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You’re experiencing all of the symptoms of tonsil stones… Bad breath, gross taste in your mouth, the feeling of having something stuck in your throat and more. But here’s the catch: The tonsil stone that’s causing you all of these problems is so deep and hidden within your tonsil that you can’t get it out!
It’s frustrating, and I’m sure that waiting around for the tonsil stone to come out by itself is the last thing you want to do.
So, what’s the best way to remove deep, hidden tonsil stones? The best way to remove deep, hidden tonsil stones is to flush the tonsils out with water. This can be done using a water flosser. The gentle stream of water from the water flosser allows deep tonsil stones to flow out of the tonsil quickly and easily providing immediate relief.
Besides the water flosser method, there are a couple of other ways you can remove deep tonsil stones. Keep reading for details:
Where Are Tonsil Stones Located?
Tonsil stones are located within the tonsil crypts (where they form). The tonsil crypts are fleshy pockets and flaps that cover the tonsils. They are a completely normal part of the tonsil anatomy.
The tonsil stone is easily visible in the photo shown above. However, this is not always the case. Tonsil stones sometimes form so deep within the tonsil crypts that they are unable to be seen.
Although hidden tonsil stones tend to be more difficult to remove than visible tonsil stones, there are a few effective ways to get them out.
How To Remove Deep, Hidden Tonsil Stones:
1. Use a Water Flosser
Water flossers are an excellent way to remove deep tonsil stones. It’s actually my top recommended way of getting rid of tonsil stones. A water flosser is a device that shoots out a stream of water to floss between the teeth and clean the gums.
Besides being a very effective dental tool, it makes a great tonsil stone removal tool as well. The stream of water does an A+ job at blasting the nasty tonsil stones out of the tonsil while cleaning away tonsil stone-causing bacteria.
Here’s the water flosser I recommend: Waterpik Water Flosser
I also recommend this smaller, travel-friendly version: Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser
How to Use a Water Flosser to Remove Tonsil Stones:
- Using a flashlight, shine the light into your mouth and look in the mirror to locate your tonsils.
- Lean over the sink to avoid mess.
- With the water flosser on a low, gentle setting; point the tip of the water flosser as close to the tonsil/tonsil crypts as you can.
- Allow the stream of water to irrigate the tonsil crypts. The tonsil stone(s) should flow out quickly and with ease!
2. Use a Curved-Tip Medicine Dropper
A curved-tip medicine dropper can be used to “vacuum” the tonsil stone out of the tonsil crypt. The dropper can also be used to irrigate the tonsils similar to using a water flosser, but it will not be as effective due to the dropper’s small amount of water and lack of pressure.
How to Use a Medicine Dropper to Remove Tonsil Stones:
- Using a flashlight, shine the light into your mouth and look in the mirror to locate your tonsils.
- While squeezing the bulb of the dropper to let the air out, carefully place the tip of the dropper inside of the tonsil crypt where you think the tonsil stone is hiding.
- Release pressure from the bulb to create a vacuum effect in the tonsil crypt.
- Remove the dropper from your mouth to check if the tonsil stone has been suctioned out.
It should be noted that this method would work best if the tonsil stone is small. Otherwise, the tip of the dropper may not be large enough to grab hold of the tonsil stone.
If you try this method, be sure to use a dropper with a curved tip as it will be too difficult to place a straight-tip dropper in the correct spot.
3. Use a Cotton Swab or Your Finger (The Right Way!)
If done correctly, a cotton swab or your finger can be used to push out deep, hidden tonsil stones.
How to Use a Cotton Swab or Your Finger to Remove Tonsil Stones:
- Using a flashlight, shine the light into your mouth and look in the mirror to locate your tonsils.
- Use your finger or cotton swab to apply pressure at the base of where your tonsil stone is located.
- Gently push along the tonsil toward the opening of the tonsil crypt to allow the stone to come out.
The key to this method is applying pressure underneath the tonsil stone so it can be pushed toward the tonsil crypt easily. Squeezing above or on top of the tonsil stone could potentially push it deeper into the tonsil crypt, so be careful!
If you decide to use your finger, please be sure to wash your hands (and under your nails) thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap. You don’t want to get any nasty bacteria in your mouth or around your tonsils!
Conclusion On How To Remove Deep, Hidden Tonsil Stones
When it comes to removing deep, hidden tonsil stones; nothing can beat the water flosser. The stream of water allows the tonsil stones to flow out easily. Plus, cleaning out the tonsils helps prevent the formation of tonsil stones by clearing away the bacteria that causes them. If you want to invest in a good tonsil stone remover/preventer, TonsilStoneCure recommends the Waterpik Water Flosser or the Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser. If you don’t want to commit to a water flosser just yet, check out a cheaper alternative by clicking here.
The medicine dropper “vacuum” method can work quite well, but it mostly depends on the size of your tonsil stones and the shape of your tonsils. If you find that the vacuum method doesn’t work, the medicine dropper could be used similarly to the water flosser, but it probably won’t be as effective due to the lack of pressure and small amount of water that comes out of it. At the very least, a medicine dropper could be used to help clear away some bacteria from the tonsil crypts.
If done correctly, the cotton swab/finger method can work very well, but it will only remove the tonsil stones. The tonsil crypts will not be cleared away of any bacteria, so you may need to take extra measures to prevent the tonsil stones from coming back.