certain things from your diet to see if a particular type of food or drink is the cause of your tonsil stones.

Do you have to avoid every common cause of tonsil stones? No! Only if you actually know or think it’s causing them. Avoiding the things that you think contribute to your tonsil stones the most can significantly reduce or even completely get rid of tonsil stones in some cases.

 

Here Are The Most Common Causes Of Tonsil Stones:

 

Dairy:

Dairy is a TOP contributor to tonsil stones. Dairy may be the cause of your tonsil stones if:

• You feel like you have excess mucus in the back of your throat after consuming dairy products. You probably find it difficult to get rid of the excess mucus by drinking liquids.
• Your breath tends to smell very bad for a long time after consuming dairy products.
• You tend to produce an excess amount of saliva after consuming dairy products.

If you experience any of these symptoms or something similar; try cutting out products such as yogurt, milk, cream, cheese and butter. Replace these products with non-dairy alternatives such as nut or soy-based products. If dairy is your cause, it’s likely that the culprit is food that is heavy in dairy: milkshakes, pizza, cheese sandwiches, ice cream, chocolate milk, creamy soup, etc. A chocolate chip cookie that happens to have butter in the ingredients or a vanilla cake that’s baked with some milk may not cause you to get tonsil stones.

It should be noted that although dairy is a top contributor to tonsil stones, many people who completely avoid dairy still get them.

 

Excess Mucus/Post Nasal Drip:

Mucus is another top contributor to the formation of tonsil stones. This is due to the fact that tonsil stones are built up of mucus among other bacteria and debris.

Mucus may be the primary cause of your tonsil stones if they tend to form when you have allergies, a cold or the flu. Taking allergy medicine, nasal decongestants or using a good quality humidifier (like this one) may help reduce tonsil stones caused by mucus.

 

Nuts And/Or Seeds:

Nuts and seeds may be the cause of your tonsil stones depending on the shape and size of your tonsils and tonsil crypts.

Do nuts or seeds directly cause tonsil stones? Not exactly. However, nuts and seeds can easily get stuck in and around the tonsils while being chewed and swallowed due to their size, shape and texture.

Tonsil stones form as bacteria, food particles and debris get trapped in the tonsil crypts. Nuts or seeds may contribute to tonsil stone formation if small pieces get trapped in the tonsil crypts.

 

Coffee And/Or Tea:

Coffee generally has a low pH, meaning it’s an acidic drink. This can throw off the pH balance of your mouth, leading to an increase in tonsil stone bacteria. Like coffee, black tea is also acidic (though usually not as acidic as coffee). Lemon and other citrus teas also lean on the acidic side.

Acidity in tea varies depending on what kind it is. Truth be told, I can’t tell you exactly why certain types of non-acidic tea can sometimes cause tonsil stones. Though I’ve researched to no-end, I have not been able to find any science to back this up.

What I CAN say is that I have personally experienced getting tonsil stones the day after drinking non-acidic peppermint tea (Multiple times… So I know it’s the cause). That, and many people, both online and in-person, have expressed to me that they get tonsil stones after drinking too much tea (or coffee).

Perhaps certain types of tea just doesn’t react well with some of us regardless of the acidity level. Who knows? Tonsil stones are mysterious!

Just keep this in mind if you’re a regular coffee or tea-drinker. If you think either beverage is contributing to your tonsil stones, try either searching for a non-acidic alternative or cutting it out of your diet for a couple of weeks to see if they start going away.

 

Sugar:

The anaerobic bacteria that makes up tonsil stones thrives on sugar! Due to this, drinks and foods that are high in sugar may be the cause of tonsil stones for some people.

One of the top contributors in this category is soda. Soda is usually very high in sugar and people often drink it daily, sometimes even multiple times per day.

Consistent soda-drinking and/or sugary-food eating may cause a build up of bacteria in the tonsils. This can lead to tonsil stones over time.

Try cutting down on your sugar intake and replace processed foods with whole foods. Natural sugar from fruits should be completely fine!

 

Dry Mouth:

Not only does tonsil stone-causing bacteria thrive on sugar, but it thrives in dry places as well. A dry mouth is a good environment for tonsil stones to form!

Alcohol is a common cause of tonsil stones under this category. Drinking alcohol often causes dry mouth, especially throughout the night and morning after drinking. As a result, some people end up with tonsil stones soon after enjoying alcoholic beverages. In addition, alcoholic beverages sometimes contain high amounts of sugar which can also encourage tonsil stone formation.

The best way to combat dry mouth is to drink water regularly. If your dry mouth is caused by alcohol, be sure to drink sips of water between alcoholic drinks. It would also be a good idea to keep moisturizing mouth spray or dry mouth lozenges on hand to help stimulate saliva production throughout the day or night.

