Tonsil stones may be tiny little things, but they pack a big, nasty punch! Sometimes they can become such a burden that a tonsil stone sufferer will consider removing their tonsils completely just to get rid of them…
So, can you get a tonsillectomy for tonsil stones? Yes, you can get a tonsillectomy to permanently get rid of tonsil stones. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. Tonsil stones will no longer be able to form without tonsils. However, tonsillectomies are generally reserved for severe tonsil stone cases.
What Are The Tonsils?
The tonsils are a pair of fleshy, soft tissue masses that are located in the back of the throat (WebMD). The tonsils are a part of the immune system and are designed to help fight off infection.
Tonsils are naturally covered with small pockets and flaps called tonsil crypts. These crypts are able to trap bacteria, food particles, mucus and other debris. The accumulation of bacteria and debris is what results in tonsil stones.
Despite their intended purpose of fighting off infections, the tonsils sometimes cause more harm than good. Chronic issues such as repeated tonsillitis, severe tonsil stones and/or consistent swollen tonsils may become too much of a burden. In this case, the tonsils may be removed.
What Is A Tonsillectomy?
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed using a scalpel. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and is performed within 30 minutes to an hour.
Tonsillectomies are typically reserved for children and advised against for adults unless medically necessary. This is due to how difficult the recovery process becomes with age. Children tend experience less pain and a quicker recovery from the surgery in comparison to adults.
Getting a tonsillectomy is a surefire way of getting rid of tonsil stones for good. Without tonsils, the tonsil stones will have nowhere to form. If you get a tonsillectomy, you can rest assured that you will not have to deal with tonsil stones or any of their side effects again.
Doctors Hesitate To Recommend Tonsillectomies For Tonsil Stones…
Tonsil stones are rarely severe enough to require a tonsillectomy; so it’s typically recommended to treat them at home.
Though they may be gross and annoying to deal with, tonsil stones are actually harmless to human health. Because of this, doctors are quite hesitant to perform the surgical procedure for a such a “harmless” problem.
However, there are some cases in which a doctor would agree that a tonsillectomy is a viable solution for tonsil stones.
Some people are unable to remove their tonsil stones due to having a sensitive gag reflex. This means that the tonsil stones can continue to accumulate bacteria, food particles and debris, causing them to become bigger and bigger over time. In such a case; tonsil stones may become so big that they hinder a person’s ability to swallow, swell up the tonsils, tear through the tonsil crypts and even cause the tonsils to bleed. A doctor will likely agree that a tonsillectomy is necessary to avoid complications with swallowing and/or tonsil infection and pain.
Other people may have copious amounts of tonsil stones at a time; causing them to have chronic bad breath. The bad breath caused by tonsil stones can sometimes become too much for a person to bear on a daily basis. A case of tonsil stones like this may be severe enough to require a tonsillectomy.
Check out these quick-lists on when you should and shouldn’t consider a tonsillectomy:
When To Consider Getting A Tonsillectomy For Tonsil Stones:
- If you have chronic bad breath caused by tonsil stones.
- If tonsil stones are negatively affecting your daily life.
- If you get multiple tonsil stones at a time.
- If your tonsils are swollen, large and bothersome due to tonsil stones.
- If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing due to large amounts of tonsil stones.
- If your doctor agrees that a tonsillectomy is necessary.
When NOT To Consider A Tonsillectomy For Tonsil Stones:
- If you get occasional tonsil stones.
- If tonsils stones do not affect your daily life.
- If you only get 1-2 tonsil stones at a time.
- If your tonsil stones can be easily prevented with diet, oral hygiene or lifestyle changes.
- If your doctor believes a tonsillectomy is unnecessary.
Can You Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones WITHOUT A Tonsillectomy?
Yes! It’s possible to get rid of tonsil stones without a tonsillectomy! There are various home remedies meant for getting rid of tonsil stones without doctor visits or surgery.
Tonsil stones can be caused by a variety of different factors. The most common include: eating and drinking too much dairy, consuming too much sugar, drinking too much alcohol, having a dry mouth, smoking, neglecting oral hygiene, and more.
That being said, here are some of the most common ways people get rid of tonsil stones at home:
- Avoiding dairy products
- Avoiding sugary foods and drinks
- Cleaning out the tonsils with a water flosser
- Avoiding alcohol
- Gargling a homemade saltwater solution
- Rinsing with an oxygenating mouthwash
- Quitting smoking
If you’d like a step-by-step method for getting rid of tonsil stones at home, please read my ultimate guide to getting rid of tonsil stones (click here to see it). I would highly recommend checking it out if you’re having trouble getting rid of your tonsil stones. It’s exactly what I did to get rid of mine; and the same process has worked for many other people.
Conclusion
Most cases of tonsil stones are not severe enough to require surgical intervention. Normally, tonsil stones can be safely and effectively treated at home with over-the-counter products, home remedies, diet and/or lifestyle changes.
However, you can get a tonsillectomy if you’re suffering with tonsil stones. Some cases of tonsil stones are so severe that they reduce a person’s quality of life despite the fact that they are not inherently a health threat.
Please talk to your doctor if you believe your case of tonsil stones is severe enough to be treated with surgery.