There’s a lot of mixed information and opinions on whether or not certain foods and drinks cause tonsil stones. For some, diet has a direct correlation to their tonsil stones; while others get tonsil stones no matter what they eat. Unfortunately, this makes it pretty difficult to tell people exactly what they should and shouldn’t avoid if they’re trying to get rid of tonsil stones.
So, does a tonsil stone prevention diet exist?
Although there’s no straightforward “tonsil stone prevention diet”, there are some ways you can adjust your diet to reduce or possibly get rid of tonsil stones completely.
Here are some of the most common diet changes and tips that have helped people prevent and get rid of tonsil stones:
Stay Hydrated
Tonsil stones are made up of a bacteria that is classified as “anaerobic“. This bacteria thrives in low-oxygen, dry places. Because of this, it’s very important to stay hydrated and keep the mouth moist. Doing so will create an oxygen-rich environment that inhibits the formation of tonsil stones.
Be sure to always have water with you and drink it regularly throughout the day to avoid getting dehydrated. If tonsil stones are causing you to have bad breath, staying hydrated will help reduce the smell as well. Utilizing oxygenating mouthwashes or toothpastes can also promote a moist mouth throughout the day.
Avoid Dairy Products
Dairy seems to be the main cause of tonsil stones for a lot of people (including myself). According to the Lung Institute, dairy products trigger mucus production and thicken the mucus. Mucus (along with bacteria and other debris) is what makes up tonsil stones.
If you think dairy may be your problem, try eliminating foods/drinks such as milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. for at least 2-4 weeks. Take note of whether or not your tonsil stones decrease or go away during this time. If you find that your tonsil stones go away after not consuming dairy; continue to avoid it and use plant-based alternatives if necessary.
Cut Down On Sugar
Not only does tonsil stone bacteria thrive in low-oxygen, dry places, but it thrives on sugar as well! Natural sugar from fruits is fine, but it’s best to avoid foods and drinks containing refined sugar. Sugar also contributes to dry mouth, further creating the perfect environment for tonsil stones to grow.
You may be eating breath mints or chewing gum regularly if you’re trying to mask bad breath caused by tonsil stones. Be sure to check the ingredients; If they have sugar in them, chances are they’re actually contributing to your tonsil stones and bad breath instead of getting rid of them! Make a switch to sugar-free mints and gum. They will help generate saliva in the mouth to prevent tonsil stones and ease bad breath.
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Reducing your alcohol intake goes hand in hand with staying hydrated and cutting down on sugar. Dry mouth, a common side effect of drinking alcohol, will help create a good environment for anaerobic bacteria to flourish. In addition, alcoholic beverages often contain a lot of sugar. The sugar will feed the anaerobic bacteria and contribute to dry mouth as well.
If you think that your tonsil stones are caused by alcohol, try limiting how much you drink or avoid it altogether. If you still want to enjoy alcoholic beverages, it may be helpful if you take frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration.
Limit Coffee & Soda
Coffee and soda have a low pH, meaning they are both acidic. Acidic conditions promote the growth of tonsil stone causing bacteria just like dry mouth and sugar does. If you’re a regular coffee/soda drinker and you suffer from tonsil stones, try eliminating coffee/soda from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if your tonsil stones go away.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet is a great start to creating a tonsil stone prevention diet. It’s highly unlikely that fruits or vegetables cause tonsil stones, so eating more of them and replacing processed foods with whole foods might play a significant role in reducing your tonsil stones.
Fruits and vegetables naturally contain high amounts of water, which is perfect for fighting tonsil stones. They’ll help keep you hydrated to prevent the growth of tonsil stone-causing bacteria.
Experiment On Your Own…
I’ve done a lot of research on tonsil stones as I’ve gone through my own journey of getting rid of them, and what I’ve noticed is that the cause of tonsil stones seems to vary greatly among individuals.
Many don’t even have a clue what the culprit behind their tonsil stones could be. That being said; it would be worth experimenting by eliminating certain foods/drinks that you tend to consume often for a couple of weeks at a time.
This may help you find a certain food or drink that causes your tonsil stones to form. Just remember that many people still get tonsil stones no matter what they eat, so a change in diet may not be the answer for everyone.
Top Product Recommendations For Getting Rid Of Tonsil Stones:
While a change in diet can help get rid of tonsil stones, sometimes it’s just not enough. Here are a few products that are great for removing and preventing tonsil stones:
Waterpik Water Flosser: Safely and easily remove tonsil stones with a water flosser. Point the water flosser at the crevices where the tonsils tones are located. The steady stream of water will dislodge the tonsil stones and cleanse the area (learn more here).
TheraBreath 24-Hour Oral Rinse: Oxygenating daily mouth wash that helps fight tonsil stone and bad-breath causing bacteria.
TheraBreath Deluxe Tonsil Stone Kit: A dentist-created kit that has everything you need to fight against tonsil stones.
Airgoesin Tonsil Stone Removal Tool Kit: A kit that comes with a light up tool that’ll help you easily locate and dislodge tonsil stones.
Tongue Scraper: Remove bacteria and bad breath causing residue that lives on the surface of the tongue.
If you realize that a certain food or drink that you love is causing you to get tonsil stones, don’t worry too much! You may still be able to enjoy the food or drink while effectively preventing the tonsil stones from forming. My top recommended tonsil stone prevention routine will tell you exactly what you need to do:
How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones
Doing this simple routine could prevent or even fully get rid of your tonsil stones regardless of what you eat. However, if you find that a certain food or drink is causing you a lot of tonsil stone trouble, it may be worth it to avoid it anyway.