 

Size/Shape Of Your Tonsils:

The size and shape of your tonsils and tonsil crypts could be the biggest reason why you get tonsil stones. Some tonsils and their crypts are just more likely to form tonsil stones no matter what the person may be eating or drinking on a daily basis, how hygienic they may be or how healthy may be.

The easier it is for your tonsils to trap food particles, mucus and bacteria = the easier it is for tonsil stones to form. This means that larger tonsils, tonsils with large, deep crypts and/or tonsils with many crypts are more prone to getting tonsil stones.

Don’t worry if you think that the size and shape of your tonsils is the reason why you’re getting tonsil stones. It may be discouraging to not have a controllable cause, but that’s why I so highly recommend regular tonsil cleaning with a water flosser.

Otherwise, it may be helpful to speak to your doctor about tonsil procedures, such as the tonsillectomy or laser tonsillectomy, if your tonsils are giving you too many problems.

 

---

 

Other Recommendations:

I trust that the 3 steps listed in this guide is all you need to get rid of tonsil stones for good.

However, I want to show you a couple of products you may find helpful since many people don’t even realize they exist! They’re specifically meant for treating, getting rid of and removing tonsil stones.

Here they are:

 

THERABREATH TONSIL STONES DELUXE KIT

The TheraBreath Tonsil Stones Deluxe Kit is package of products made for eliminating and preventing tonsil stones.

The deluxe kit comes with:

• 2 TheraBreath Oral Rinses
• 3 TheraBreath Throat Sprays
• 1 TheraBreath toothpaste
• 2 AktivOxygen Serum
• 3 TheraBreath Nasal-Sinus Drops
• 1 Therabreath Mouth Lozenge box (24 Lozenges)

While this kit works perfectly for some people, it may not work for others. Keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to try it. Either way, all of the products included in the kit are great for reducing bad breath.

Personally, I saw great results in both tonsil stone and bad breath reduction with the tonsil stones deluxe kit; but the kit did not get rid of my tonsil stones completely. I believe I would have had to continue repurchasing it a couple more times if I wanted to get rid of my tonsil stones with the kit alone.

Based off of my personal experience and reviews by users of this kit, I would say that excellent results are mostly a hit or miss, but bad breath reduction (while using the products) is guaranteed!

Click here to see reviews of the TheraBreath Deluxe Tonsil Stones Kit on Amazon.

 

AIRGOESIN TONSIL STONE REMOVAL KIT

Before I got rid of my tonsil stones, I loved using the Airgoesin Lighted Tonsil Stone Removal Tool Kit to remove the nasty stones!

The tool lights up, allowing the stones to be seen when looking in the mirror. This made tonsil stone removal a much quicker and easier process since I didn’t have to worry about shining a flashlight into my mouth with one hand while using a short-and-flimsy q-tip to remove the stones with the other.

This kit comes with:

• Two Lighted Tonsil Stone Removal Tools
• 8 Interchangeable Tips (4 different tips x2)
• 2 Silicone Caps
• 2 Storage Boxes
• Stainless Steel Pick
• Batteries Included

It’s a great kit if you need to do some serious tonsil stone removal. Just remember that simply removing tonsil stones is most likely not going to get rid of your tonsil stones by itself.

Tonsil stones usually do not stop forming unless you get to the root cause. That’s why I recommend irrigating the tonsils with a water flosser so much. That way, the bacteria that causes the tonsil stones gets washed away.

Regardless, this kit is a nice upgrade from using your finger or q-tips to remove tonsil stones.

Click here to see reviews of the Airgoesin Lighted Tonsil Stone Removal Tool Kit on Amazon.

 

---

 

That’s How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones!

To summarize, the easiest and most effective way to get rid of tonsil stones is by irrigating the tonsils with a water flosser as often as needed, gargling with an alcohol-free, preferably oxygenating mouthwash daily, and avoiding food, drinks or habits that you think causes your tonsil stones (if necessary).

That’s it! This is a simple, straightforward guide you can follow if you want to get rid of tonsil stones and have better breath all while avoiding costly doctor visits or risky procedures like the tonsillectomy.

The information in this article is exactly what helped me (plus many other people) get rid of my tonsil stones. I’m sure that it can help you get rid of yours as well.

If you’d like more help in getting rid of tonsil stones, please check out the rest of my tonsil stone-related articles by clicking here. You can also read tonsil stone FAQs by clicking here.

Here are some more tonsil stone-related articles you may want to check out to learn how to get rid of tonsil stones:

• How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath From Tonsil Stones
• Tonsil Stone Symptoms: What To Look Out For
• How To Remove Deep, Hidden Tonsil Stones
• Where Do Tonsil Stones Come From?
• Are Tonsil Stones Dangerous? How Tonsil Stones Affect Your Health

Feel free to leave any comments or questions. I will get back to you as soon as possible! I would also love to hear if you’ve seen positive results after using this guide.

You’re on your way to being free of tonsil stones! I wish you the best of luck on your journey!